Using Clarity Credit Card abroad

ReneB

I have used my Clarity credit card in the past in Switzerland and Spain to make cash withdrawals without incurring any charges. Last week I tried to withdraw 100Eurus from Santander in Granada and was charged 5Euros. Has there been a change in the terms and conditions for making cash withdrawals?

[Deleted User]

No change in the terms.

You'll have been charged by the ATM.

eDicky

The only thing that's changed is that Spanish banks have begun charging for ATM withdrawals on foreign cards. Charges vary and not all do so yet, so it's worth trying different ones.

virgo17

eDicky wrote: »

The only thing that's changed is that Spanish banks have begun charging for ATM withdrawals on foreign cards. Charges vary and not all do so yet, so it's worth trying different ones.

Having a property in Spain, I can confirm this is true. In addition, several greedy Spanish banks have begun charging for cash withdrawals made by debit cards from other Spanish banks.

System

Spanish banks have always charged - they get paid by Halifax (via Mastercard) for the cash withdrawals.

Some have now started to 'surcharge' beyond the standard Mastercard fee.

Fortyfoot

Which ones are charging, which ones are free?

Fortyfoot

virgo17

Heng_Leng wrote: »

Spanish banks have always charged - they get paid by Halifax (via Mastercard) for the cash withdrawals.

Some have now started to 'surcharge' beyond the standard Mastercard fee.

This is true. I have had a Spanish bank account for over ten years and they have always charged much more than a UK bank for equivalent service. This is for everything, not just withdrawals.

As 'Heng Leng' says they are now surcharging over and above.

For those withdrawing cash at an ATM whilst on holiday it will pay to read the ATM screen carefully and maybe compare with the ATM of another bank nearby.

Nebulous2

Fortyfoot wrote: »

Which ones are charging, which ones are free?

Fortyfoot

Here's a previous thread about it. Santander appears to be the worst offender, but the situation could be changing quickly.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5703378

Fortyfoot

It will be like going back to the good old days, wandering the streets looking for a good exchange rate.

I will take a pen and paper next week and try and note down the offenders!

Edit

It was 1.10e in money shop today.
1.135e on my Clarity card yesterday.

I have just been talking to two ladies withdrawing money from Caxia bank. They had been charged £5 for a withdrawal from Santander bank.

No charge from Caxia, not sure about the spelling!

Here is the free withdrawal bank.



Fortyfoot

Fortyfoot

Caixa Bank was still free a couple of weeks ago.

Fortyfoot

adindas

Reading this thread, it seems it is just a matter of time before most Banks in Spain will charge a fee for using their ATM, especially if you try to avoid DCC?

What about using Santander Zero or Santander 123 Debit card to withdraw money using Santander Cash Machine, has anyone tried it?

From their general T&C p.19 section 8.4 LINK to T&C

"8.4 Santander cash machine fees when using a Visa debit card or cash in Spain
Withdrawal from a Santander cash machine in Spain using a Visa debit card : Free
Currency conversion for using a Santander cash machine in Spain using a Visa debit card: Free"

Santander Zero and 123 is using Visa conversion rate which in many cases "marginally" lower than Mastercard conversion rate, but
- It is better than paying od about £2-5 for maximum of £300 limit per day.

- Also, you do not need to waste time looking for cash machines which do not charge you. It is just a matter of time before other banks will follow to charge foreign banks for using their ATM.

Comments, criticism is welcomed.