Credit/debit card fees in the Channel Islands?

Nick_o_las

Hi

I'm from the British mainland and am going on holiday to Jersey this summer. I know it's part of the UK but it has a special status so......

If I use my Natwest credit and debit cards in the Channel Islands at POS or to withdraw cash, will the bank consider this a 'foreign transaction' and charge me a fee?

Many thanks in advance
Nick

c-m

I didn't think the islands were part of the UK, i thought they were a crown dependency.

opinions4u

Ask Nat West, but I think you'll be fine.

Halifax didn't charge me for using a debit card in a Gibraltar ATM last year, and there was no currency conversion fee on their credit card when the wife went mad on duty free stuff there!

I didn't think the islands were part of the UK, i thought they were a crown dependency.

Correct.

expatasia

Last time I was in Gib I got charged to use a card at an ATM - but it was Barclays and they are special.

rb10

opinions4u wrote: »

Ask Nat West, but I think you'll be fine.

With Natwest, I think they'll make a charge.

From their T&C leaflet (Section 6), they have different charges for transactions in the UK or abroad.

Since the Channel Islands are not part of the UK, the charges are as follows:

Cash withdrawals: 2% (min £2, max £5)
Debit card transactions: £1.25 per transaction

However ... they have (incorrectly) put in the 'transactions in the UK' section the cost of withdrawing cash from Natwest branches in the Channel Islands (even though the Channel Islands are not part of the UK). So it could be that by 'UK', they actually mean 'UK and Channel Islands', in which case you might be ok.

I wouldn't take the risk though - since it does say that you will be charged.

opinions4u wrote: »

Halifax didn't charge me for using a debit card in a Gibraltar ATM last year, and there was no currency conversion fee on their credit card when the wife went mad on duty free stuff there!

That's because Halifax don't charge based on your location, but just on the currency. Any sterling transaction, anywhere in the world, is free.

jhp

http://www.natwest.com/personal/current-accounts/g4/cards/abroad.ashx#tabs=section2

willstewart

I used my LloydsTSB debit card at a cashpoint in Jersey and it was just a normal transaction. Same paying for the hotel with my credit card when I checked in/out.

glider3560

Jersey and Guernsey were part of the UK banking system when I visited in 2003. The hotel I stayed in took a cheque with guarantee card.

All the ATMs were LINK. Most difficult choice was whether I wanted English or local notes!

If they want to charge, then you pop into a branch of your bank and withdraw cash over the counter.

billsavings

glider3560 wrote: »

If they want to charge, then you pop into a branch of your bank and withdraw cash over the counter.

and get charged by Nat West for useing your debit card 1.5% (minimum £2, maximum £4.50) according to the Nat West link in post 6 by JHP.

bouncydog1

Can't see any reason why your card will be treated any differently in CI to what it is in UK. Many of the CI banks are branches of the UK ones and are on the same charging structure. Visiting here is not like going overseas - beware though that there is no National Health service and in Guernsey no reciprocal health agreement, which means that if you need to see a Dr you will pay privately same as the residents. You will need travel insurance.

rb10

jhp wrote: »

http://www.natwest.com/personal/current-accounts/g4/cards/abroad.ashx#tabs=section2

Which contradicts their T&C leaflet linked to in my post.

'The UK' is different to 'The UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Gibraltar'.