Plea to Waive Credit Card International Transaction Fee - Will It Succeed?

TimApple on 31/07/2017 - 13:56

A couple weeks ago, I had to go overseas to see my father in the hospital, he got into an accident. He lives overseas, not Aussie citizen.

This particular country has a very bad health care system, and they want the family to pay for the operation before they can do it, and it was quite expensive. In the heat of the moment, I panicked because I knew that my credit card limit is not that high, and I knew that there's international transaction fee. Long story short, I ended up splitting the payment on my CBA and ING cards.

The thing is, I found that they charge 2% transaction fee on each of those overseas transactions, and I ended up paying more than $500 of those fees in both CBA and ING.

Do you think that there's a chance that they'll waive those fees if I call them up and explain the situation? Or am I just wasting my time?

Poll Options

  • 2
    Call CBA
  • 0
    Call ING
  • 22
    Call Both
  • 63
    Don't waste my time
Financial

Comments

  • bobbified on 31/07/2017 - 14:09
    +7

    $25,000+ upfront for an operation! yikes!

    I don't like your chances of them waiving the fees, but no one here will be able to give you a definite answer.

    Best way to find out for sure is to simply call the bank and politely ask.
    (where else can you potentially get $500 for 10-20 minutes work?)

    • Wystri Warrick on 31/07/2017 - 22:14

      $25,000+ upfront for an operation! yikes!

      Seems like the US.

      So sorry to hear about you father op :(

      • bobbified on 01/08/2017 - 09:06

        Seems like the US

        Going by OP's username, I think it'll be in asia somewhere. Singapore's got a system like that - pay upfront and insurance will reimburse later.

        Or it could be in a foreign-run hospital in a third world country such as Vietnam.

  • [Deactivated] on 31/07/2017 - 14:52
    +3

    2% isn't so bad if you got a decent exchange rate on the cards. You only feel bad about it, because it shows up as a separate line item on your statement.

    Once upon a time, banks could give you a crappy exchange rate and advertise their products are 'fee free' on international transactions.

    You might find the bank is sympathetic to your circumstances and waives the fee, but I doubt you could've found a cheaper way to pay for the operation.

    • TimApple on 31/07/2017 - 15:21
      +1

      That's true – to be fair, the exchange rate was better than I expected.

  • JimmyF on 31/07/2017 - 15:05
    +1

    Sorry to hear about your dad, but that has nothing to do with the banks transaction fees. To them, its just 'money' moving around, regardless if its for a operation or a car or a holiday or a hotel. So the fee would stick.

    You can always ask, but if you get a no, then move on.

  • dcep on 31/07/2017 - 15:28

    Tough luck to get it refunded.

    Next time upgrade your ozb skill to achieve international status by applying for the Bankwest Platinum credit card with zero currency transaction fees & zero annual fee.

    • John Kimble on 31/07/2017 - 15:35

      Don't they just hide it in the conversion rate?

      • dcep on 31/07/2017 - 15:41
        +3

        I always check the amount charged for foreign currency transactions and they're spot on with the standard Mastercard conversion rate.

        That's why i never use paypal for conversion. Always charged on foreign currency.

        • insty on 31/07/2017 - 16:40

          Same. I've got a Bankwest World MasterCard and it's pretty much spot on for currency conversion.

  • Looking4Bargians on 31/07/2017 - 16:20

    Must be India. By the way.. how is your father now?

    • TimApple on 31/07/2017 - 21:43

      It's not India. He's much better now, thank you.

  • Diji1 on 31/07/2017 - 16:35
    +3

    Sure, you can ask but you need to threaten to leave for another provider if they don't. Just asking for a fee they took above board is not going to get you anywhere.

    Not saying it will work but at least that way you bring some insignificant threat to the table and maybe they waive it to keep you as a customer.

    • John Kimble on 31/07/2017 - 16:46

      I've had interest reversed upon request a couple of times when I forgot to pay my outstanding balance in full by the due date. Not exactly the same situation and a lot less than $500 though.

      They said they are permitted to do so only once per calendar year.

    • purplelady on 31/07/2017 - 16:47
      +1

      and mention that it was a matter of life and death. You weren't on a shopping spree

  • tsunamisurfer on 31/07/2017 - 18:03
    +1

    Why not start a crowdfunding project to help pay for fees, everyone else is using it to dodge paying for their own things.

  • CheapskateQueen on 31/07/2017 - 18:06
    +2

    Yeh definitely try and call. It's worth the effort. Especially if you've been a long time customer and they can see the size of the transaction they might exercise discretion to waive some or all of it

  • original15 on 31/07/2017 - 19:30

    I don't work for either of these banks but definitely worth a try. It may help to visit a local branch and ask in person (if you can be bothered and have the time). Banks love a good news story

  • ronnknee on 31/07/2017 - 19:57

    Next time, insurance.

    • Big Dog on 01/08/2017 - 08:25

      That was my first thought… travel inurance. OP's father lives overseas so I'm not sure what the insurance situation would be. Could he have purchased standard insurance?

  • Banana on 31/07/2017 - 21:06
    +1

    So sorry to hear that,OP. I wish you all the best!

    I recently came back from a overseas trip and used my Coles CC whenever I could. I found the exchange rate way better than those cash converter places(Melbourne) with no international fee. Perhaps you can look into that as well.

    • TimApple on 31/07/2017 - 21:42
      +1

      I have one that is without a fee (Citibank Plus), but the limit was too low and the bill was so expensive.

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