AA 0% Purchase Credit Card - Hidden Costs!

J_Coutts

The AA 0% purchase credit card seems like a good deal, but beware you have to jump through hoops to get it and pay up to nearly £16.
This card is underwritten by Bank of Ireland and as part of their money laundering procedures they require certification of 4 separate documents to prove that you are who you say you are. They will accept certification, as detailed in their credit card application letter, by a solicitor, accountant, your bank or a medical doctor (personally think that they should not be recommending taking up valuable Dr time to sign forms). Well our bank (HSBC) said no, don't offer this service, the Dr said NO don't offer this service, don't have a solicitor or accountant. Contacted AA and they recommended the post office certification service which costs just under £8 for 3 documents - guess what AA require 4 documents so double the price! They confirmed to me that they will not refund any fees incurred as a result of their application process. My advice is go to another provider. I have taken out various credit cards over the years and never encountered anything like this. AA told me it is because the Bank of Ireland require this, they did say they had received some 'comments' from other applicants. Not positive I am guessing.

john1002

And they say that after all that, they will let you know if your approved!!

John

jonesMUFCforever

I wonder if you are all on the electoral roll.

john1002

I am and have never been asked for so much info.

John

Thrugelmir

J_Coutts wrote: »

I have taken out various credit cards over the years and never encountered anything like this.

The world of finance doesn't stand still. Individual lenders will determine their own rules in ensuring compliance with increasingly tougher regulation and other issues which maybe impacting them.

GingerBob_3

Over the years I've opened countless credit card accounts and never yet been asked to submit any documentation whatsoever. On principle, I wouldn't provide anything for them. Go to another provider and tell them in no uncertain terms why you're doing so.

GingerBob_3

Thrugelmir wrote: »

The world of finance doesn't stand still. Individual lenders will determine their own rules in ensuring compliance with increasingly tougher regulation and other issues which maybe impacting them.

You're right. In this case it's moving backwards.

Thrugelmir

GingerBob wrote: »

You're right. In this case it's moving backwards.

Banker bashing was all the craze. Now people don't like the consequences. Some people are never happy.

Biggles

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

I wonder if you are all on the electoral roll.

That's probably the answer. I took out an AA FuelSave credit card last week, also provided by Bank of Ireland UK. It was approved online without any documents and I'm already using it.

braddyboy

I can second this. I received the same draconian instructions despite having all the usual lines of credit including several credit cards. I'm actually just going through a remortgage and the list of document required was the same, except at least the bank has branches and will verify their own copies.
I didn't get as far as the OP, I called them to double check it was all required and then withdrew my application.

Charlton_Taz

I also applied for this card, and got the same dragonian requests for certified documentation. I am on electoral roll and never had such issues when applying for other credit cards. I had to go down the post office to get the items certified, and over a month later I finally got the actual credit card. Pointed out to them its over-the-top!