OT(ish) RBS add to cost of miles via Travelex
Jun 25, 2010, 3:47 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Scotland
Programs: BA Gold, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 2,447
OT(ish) RBS add to cost of miles via Travelex
I've always bought my currency through Travelex, sometimes online others at the airport and paid with my RBS Switch card. Even when buying online, I quite often get my fix of miles, even though their system says I'm not supposed to.
RBS have, it appears, decided to replace Switch with Visa Debit cards, and will charge a 2% fee for buying foreign currency in the UK.
I see this as being extremely naughty of them and am off next week to talk with HSBC about moving my account to them as they don't charge the same fee.
RBS have, it appears, decided to replace Switch with Visa Debit cards, and will charge a 2% fee for buying foreign currency in the UK.
I see this as being extremely naughty of them and am off next week to talk with HSBC about moving my account to them as they don't charge the same fee.
Jun 25, 2010, 3:48 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,959
I've always bought my currency through Travelex, sometimes online others at the airport and paid with my RBS Switch card. Even when buying online, I quite often get my fix of miles, even though their system says I'm not supposed to.
RBS have, it appears, decided to replace Switch with Visa Debit cards, and will charge a 2% fee for buying foreign currency in the UK.
I see this as being extremely naughty of them and am off next week to talk with HSBC about moving my account to them as they don't charge the same fee.
RBS have, it appears, decided to replace Switch with Visa Debit cards, and will charge a 2% fee for buying foreign currency in the UK.
I see this as being extremely naughty of them and am off next week to talk with HSBC about moving my account to them as they don't charge the same fee.
i have given up with them.
Jun 25, 2010, 3:54 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Glasgow
Programs: BA Blue
Posts: 509
I'm with HBoS and they don't charge a fee for taking out foreign currency on their Visa Debit cards.
I wasn't aware you could earn miles through Travelex... will need to look into that. Annoying, as I recently did a rather large transaction with them!
I wasn't aware you could earn miles through Travelex... will need to look into that. Annoying, as I recently did a rather large transaction with them!
Jun 26, 2010, 8:25 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: MUCCI
Posts: 5,706
- what on earth do they think they deserve that fee for?!?
The merchant will still be paying their card fees I assume, so what makes it different from any other transaction?
The provision of the physical currency is what you are paying the currency provider for! It's not a cash advance.
Jun 26, 2010, 8:36 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: UK
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HSBC are doing the same as far as replacing Switch goes. But I can confirm at least the First Direct Visa Debit doesn't incur any extra charges at Travelex, or anywhere else I've used it for 'Switch like' purchases so far.
Jun 26, 2010, 8:39 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: London, UK
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Posts: 8,156
FWIW, Mastercard is currently in the process of changing this across to Mastercard Debit - a card which my bank sadly issued me a few months back. Being a guinea pig has been far from fun.
Jun 26, 2010, 8:49 am
#7
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Although I think if you choose BA miles you may get a poorer exchange rate with Travelex.
Likewise I'm with Bank of Scotland/HBos/Lloyds Banking Group and my Visa Debit card does not charge for UK Travelex transactions.
Regards
TBS
Jun 26, 2010, 8:53 am
#8
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Location: London and Zurich
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Worth reading http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/tra...money#cheapest for advice, especially
Santander are missing from that list, though as they are now the parent of Alliance & Leicester and Abbey, it's safe to assume that they are in the ripoff brigade.
Me, I'm still with the Nationwide.
Originally Posted by moneysavingexpert
Debit cards that DO charge a fee
Abbey
Alliance & Leicester
Barclays
Cahoot
Co-op
Lloyds TSB
Smile
Natwest / RBS
Debit cards that DON'T charge a fee
Coventry BS
First Direct
Halifax
HSBC
Intelligent Finance
Nationwide
Abbey
Alliance & Leicester
Barclays
Cahoot
Co-op
Lloyds TSB
Smile
Natwest / RBS
Debit cards that DON'T charge a fee
Coventry BS
First Direct
Halifax
HSBC
Intelligent Finance
Nationwide
Me, I'm still with the Nationwide.
Jun 26, 2010, 8:59 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: UK
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But quite right - my last card was of course a Maestro. Funny how these things stick with you though, I always referred to it as my 'Switch' card (even though that was wrong as you say). For some reason that name/branding seeemed to be hard to shake.
Jul 5, 2010, 7:07 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2
I've always bought my currency through Travelex, sometimes online others at the airport and paid with my RBS Switch card. Even when buying online, I quite often get my fix of miles, even though their system says I'm not supposed to.
RBS have, it appears, decided to replace Switch with Visa Debit cards, and will charge a 2% fee for buying foreign currency in the UK.
I see this as being extremely naughty of them and am off next week to talk with HSBC about moving my account to them as they don't charge the same fee.
RBS have, it appears, decided to replace Switch with Visa Debit cards, and will charge a 2% fee for buying foreign currency in the UK.
I see this as being extremely naughty of them and am off next week to talk with HSBC about moving my account to them as they don't charge the same fee.