Santander 123 debit cards - no longer good deal for Santander ATMs in Spain ?

NoodleDoodleMan

Just received our new 1-2-3 Lite debit card in the mail, and read the small leaflet enclosed.

Had only ever used the card previously at Santander holes in the wall in Spain & Canaries because they were fee free.

We haven't been abroad since Covid so were unaware of any recent(ish) changes in the terms and conditions - now a foreign currency conversion fee of 2.95% is applied, although there is still no charge for using the Santander ATM.

This notice gives the revised (2020) fees - https://www.santander.co.uk/assets/s3fs-public/documents/123_lite_current_account_fee_information_document_oct20.pdf

However, on looking back at the previous (2017) fees notice, I see there was a 2.75% fee - https://www.santander.co.uk/assets/s3fs-public/documents/fid-123-lite-current-account.pdf

So I'm wondering why I thought this was a good deal for Spain ?

MSE now list this as a debit card from hell.....glad that I read that leaflet !!!

OnlyTheBestWillDo

Seriously have no idea as to what this thread is about....

Title states it's no longer a good deal at ATM, but then the body says that it still is.

I checked and there is still no charge for Santander ATM. So what is the purpose of this thread?

NoodleDoodleMan

Where in the body did I say that it still is a good deal ?

There are charges for using Santander ATMs in Spain - which specific debit card(s) are still exempt  - except for Private and Select accounts ?

Withbellson

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Where in the body did I say that it still is a good deal ?

There are charges for using Santander ATMs in Spain - which specific debit card(s) are still exempt  - except for Private and Select accounts ?

It's not about what you are stating; it's about you not understanding what you are reading. There is no 2.95% charge when using a Santander card in a Santander Spanish ATM. Confirmed by the PDF that you included.

Withbellson

They also seem to have waived the minimum charge for withdrawals from other ATM abroad; with just the 2.95% forex charge; as opposed to 1.5%(minimum £1.99) + 2.75% So no longer a card from ...

NoodleDoodleMan

I couldn't see any reference to the Non Sterling Cash Fee being dropped for non Santander debit cards usage.

Do you have a link ?

Withbellson

NoodleDoodleMan said:

I couldn't see any reference to the Non Sterling Cash Fee being dropped for non Santander debit cards usage.

Do you have a link ?

The exact same PDF links that you posted and completely misinterpreted. Have you called Santander or do you intend to leave your misleading top title up indefinitely?

NoodleDoodleMan

I contacted Santander via their online chat facility - their reply referenced Visa debit cards, however my recent replacement is Mastercard, so that aspect was irrelevant.

Secondly they quoted a Non Sterling Transaction Fee of 2.75% - which now has been superseded by the 2.95% rate........where applicable.

I visited a nearby town a few days ago, one that had a Santander branch, so I dropped in to get the accurate picture.

The young lady who dealt with the enquiry thought that the Canaries had now been dropped from the fee free scenario and had to consult a colleague before confirming that was not the case.

Eventually I was advised that there are no fees if my Santander debit card is used in Spain, the Balearics and the Canaries at a Santander branded ATM.

I'll leave the headline - testament to how a simple condition can lead to so much confusion, Santander staff included.

OnlyTheBestWillDo

NoodleDoodleMan said:

I contacted Santander via their online chat facility - their reply referenced Visa debit cards, however my recent replacement is Mastercard, so that aspect was irrelevant.

Secondly they quoted a Non Sterling Transaction Fee of 2.75% - which now has been superseded by the 2.95% rate........where applicable.

I visited a nearby town a few days ago, one that had a Santander branch, so I dropped in to get the accurate picture.

The young lady who dealt with the enquiry thought that the Canaries had now been dropped from the fee free scenario and had to consult a colleague before confirming that was not the case.

Eventually I was advised that there are no fees if my Santander debit card is used in Spain, the Balearics and the Canaries at a Santander branded ATM.

I'll leave the headline - testament to how a simple condition can lead to so much confusion, Santander staff included.

In other words you were wrong, there is no charge and you have caused the confusion

NoodleDoodleMan

OnlyTheBestWillDo said:

NoodleDoodleMan said:

I contacted Santander via their online chat facility - their reply referenced Visa debit cards, however my recent replacement is Mastercard, so that aspect was irrelevant.

Secondly they quoted a Non Sterling Transaction Fee of 2.75% - which now has been superseded by the 2.95% rate........where applicable.

I visited a nearby town a few days ago, one that had a Santander branch, so I dropped in to get the accurate picture.

The young lady who dealt with the enquiry thought that the Canaries had now been dropped from the fee free scenario and had to consult a colleague before confirming that was not the case.

Eventually I was advised that there are no fees if my Santander debit card is used in Spain, the Balearics and the Canaries at a Santander branded ATM.

I'll leave the headline - testament to how a simple condition can lead to so much confusion, Santander staff included.

In other words you were wrong, there is no charge and you have caused the confusion

As were Santander online staff x 2 aspects of their advice, and a bank teller who was uncertain.