Tesco Credit Card stung me for £50

System

Any major debit / credit card has chargeback protection.
Credit cards also have S75 joint liability.

A cheque / bank transfer etc have no protection at all. Even if they were initially cheaper (which is unlikely) they could be much more expensive in the long run.

JethroUK wrote: »

Is there a cheaper way to pay for your foreign hotel fee without using a special credit card?

Direct bank transfer maybe?
Cheque?

Do all these attract exchange fee?

Maybe paying a small deposit and pay the rest in Euros when you get there?

virgo17

izools wrote: »

Only with their "Select Credit Card". All other accounts of theirs attract foreign usage fees.

I have the older Nationwide credit card that was issued in the days when a Flex account was worth having (to me anyway). It doesn't attract any foreign usage fees for purchases certainly not in Europe.

I'm just waiting to see if they try to move me off that when the card is due for renewal in a few months, as I don't qualify for the Select card.

yangptangkipperbang

Heng_Leng wrote: »

Any major debit / credit card has chargeback protection.

I would dispute that "chargeback" offers very much protection.

The chargeback system is voluntary and has no legal backing. It relies on the card issuer being able to recover monies from the trader and then returning it to the shopper. If no money can be recovered (for whatever reason) the card issuer is under no legal obligation to refund the customer from their resources.

Sect 75 offers that protection under the Law. That is why customers should only use their debit cards for purchases at locations that they are confident about. I would put UK supermarkets and major retailers in that category. I would NEVER use a debit card for internet purchases (other than Government sites: car tax, etc) - and that includes people like Amazon, with their highly complex financial/country of origin arrangements.

Many people are confused between S75 and chargeback, often quoting one when they mean the other. The banks are quick to seize this as an excuse for not paying out - especially when a customer uses the word "chargeback" (instead of S75), the banks can then quote the 120 day rule -or just wash their hands of it.

This gives a useful precis:

http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/problem/how-do-i-use-chargeback/

jennifernil

Another vote for Halifax Clarity.

Good exchange rate on purchases and cash withdrawals.

On cash you pay interest, but no other fees.

If you get the best rate it will cost you around £1 per month per £100 withdrawn.

And if you get a Halifax Reward account, and spend over £300 per month on the Clarity CC. you will get a £5 Reward.

dalesrider

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

The chargeback system is voluntary and has no legal backing. It relies on the card issuer being able to recover monies from the trader and then returning it to the shopper.

Not sure where voluntary comes into this.... As they are part of the agreement that card providers & retailers sign upto when agreeing to supply/take these card payments.
They CANNOT simply ignore these regulations.

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

If no money can be recovered (for whatever reason) the card issuer is under no legal obligation to refund the customer from their resources.

Makes no difference if the retailer is still trading or not. Money comes from their merchant bank.
ONLY if a retailer disputes the claim can a customer be redebited. For that they need a valid reason.

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

Many people are confused between S75 and chargeback, often quoting one when they mean the other. The banks are quick to seize this as an excuse for not paying out - especially when a customer uses the word "chargeback" (instead of S75), the banks can then quote the 120 day rule -or just wash their hands of it.

True people are confused. Which is why when calling their card provider they should only provide info on their issue and NOT start talking about S75 or chargeback.
The teams that deal with these are best placed to advise on the best way forward.

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

This gives a useful precis:

http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/problem/how-do-i-use-chargeback/

For a consumer group that is a very poorly written article.
No upper limits given.....
S75 is £30K
Chargeback has NO limit.
It is unclear as to just what each provides compared to the other.

chattychappy

dalesrider wrote: »

True people are confused. Which is why when calling their card provider they should only provide info on their issue and NOT start talking about S75 or chargeback.
The teams that deal with these are best placed to advise on the best way forward.

If people are confused, then the LAST people they should be relying on for "advice" is the person that answers the phone at the CC.

People need to understand the law, understand the system, and then assert their rights. This is not inconsistent with adopting a co-operative approach.

yangptangkipperbang

dalesrider wrote: »

Not sure where voluntary comes into this.... As they are part of the agreement that card providers & retailers sign upto when agreeing to supply/take these card payments.
They CANNOT simply ignore these regulations.

Sorry - but they can and do.

dalesrider wrote: »

Makes no difference if the retailer is still trading or not. Money comes from their merchant bank.

It makes every difference - suggest you read the Ts & Cs that users of the card system sign up to.

dalesrider wrote: »

For a consumer group that is a very poorly written article.
No upper limits given.....
S75 is £30K
Chargeback has NO limit.
It is unclear as to just what each provides compared to the other.

All the points you mention ARE covered ..................