csma Credit card

schiff

This is not going to apply to many people on here, I would guess, but I thought I would post it anyway. The Civil Service Motoring Association has for many years had it's own credit card. Run by Frizzell Bank (which became a subsidiary of Liverpool Victoria), then taken over by Morgan Stanley and more recently by Goldfish! I don't know why nobody seems to want to keep it!

Its main attraction is - like Nationwide inter alia - that it has no loading for purchases in the EU. I've had a card for years and use it regularly in France. To the point:

Card holders are being circulated to invite 'friends and family who are csma members' to apply for a card if they haven't already got one. It only applies to people who are csma members, hence my opening comment.

Anyone who becomes a card holder before August 1st (not a lot of time to play with therefore) gets a £15 credit to their card and I do too. If you are interested please PM me - but remember only csma members please!

I have considered the referrers board but in view of the short time available, plus the fact that very few people (I guess!) will qualify, I have decided it's not worth it. I'm ready to be told off.

schiff

steve_wagner

Actually thats something nice and seems interesting. I would like to clarify if thats privately owned or is backed up by any government org.

And what are their interest charges/rates? Is that applicable round the globe like in US as well?

Regards
Steve

reserved

The Civil Service Motoring Association has for many years had it's own credit card. Run by Frizzell Bank (which became a subsidiary of Liverpool Victoria), then taken over by Morgan Stanley and more recently by Goldfish! I don't know why nobody seems to want to keep it!

Are you sure? The website says:" The csma Credit Card is issued by Liverpool Victoria Banking Services Limited, County Gates, Bournemouth BH1 3NQ"

No mention of Morgan Stanley or Goldfish!

schiff

reserved wrote: »

Are you sure? The website says:" The csma Credit Card is issued by Liverpool Victoria Banking Services Limited, County Gates, Bournemouth BH1 3NQ"

No mention of Morgan Stanley or Goldfish!

Having 'lived' through it, you can take my word for it! I have their recent letter on the matter in front of me as I write!

If you want to have confirmation ring them on 0800 373 191.

schiff

schiff

steve_wagner wrote: »

Actually thats something nice and seems interesting. I would like to clarify if thats privately owned or is backed up by any government org.

And what are their interest charges/rates? Is that applicable round the globe like in US as well?

Regards
Steve

It's just an organisation like many others with branches all over the country. You can read more about it on their website csma.uk.com (with www. in front!). Membership is over 400,000. I doubt that it has government backing - it's a private club type of organisation.

This promotion is more to get people to join the csma (it's free as far as I know - it is for me anyway) rather than get new people to take out the credit card. They are hoping - I assume - that the CC offer will get them to join the csma as well!

The CC conditions are similar to all the others and far too extensive to even summarise here. In addition to no loading for purchases in the EU, they do a 1% discount on fuel purchases anywhere in the world - which isn't a huge benefit but....

Outside the EU they do the industry-wide 2.75% loading - unfortunately.

HTH

schiff

James

Quick read of T&Cs

Biggest change is charging 3% commission on all Transactions which are not in sterling.

It doesn't say anywhere just how much a Goldfish Point is worth. Anyone know the answer?

CSMA had 1% discount on fuel.

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

I cancelled mine last month after holding it for over 10 years. I wasn't using it that regularly and it was more or less an emergency card.

Asked them for any BT offers. Said they could balance transfer at their normal rate - 17%.

I declined politely and cancelled the card.

napoleongsolo

I shall also be cancelling this card. The main reason for me having this card was the discount on fuel purchases and the no commission on transactions within the EU. This all comes to an end on 27th September.

I'm disappointed that the change in commission charging is in teeny weeny writing when the original benefit was a bold headline selling point. I expected a bit more honesty from the CSMA.

Anyone care to recommend a card for use when abroad?

Tweetinat

napoleongsolo wrote: »

Anyone care to recommend a card for use when abroad?

I believe Nationwide don't charge commission on foreign transactions.

dzug

napoleongsolo wrote: »

Anyone care to recommend a card for use when abroad?

Nationwide (Visa) as already mentioned or the Post Office (Mastercard)