Community
Wiki Posts
Search

EU Antitrust and Cash Back Programs?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 4, 2019 | 3:02 pm
  #1  
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
10 Countries Visited
20 Countries Visited
30 Countries Visited
25 Years on Site
 
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 11,711
EU Antitrust and Cash Back Programs?

I read that some Taiwanese banks are stopping cash rebates for charges made at EU countries starting 1/1/2020 because some EU anti-trust lawsuits against Visa and/or Mastercard. Anyone know what the deal is?

Thanks.
username is offline  
Old Oct 4, 2019 | 3:08 pm
  #2  
mia
Flyertalk Posting Legend Moderator: Credit Card Programs, American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Diners Club, Eco Travel, Signatures
10 Countries Visited
20 Nights
2M
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA, IHG & Marriott Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 51,907
Perhaps the fees collected from merchants in the EU are no longer sufficient to support the fees. Can you post a link to the article?
mia is offline  
Old Oct 4, 2019 | 5:43 pm
  #3  
500k
30 Countries Visited
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,747
It looks like cash rebate cards are common in Taiwan. I also can't find an article specifically excluding EU transactions from the rebate, but what is funny is this HSBC one pays more on overseas transactions.

https://www.hsbc.com.tw/en-tw/credit...ack-signature/
rasheed is offline  
Old Oct 4, 2019 | 11:16 pm
  #4  
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: MEX
Posts: 1,152
Originally Posted by mia
Perhaps the fees collected from merchants in the EU are no longer sufficient to support the fees. Can you post a link to the article?
That's my guess. While the EU's interchange fee cap doesn't actually apply to foreign cards, both Visa and MC charge only the 0.3% capped rate for card-present transactions, regardless of where the card was issued. Visa gets 1.5% on CNP transactions, hence the common surcharge for buying airline tickets with a foreign credit card. I think MC is similar.

With only 0.3% interchange, someone is getting a really bad deal when I use my American 2.5% cash back card to buy groceries every week.
der_saeufer is offline  
Old Oct 4, 2019 | 11:41 pm
  #5  
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
10 Countries Visited
20 Countries Visited
30 Countries Visited
25 Years on Site
 
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 11,711
Here is the newspaper article (in Chinese): https://money.udn.com/money/story/5617/4085052 - it does seem to be what you guys are thinking. I wonder if this will spread to cards issued in other countries (e.g. Citibank Costco Visa)...
username is offline  
Old Nov 6, 2019 | 6:48 pm
  #6  
500k
30 Countries Visited
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,747
Now with the prevalence of no FTF available, even with no AF, it is still a game of averages. Even in the US, large merchants and certain types pay a much different interchange fee (below 2%) versus other merchants.

I have never seen a US issuer close a customer because of it, but I guess it is possible. It seems like the dream to have a great US card to use in EU, but I suspect it is still a small number who can profit so much.
rasheed is offline  
Old Nov 8, 2019 | 6:04 pm
  #7  
10 Countries Visited
All eyes on you!
10 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,700
Originally Posted by rasheed
It looks like cash rebate cards are common in Taiwan. I also can't find an article specifically excluding EU transactions from the rebate, but what is funny is this HSBC one pays more on overseas transactions.

https://www.hsbc.com.tw/en-tw/credit...ack-signature/
thats not uncommon. a lot of cards in singapore offer more % for overseas spending vs local spending (any type of spend, not specific to a category like dining)
too bad high annual fees

https://www.valuechampion.sg/best-cr...rseas-spending
paperwastage is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.