'Cash advance fee', When using Travelex online

jackieblack

Have a look at Martin's advice on this (check out tip 5)

gilesb

Yes, Martin's advice is good here! My purchase was a sterling prepaid debit card, so not strictly covered by it.

Leigh-Anne_60

M4RKM wrote: »

RBS / Natwest / Nationwide / Intelligent Finance / Halifax / HSBC / First Direct / Coventry Building Society, all do NOT charge any fee, when using a debit card to purchase foreign currency.

Abbey / A&L / Cahoot / Barclays / Co-op / Lloyds TSB / Smile - all charge a fee when using a debit card to purchase currency

Natwest DO charge - I was stung by this via ICE about 15 months ago approx. ICE now offer a bank transfer service to cicumnavigate these fees

gilesb

Leigh-Anne_60 wrote: »

Natwest DO charge - I was stung by this via ICE about 15 months ago approx. ICE now offer a bank transfer service to cicumnavigate these fees

Yes this seems to have happened since the RBS group, including NatWest swapped from issuing Maestro cards to issuing Visa Debit

bargainseeker100

really annoyed, got stung for £4.50 charge by Natwest using Visa delta. It's MYmoney, so why should they charge me for getting my money out in the UK ? Any tips to get this back ?

dzug1

bargainseeker100 wrote: »

really annoyed, got stung for £4.50 charge by Natwest using Visa delta. It's MY money, so why should they charge me for getting my money out in the UK ? Any tips to get this back ?

Well if you kick up a fuss with the bank they might relent to get you off the phone. If you can find anyone who knows what they are talking about - earlier posts suggest most bank staff haven't a clue.

OTH they might decide they are happy to be rid of you (a troublemaker who doesn't read the T&C:D) and allow you to take your custom elsewhere. If you do, choose the right bank as it's a fairly standard thing with most (though not all) visa debit cards.

gilesb

I got mine back from RBS. I note dzug's comments. I don't believe hiding this in the terms and conditions is fair, who is going to check/remember them before making what appears to be a routine transaction! I wasn't slow to voice my concerns to RBS. This fee is charged to them by Visa. I wonder if they have been as quick to raise their concerns with Visa?

Wannie_2

gilesb wrote: »

I got mine back from RBS. I note dzug's comments. I don't believe hiding this in the terms and conditions is fair, who is going to check/remember them before making what appears to be a routine transaction! I wasn't slow to voice my concerns to RBS. This fee is charged to them by Visa. I wonder if they have been as quick to raise their concerns with Visa?

If that is the case, not all cards pass on this charge.

gilesb

Wannie wrote: »

If that is the case, not all cards pass on this charge.

Indeed if you have a visa debit, check your conditions as I understand a few of the banks don't pass it on but I don't think they include the big 4

gilesb

If you are wanting to find a new bank that issues Visa cards but does not pass on foreign cash advance fees/purchases from Travelex I suggest you see M4RKM's comments above. However things have moved on, RBS and Nat West now do, so the next step is to check their current conditions. Clydesdale still issues Maestro.