MSE News: Metro Bank to charge for debit card use outside Europe

Toe-Jam

If your able to get a Halifax Clarity Card
If your not ,get a N&P Current account

Problem solved.

glider3560

Toe-Jam wrote: »

If your able to get a Halifax Clarity Card

The credit card could work out more expensive for cash withdrawals if you don't pay it off quickly.

But for purchases, I will definitely continue to use my Clarity card.

macalloa

huw01 wrote: »

Well according to their website it's anywhere within the Single European Payment Area.

Looking at good old wikipedia it's a bit more tricky to find where is in and out

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_Euro_Payments_Area

Isle of Man and Channel Islands off the travel list ! I'd say on first glance that the Canaries are in, but I could be wrong

I emailed MetroBank to enquire if the Canary Islands (Spain) and both Madeira and Cape Verde Islands (Portugal) came within the definition of Europe for this matter - and have been advised no.

That surprises me, so I replied such to the helpdesk assistant who responded.

I have an email address for a retail banking senior staff member at MetroBank, so I've asked for a second opinion.

As far as I know these islands come within the cover provided by Europe wide travel insurance - although that comparison may not be valid.

The change doesn't take effect until 18th March (worth doubling checking) so use of their debit card remains fee free in the short term at least.

I'll flag up the response I receive.

BTW - The Norwich & Peterborough Gold Account debit card is still fee free worldwide as Far as I'm aware.

macalloa

An apology to all.

I was confusing the Cape Verde Islands with the Azores - DOH !!!

However from a Google trawl it seems the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores do come within the scope of Europe in respect of SEPA.

Also some French overseas territories.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_Euro_Payments_Area

huw01

Just back from The Canaries, took out €100 which was £83.01 out of my account. I think it would be foolish to close the account as there is nothing to loose by keeping it open.

On another account I have it would have cost £83.01 + 2.99% + £2.75.

Quite a difference

macalloa

huw01 wrote: »

Just back from The Canaries, took out €100 which was £83.01 out of my account. I think it would be foolish to close the account as there is nothing to loose by keeping it open.

On another account I have it would have cost £83.01 + 2.99% + £2.75.

Quite a difference

Agreed, it's still a winner for Spain, Greece and Turkey etc.

I've not had a response from MetroBank yet - if I've read the wikipedia article correctly you would (should) be able to use your debit card in French overseas territories in the Caribbean and North America (which use the Euro) with no fees - so presumably the same applies to Spain and Portugal's possessions as mentioned above.

Just found this -

http://sepa.bnpparibas.com/sepa/en/about-sepa

To date, SEPA encompasses 32 countries including the 27 member states of the European Union (Eurozone and non-Eurozone members). Included also are European Economic Area (EEA) members - Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, as well as Monaco and Switzerland.
In addition, several territories and dependencies of European Union member states are also part of SEPA, i.e. the Aland Islands, the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, Reunion, Saint Barthlemy, Saint Martin, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and Gibraltar

macalloa

UPDATE

The senior staff member at MetroBank replied to confirm that the Canary Islands etc. DO come within the definition of "Europe" relevant to this issue and therefore they apply no fees for the use of their debit card in these locations.

Altarf

macalloa wrote: »

Agreed, it's still a winner for Spain, Greece and Turkey etc.

Spain and Greece, yes.

Turkey, no.

macalloa

Altarf wrote: »

Spain and Greece, yes.

Turkey, no.

Correct, my error.

aldredd

As someone else has said, Norwich & Peterborough still offer a current account with worldwide free withdrawals.
They've recently tightened up the rules on what constitutes an 'active' account, but is easily maintained with a few monthly standing orders in & out the account.
http://www.nandp.co.uk/current-account/