I'm Breaking up with My Bank. HELP!

• 

  Olokun on 21/12/2016 - 20:46

  +7

  Your title says 'Help!' But I don't see a question in the body?

  It may be hidden in the wall of text so apologies if i missed it

  • 

    Tacocat on 21/12/2016 - 20:51

    Apologies, it is a massive amount of text. I'm asking if it would be fair for me to seek compensation and if so what would be reasonable given the circumstances. Or possibly just cut my losses and move on to a different bank.

    • 

      lgacb08 on 21/12/2016 - 21:02

      +5

      Don't think you'd go far with compensation, a letter to their complaint department and FSO may be your best bet but you already done those. What's the point trying to milk something out of their incompetence customer service when you already lost faith in them. Also having a shop around for another financial product right now is not a very smart move because you already had them scribbled all over you credit file in the last month. A good mortgage broker might be able to provide an explanatory note for your mortgage application but I doubt he could help if you want another credit card.

    • 

      Brianqpr on 22/12/2016 - 21:02

      Depends on what you are seeking. It costs the banks in both time and money (they have to pay fees to the ombudsman even if they win) so they may be willing to make a commercial offer to resolve the matter. It would cost them a minimum of $3k in fees if the ombudsman has to make a determination.

    • 

      chillin222 on 22/12/2016 - 23:41

      -3

      What's the compensation for?

      It's the bank that has lost out, by not receiving the interchange from your spending. You have not lost out - you have suffered no financial impact from not having the card.

      This could happen at any bank - all run on ancient systems and all have badly trained staff who don't really know how to operate them. That's just life. The best way to get a card fast is to apply online, to minimise the human intervention.

  • 

    lgacb08 on 21/12/2016 - 20:57

    yeah, can't see if I can offer any help here. May be choice of bank. What's your priority? Low interest? Best card with rewards? Having everything with only one bank is risky, better shop elsewhere for each product.

    • 

      Tacocat on 21/12/2016 - 21:15

      -2

      Unfortunately I'm one of those people who has been with the same bank since I opened my account with them when I was 8 years old. I just bought my first home so that is my largest investment to date so currently I'm sitting in a bit of "it's the principle of the matter" position without any thought to product offers. I would be happy to take suggestions on "good" banks but I think that would open a whole other discussion.

      • 

        Slippery Fish on 21/12/2016 - 21:32

        +2

        Youd be dumb to move at this time, take my advise or leave it.

        On a side note wouldnt hurt to ask them for free offset account ect.

      • 

        Tacocat on 21/12/2016 - 21:44

        @Slippery Fish: Cheers, appreciate the input.

• 

  robbyjones on 21/12/2016 - 20:53

  +5

  Banks suck. Your situation sucks. Bite off your nose to spite your face if you wish but if I was you I would work with what I had and try to gain something back (extra points, free card, upgrade, etc).

• 

  StewBalls on 21/12/2016 - 20:56

  +1

  Sorry dude, needs a TL;DR abstract…

  • 

    Tacocat on 21/12/2016 - 21:08

    +2

    Thanks for your feedback. I've added an abstract in.

    • 

      StewBalls on 21/12/2016 - 21:08

      +1

      Cheers, silly season & all that…

      [edit] Forget about getting compo or goodwill out of a bank, they're parasites…if you can find a better deal just vote with your feet, which is probably what I would do just on principle! ;)

  • 

    retiredfeline on 21/12/2016 - 21:08

    +12

    I broke up with his text after a couple of paragraphs.

    • 

      Tacocat on 21/12/2016 - 21:21

      +4

      Thanks for getting that far into it!

• 

  burningrage on 21/12/2016 - 21:04

  +10

  I only have one question, which bank?

  • 

    WhyAmICommenting on 21/12/2016 - 21:29

    +2

    Yes

  • 

    secondstory on 23/12/2016 - 13:25

    Unfortunately I'm one of those people who has been with the same bank since I opened my account with them when I was 8 years old.

    Sounds like he was a dollarmite.

    • 

      burningrage on 23/12/2016 - 18:04

      Great detective work! Commbank noted now.

• 

  picklewizard on 21/12/2016 - 21:17

  +15

  Sorry mate, what's the issue here?

  Okay, so they stuffed you around in getting you the card, that's poor customer service; but did they ever deny you funds that were rightfully yours? Did they take unwarranted fees, charges or enable a transaction to be made in your name for which you weren't responsible? Did their actions impose any financial hardship upon you?

  They're offering you a line of credit and they're more than entitled to perform checks on you before they do this. Yes, it sounds like they stuffed it up, another example of poor customer service.

  So in all, it sounds like it was a minor hassle. My questions to you are:

  1) What makes you think that you deserve financial compensation for this?
  2) What is the dispute that you expect the Financial Services Ombudsman to resolve?

  • 

    Tacocat on 21/12/2016 - 21:28

    -5

    That's just my question also. Am I entitled to it or not?

    "They're offering you a line of credit and they're more than entitled to perform checks on you before they do this".
    As the credit checks were already completed with the mortgage for pre-approval, that was apparently part of the "glitch".

    • 

      picklewizard on 21/12/2016 - 21:32

      +19

      Entitled to what? Why would they just go 'sorry for the minor inconvenience, here's some money?'

      To me, it sounds like you're desperate for cash, indicated by your misplaced idea that there's a possibility you're entitled to some money because of this (you're really not)… but this is the smoking gun: "it had affected us on a personal level by holding us up from starting our Christmas shopping (at that stage 1 week out from Christmas)"

      Dude. Do not EVER EVER EVER rely on a line of credit you don't even have. This is not a recipe for financial stability. This is how people get themselves into uncontrollable levels of debt. If you're a week out from Christmas and you have no money to shop, you're not going to have the money to make repayments on the card.

      Again, what is the complaint you expect the FOS to resolve?

      • 

        Tacocat on 21/12/2016 - 21:38

        +1

        Sorry if I sound "desperate for cash", that isn't my situation at all. This is the first time I have had a credit card and call me naive but I took the avenue of trying to reap the rewards/ points associated with the card for the Christmas spend. I have funds fully available and most likely should have started by now but wanted to take advantage of the rewards available with the offer.

      • 

        picklewizard on 21/12/2016 - 21:41

        +9

        Dude, you're playing right into their hands - this is exactly what they want you do to; overspend "because rewards points!" Don't fall into this trap.

        I'm sorry, I re-read my above and it comes across a bit cold. I hope you're in a good place with regards to finances at this time of year.

        I've asked twice now but you seem to be avoiding the question. What is the outstanding dispute that you expect the FOS to resolve? I just don't understand the basis for your complaint with them.

      • 

        Tacocat on 21/12/2016 - 21:49

        -6

        @picklewizard: No worries at all and yes I'm good with my finances (thanks for your concern). Sorry, I wasn't intentionally avoiding the questions; I did lodge a complaint with the FOS but again, I'm still unsure on if I might even be wasting their time.

      • 

        picklewizard on 21/12/2016 - 21:54

        +4

        @Tacocat: Honestly dude, I really think you are - other than "I think I'm entitled to compensation but cannot demonstrate hardship" you've not been able to say what your actual complaint is.

        Banks don't care about you. The FOS does, but there are people in legitimate need of their help.

      • 

        Tacocat on 21/12/2016 - 21:56

        +1

        @picklewizard: Absolutely can see your point. Thanks for your feedback.

    • 

      WhyAmICommenting on 21/12/2016 - 21:36

      +1

      Any cooling off period? But apart from your time what is the financial loss here? This is usually the issue about compensation. And, is it worth your time to start again and possibly have similar setup issues elsewhere?

      I had similar but smaller problems with one of their sub-banks (can't spell subsid…), made settlement stressful - stupid errors on their part, had to get extra time on settlement I think - but no interest in compensation from them of course.

    • 

      chillin222 on 22/12/2016 - 23:43

      +1

      "Pre-approval" is marketing spin, it essentially has no impact on your application.

      • 

        nobro25 on 23/12/2016 - 21:47

        -1

        Same as "Pre-Cum" is your body preparing to inseminate, it essentially has no impact on getting her preggas.

• 

  bargainslut on 21/12/2016 - 21:21

  -2

  Happy to help, perhaps edit it and type a shorter version.

• 

  Priceless Class on 21/12/2016 - 21:33

  +11

  Probably what actually happened is the home loan came coupled with an optional 'bundled no fee platinum credit card offer' which the bank agent said was 'pre-approved' but in reality wasn't and the subsequent application for it prompted a separate credit check, which probably got denied for the platinum because your new home-loan amount pushed your borrowing capacity, causing you to get reduced to the base model one.

  I know friends that it has happened to, where they are borrowing 300k for a home loan and were offered a credit card as part of the application, only to be given a measly $500 credit limit, as if they can't be trusted with more than $500.

  Lesson to be learnt. Don't bother being loyal to a bank.
  I have 3 savings/transaction accounts with different banks for (local ATM access/no monthly fees/cashback offer)
  I have 6 credit cards with different banks for (points earn linked to home loan), 0% purchase, Balance Transfer X2, international transactions and cashback offer)
  I have 2 home loans with different banks. (best fixed rate and best variable rate).

  Playing this game, I am saving a minimum of $1000 each year in home loan equivalent interest, plus have earnt almost 300k velocity points in a year. The question i ask is: can one bank provide all of these features to me? The answer is most definitely NO!

  • 

    WhyAmICommenting on 21/12/2016 - 21:37

    Pro user

  • 

    Tacocat on 21/12/2016 - 21:42

    +2

    You're right on the money with what you've mentioned and that also makes a lot of sense re: the card downgrade.

    Thanks for the advice also, that's extremely helpful to know.

  • 

    sillyguy on 22/12/2016 - 13:46

    Good strategy.

    Can I ask how much ur combined balance of all ur CCs are now?

    And how often do you have to check the balances of those 6 cards to make sure there is no fraudulent transactions has occurred?

    • 

      Priceless Class on 22/12/2016 - 13:54

      I'm sitting at around a third of my annual wage in 'total available credit' with about half of my available credit 'spent/allocated to 0% balance transfers/0% purchase offers'.

      • 

        Priceless Class on 22/12/2016 - 14:30

        I usually login to each account fortnightly to review transactions. This doesn't concern me uch tbh. If it is unauthorised the banks take out it.

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 22/12/2016 - 18:31

    The customer cancelled their card as soon as their bonus was cleared; not happy at all :( : Bank 1
    The customer was not loyal; will not deal again: Bank 2
    If we knew of the customer's intentions, we would never approve their application; looking forward to a better future: Bank 3
    Why are not there more regulations for bank-customer relationship: Bank 4
    Was expecting more…: Bank 5
    The customer had their own agenda: Bank 6
    We will take more precautions in our future dealings: Bank 7
    We fall in the customer's trap by thinking he will only bank with us; not happy :(: Bank 8

    • 

      Priceless Class on 22/12/2016 - 19:59

      +1

      That's really cute, but the reality is:
      If they actually go to the effort to ask why you are cancelling a card/account, all you need to say is you are in the process of refinancing home loan and/or you are wanting to consolidate your credit lines.

      This is a very legitimate reason that all banks understand. When they ask why you're not refinancing with them, you can be honest and say they don't offer the best rate/features.

      Bank 1: 75% of our new customers have continued using the card beyond the bonus with half of them carrying a balance which is making us plenty of interest to offset this person that has left after getting the bonus. We will welcome the customer back, but he is not eligible for any promotional offers for 12 months

      Bank 2: Oh well, it was only a $5000 credit limit and he always paid his balances. He told us the other card he had gave points and our program wasn't comparable for the fee we charge in the second year. I guess that's true.

      Bank 3: The customer met our application criteria, utilised the offer and has since left. He had a good payment record while being a customer. We'll keep this good record in mind next time he'd like to apply with us again.

      Bank 4: This customer stated his reason for closure was consolidating his credit because he's refinancing for a home loan. We would've expected the same if he was applying with us. It's good he was able to pay off his remaining balance prior to closing.

      Bank 5: This customer is not eligible for applications with reward points for a further 12 months. Otherwise approved to reapply for any standard cards.

      Bank 6: The customer left happy, but said he was consolidating his finances. Accounts paid in full prior to closure. Passed over to the insurance department to get a quote on completion of call.

      Bank 7: Hmmm..Note to manager: This promotion doesn't seem to have worked too well for us. Maybe we shouldn't offer stupid promotional offers like this in the future. We can't touch his credit score as he has paid everything as required by the credit contract.

      Bank 8: It was obvious the customer had other accounts, as they only had a credit card with us. He disclosed all his existing loans, savings balances and credit. He said he did have a good experience banking with us, but was consolidating for a refinance. Hopefully he will consider us again in the future.

• 

  ozb10 on 21/12/2016 - 21:45

  +1

  I would take my money/mortage elsewhere as soon as possible if there are similar offers from other financial institutions.

• 

  Diji1 on 21/12/2016 - 21:51

  +9

  So you want compensation because a credit card didn't turn up in the mail?

• 

  Pharos5 on 21/12/2016 - 22:58

  +1

  1) It's shitty that this happened, especially so close to Christmas.

  2) In my experience (as an employee) my bank very rarely gives compensation beyond waiving minor fees.

  3) I think moving banks at this stage is only going to hurt you. You've done all you can to get compensation it looks like, so just move on. You could swap banks a few months down the track, but I believe all the big 4 are roughly similar for customer service. A smaller bank may be a different story.

• 

  colinjames on 21/12/2016 - 23:33

  Perhaps you need to double check your credit rating to see if having a credit card application declined has lowered it. This is something the bank can fix for you as they should.

  Before you leave, find your new bank and get it setup or else use this to try and get the mortgage rate lowered.

• 

  DisneyPrincess on 22/12/2016 - 01:08

  Which bank is this with?

  • 

    Wystri Warrick on 22/12/2016 - 01:48

    +4

    Sounds like Commbank, they CAN do anything.

• 

  Wystri Warrick on 22/12/2016 - 02:23

  +4

  I'm Breaking up with My Bank

  Ouch, breaking up can be painful especially when you've been together for so long, since you where 8 years old.
  You really do build up a solid relationship over time and you think you know your bank, then they cheat on you and it hurts your wallet, especially when you had your future all planned out, you took out a mortgage together bought your first house and everything was going so well then your bank cheats on you, they cheat on you.

  During difficult times like these it's best to spend time at friends and family especially during the holidays, it'll be easier on your wallet.

  My advice is make sure you've got a good lawyer, I hear banks have very good divorce lawyers.

• 

  JimB on 22/12/2016 - 07:43

  +6

  If I was financially compensated for everytime I recieved poor customer service, I'd be a millionaire.

  Just let it go. It's not like they stuffed up the home loan and you couldn't settle on a house purchase.

• 

  doodo477 on 22/12/2016 - 08:36

  +2

  Smmry to the rescue:

  We agreed to proceed with the card on the 24/11 and received confirmation back the same day from the customer service rep stating she had submitted it and we should receive the the card the following week and she would call us to confirm we had received it.

  5pm came and went on that day and I hadn't received any form of callback so I wrote a complaint email to our original rep reiterating what I had been advised that day, everything as above, not to mention the lack of customer service with follow ups and now it had affected us on a personal level by holding us up from starting our Christmas shopping as we had basically been provided inaccurate dates of expecting the card to arrive.

  PLUS to make matters worse for them we received the card via mail today but we have been sent the wrong version of the credit card eg.

  I think you're over reacting to the whole situation. Pffft, nothing you can do about it and you're not entitled to anything. Normal delay of them issuing the credit card at one of the MOST and I repeat busiest time of the year.

  Regarding the relationship or so called relationship you think you have with the bank, you don't. You're a customer, and more or less you've swollen the whole valued customer pill hook line and sinker.

• 

  Seraphin7 on 22/12/2016 - 09:18

  +2

  Taking a line through this you've been stuffed around on your credit card, which when it comes down to it means you've missed out on some reward points. A pain in the jacksie, clearly, but not worth refinancing your mortgage for.

  As you mention, this is your first home and possibly your first major financial responsibility.

  In the cold light of day, concentrate on getting the mortgage under control over the next couple of years rather than (a) wasting time, money and effort on a refinance and (b) chasing credit card rewards. This might even be a blessing in disguise.

• 

  [Deactivated] on 22/12/2016 - 10:27

  +3

  I don't think a faceless bank will care if you leave. If you had a face to face relationship with a branch manager, then that person would likely care if you threatened to move all of your cash to a different bank (depending on the amount). You're situation sounds frustrating, but I think, take this as a lesson to get things done early and don't trust that organisations are gonna fulfill their side. Prepare then do the credit card thing next year

• 

  SirFlibbled on 22/12/2016 - 11:28

  +2

  No you're not entitled to compensation. Why does everyone thing the world owes them compensation when they have no damages? Basically you'd need to show some sort of real terms loss as a direct result of their actions (and no not opportunity cost).

  Hell I found a cockroach in my pizza (Dominos) a few weeks ago. I complained and asked for a refund on that pizza only (not even the entire order). I didn't demand compensation. And for those interested Dominos refused a refund of $10 and gave me a voucher instead and so I'm not going through a Paypal dispute over it. I have no intention on using the voucher (why would I go back there again??).

• 

  StopThatBus on 22/12/2016 - 13:36

  +1

  Banks don't give a crap how long you have been with them anymore. It's probably going to be hard to move your home loan with them. But pick up all your other accounts and move them. There are banks out there that want your business.
  Have you looked into the rewards I find most are just geared at getting to to spend extra on your card. They have an incentive to do it, it makes them $$$$. Rewards = Reward for the bank(Not For Consumers). Many complain about there bank, service ect but few actually change This is why the banks don't care about messing you around.
  I doubt that you'll get any compensation it doesn't seem that your out of pocket.
  Your prolly going to have to suck it up or make the change.
  Good Luck

• 

  Skramit on 22/12/2016 - 15:35

  A bank rejected your credit card application. You want compensation for what exactly?

  I'm very confused.

• 

  ronnknee on 22/12/2016 - 16:42

  +4

  TL;DR: Whinge whinge whinge.

  • 

    Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 22/12/2016 - 22:22

    ^ This

  • 

    Godric on 23/12/2016 - 18:18

    ^^Self entitled whinger

• 

  smpantsonfire on 22/12/2016 - 17:11

  You need a bridge builder. They can help you get over it.

• 

  tj101 on 22/12/2016 - 17:45

  +1

  Ring the complaints line, sometimes they can be very helpful.

• 

  HeWhoKnows on 22/12/2016 - 17:46

  +1

  Here is another person that expects something for nothing. The bank offered you the card. OK something went wrong along the way but under no circumstances do they owe you anything. Maybe the card got stolen or lost in the mail. You cant blame the bank for that. You can only get compensation when you have suffered a loss. Here you had nothing to begin with. So WTF are you expecting compensation. What a dick! Yes, they may have stuffed up. Maybe you should be getting your credit card elsewhere instead of pursuing this hopeless matter. Please just leave us alone. This has nothing to do with us.

• 

  [Deactivated] on 22/12/2016 - 17:46

  +1

  I was with CBA for the past 4.5 years (salary deposit and all) and spend about 170k on a credit card with them, with the card not even being an awards type. Just a MasterCard Gold. I know… I was dumb. I did not do enough research at the time. I remember I selected the card just because the guy said there is no annual fee if you spend 10k per year.

  I called up the customer service 6 months ago and complained that you haven't properly "guided" me and now please give me a bonus. The guy said nope. We are a big bank and we don't care if a customer moves away. We'er not like other banks who give bonuses.
  I called their customer service 3 times to talk with different people and heard similar responses. Went to their branch to only hear a similar response again. I even asked please give me this introductory bonus that you are having now for new customers because you did n't give me bonuses when I joined. They rejected.

  So, I took the OzB course a few months ago. Since then I have enjoyed multiple bonuses from other banks. Some have n't for a cent of my salary going to them.

  Here is the trick: never stay with one bank, obtain credit cards every 4 months or so and use the introductory bonuses. Feel free to close them when you see another offer from another bank. Having said this, maintain your good credit rating. Don't apply for multiple credit cards at the same time. Never deposit to any bank account if they have n't already welcomed you by $100 or more dollars. Change the bank once another offer appears from another bank.

  As with your current situation, get your free Veda credit rating (getcreditscore.com) and if it is still "good" or higher apply for one other credit card (one with good bonus, pay some attention to ozbargain deals). It doesn't necessarily matter if you have recently applied for mortgage (depending on how many times your credit file have been pulled and what credit rating you have after recent applications). I'd say if it is greater than 650 then apply, with a view that you won't apply for credit card for another 6 months.

  If, upon moving, you need to apply for mortgage + credit card with a different bank, then it is risky and probably should stay with this shitty bank or delay mortgage application. Because there have been 2 dings already on your file and there will be another 2. That won't look good.

• 

  D Money on 22/12/2016 - 21:45

  +1

  Should be entitled to at least $100,000 compensation due the incorrect card arriving late.

• 

  Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 22/12/2016 - 22:29

  +1

  Read the terms and conditions you signed at each step. You'll find Preapproval isn't the same as Approval. End of story.

  It's a few days from Xmas. Why did you bother typing up this massive whinge?

• 

  [Deactivated] on 23/12/2016 - 02:33

  I think that you are right to complain for the poor service but realistically you need to put your money where you mouth is.

  You choose this home loan with this bank because you would get this awesome credit card with all these points for Christmas shopping?

  Well see what your next best option is to go with.

  Either change to the other home loan (and if there is a fee for this, tell them to waive it), or work out the value of the missing rewards points and get them to compensate you for that.

• 

  Tacocat on 23/12/2016 - 08:16

  A HUGE thank you for everyone's informative feedback and a special shout out to the people who took the extra effort to have a whinge about my whinge. Merry Christmas.

• 

  Mrgreenz on 23/12/2016 - 10:33

  So you wanted a credit card they offered, you were pre approved and then denied with poor communication?

  And now your kinda tight for cash around xmas?

  Should have tee'd up a card a couple of months ago if you wanted it to spend on xmas shopping.

  Not ideal situation but if banks gave away compo for things like that, to everyone, I'd say they'd be broke.

• 

  DanielR on 23/12/2016 - 15:33

  +1

  I feel for you - it does take time to move away from banks, and like one person mentioned in the thread "Banks do suck"… they are just in it to make money from your hard earned money.

  I was with ANZ and Commonwealth Bank and I have decided to move to a credit union (CUA) about 10 years ago, it did take me about 12 - 18 months to move everything across, mortgage and bank accounts, but I couldn't be happier, I don't get any fees. My advice is to look for a credit union, local bank they are just as good.

  In regards to credit cards, I stay away from banks and go with a finance institution such as GE, I use a 28 Degrees credit card for all my internet shopping and international purchases, I have even used the card overseas in the US (inc. withdrawals from US ATMs) and it is fantastic. You would see some great reviews here. My 2nd credit card I use is my everyday type of card which is Coles Mastercard which I earn points on.

  My advice is,

  All your personal banking / mortgage try a credit union such as CUA or a local bank - maybe bendigo bank
  Credit cards, look at a 28 degrees mastercard and a coles mastercard.

  Also a note, the CUA debit visa cards also support apply pay if you have an iphone.

  Hope this helps!!

• 

  Godric on 23/12/2016 - 18:16

  I find it amusing when people are seeking $$ from banks yet get mad when they ask questio s…

  You are the one wanting the $ lolol

• 

  quanticism on 23/12/2016 - 20:25

  On the bright side, at least you're not a person called America who can't break away from their Federal Reserve.

• 

  BestofOZB on 23/12/2016 - 20:28

  Option one: suck it up.
  Option two: change bank.
  Anything else is waste of time.

• 

  chumbucket on 24/12/2016 - 07:43

  So your complaint seems to be that you are missing out on the rewards points you would have got from using the credit card for christmas purchases, rather than actually being short on funds.
  Maybe instead of asking for a monetary compensation perhaps ask for bonus points to make up for the time and effort taken on your part to follow this up?
  That is unless that bridge has already burned down…

• 

  [Deactivated] on 31/12/2016 - 11:35

  +1

  Don't listen to these guys. You have plenty of options. Here are my logical progression of steps

  1. Go in store and speak to the manager
     1a - outline that you are happy with your home loan and have been a good customer for decades but feel a bit undervalued
     1b - don't ask about a financial reimbursement (since the card is already technically free)
     1c - ask what they can do "in good faith". If they don't bite, be specific - if you can get a free secondary card, or bonus interest on a savings account, or a decrease on your mortgage interest rate

  If steps 1a-c don't work then

  2. reach out to social media (respectfully) (or if available an email complaint address)
     2a. dont trash the brand
     2b. point out that you have been inconvenienced greatly in a busy time and that you are a valuable and loyal customer
     2c. ask what they can do "in good faith"

  If steps 2a-c don't work for you consider if
  a - you are getting a great deal
  b - it's worth finding somewhere else (and that's not too big a hassle)

  Yes there was a hassle, but keep in mind at the end of the day
  - it's just a free credit card
  - 98% of individuals at any given moment are just chump change to the banks (unless we are talking business banking)

  Pretty good hit rate with this
  Saved 30% off market price (anywhere) for a car repair recently (done at the vw dealership)

  Good luck