Santander Interest-free Credit Card Issue

ajb33

Hi there

I bank with Santander and in February applied for an interest free 123 Credit Card. I got the card and spent a fair amount on it, paying the minimum payment each month. I just checked my latest statement and I've realised that I've had interest charged on my account each month. I went to see the Branch Manager and I'm now opted into the 18month interest free offer but I was told I need to call the Credit Card team to try and get the previous interest charges refunded.

I was pretty sure that the card I signed up for was interest-free but Santander are saying that the interest free offer only became available in April. I'm certain that I wouldn't have applied for a new card unless it was interest free (as already have a credit card) and only made the minimum payment on that basis.

1. Has anyone else had a similar problem and got the interest charges refunded please?
2. Can anyone recall an interest free card offer available in February please?

Grateful for any input please. Many thanks!

SnowTiger

ajb33 wrote: »

Hi there

I bank with Santander and in February applied for an interest free 123 Credit Card. I got the card and spent a fair amount on it, paying the minimum payment each month. I just checked my latest statement and I've realised that I've had interest charged on my account each month. I went to see the Branch Manager and I'm now opted into the 18month interest free offer but I was told I need to call the Credit Card team to try and get the previous interest charges refunded.

I was pretty sure that the card I signed up for was interest-free but Santander are saying that the interest free offer only became available in April. I'm certain that I wouldn't have applied for a new card unless it was interest free (as already have a credit card) and only made the minimum payment on that basis.

1. Has anyone else had a similar problem and got the interest charges refunded please?
2. Can anyone recall an interest free card offer available in February please?

Grateful for any input please. Many thanks!

A news item appeared here about it on 3rd April, so I'd guess the 18 months offer didn't begin until then. It seems unlikely that MSE would have reported on it two months after it was introduced.

And the forum thread is here.

ajb33

Oh dear - thanks anyway SnowTiger.

Was there anything else available before that does anyone know please?!

Nebulous2

Santander had a separate18 months interest free on purchases card prior to including it on the 123 card.

YorkshireBoy

Since you've now started checking your monthly statements(!), have you noticed if you've been receiving the cashback?

bedfordboy

I've just realised the same has happened to me! I thought I had entered into a Santander credit card which had interest free rates on purchases. I applied in February 2014 as well. I only applied for the credit card as it was listed as one of the best credit cards for interest free purchases.

I realise how stupid I have been, as I thought the interest amounts quoted on the statements were the interest charge which would be due after the introductory offer was over.

The current headline Santander 1-2-3 credit card offer quotes '0% for 18 months on purchases from account opening', but lower in the detail it says 'Up to 56 days interest-free credit on purchases when you pay your balance in full and on time each month'.

Am I being slow or is this a contradiction?

I will call Santander tomorrow to discuss. I will feedback after.

ajb33

Thanks Nebulous2 - that's helpful ammo.

bedfordboy, I'll do the same and we can compare notes. There must have been an offer on then as suerly we couldn't both have been so stupid.

Think the 'Up to 56 days interest-free credit on purchases when you pay your balance in full and on time each month' part is just reference to free credit available with any credit card - i.e. once 18 month period runs out.

Thanks all.