Credit/debit card fees in the Channel Islands?

Nick_o_las

Ok, looks like there are going to be fees then, going by those T&Cs.

Thanks for your help everyone.
Nick

LordGumble

I live in Guernsey, and bank with the RBSI (Royal Bank of Scotland International) which is the offshore section of RBS in UK. Also, Wife banks with Natwest Offshore, again the offshore version of NatWest.

When we go to UK, theres no interest or fees for using our debit cards. Its all in UK currency. We can even pop into a UK branch of the bank, speak to someone and take out money with no fees!! Same as when dad visits us here. No charge. Credit cards are the same. The only charge we've noticed is if we use our credit cards in the cashpoints. You just get charged the advance fee from your provider. Nothing sinister

So in short, visit the Channel Islands. We all have major UK branches here. Only difference, Residents get tax differences from UK redidents. Shopping with a UK High St Bank Card...... Dont sweat it. I'm 99.9% sure you wont incur a charge, and 101.1% on a debit card you wont pay a ha'penny more!!

Oh quick edit.....

Nick, If you use your debit card in a bank machine in Jersey to withdraw cash on a UK account, you shouldn't be charged a dime. I visit Jersey for work a lot of the time, and when I withdraw money from my Guernsey account, What I draw, is what gets taken. Remember, Jersey and Guernsey are 2 SEPERATE jurisdictions, even though they are part of 'The Channel Islands'

Hope this helps. Enjoy your visit

chattychappy

LordGumble wrote: »

Nick, If you use your debit card in a bank machine in Jersey to withdraw cash on a UK account, you shouldn't be charged a dime.

I hope not! I would be disappointed to hear you lot are adopting US currency!

Nick_o_las

I'm so confused now!

According to the T&Cs posted by jhp it seems you pay charges but everyone seems to have had conflicting experiences.

rb10

Nick_o_las wrote: »

I'm so confused now!

According to the T&Cs posted by jhp it seems you pay charges but everyone seems to have had conflicting experiences.

It seems to be typical Natwest behaviour ... they don't know whether they are coming or going, and have two directly conflicting statements on their website.

Nick_o_las

Quick update, I just chatted with an online Natwest advisor and they told me the following. Looks like I'm going to be taken cash with me...


Natwest: Yes there would be a fee for using the cards abroad, I will send you a link to look at the information on using your debit card abroad, the credit card will have a 2.75% fee for currency conversion and if you withdraw at a cash machine there will also be a 3 % fee as well as a higher rate of interest charged for the cash advance, this is usually 24.9%

Me: so even though I would be withdrawing UK currency it still applies?

Natwest: Yes, the Channel Islands are not part of the Uk mainland

glider3560

If you only need to use cash machines, then any savings account with a LINK cash card (except Natwest) will work over there.