Citibank Debit Card Still Fee Free for Overseas Transactions?

bwatt72 on 31/08/2020 - 16:10
Last edited 31/08/2020 - 16:21 by 1 other user

Has Citbank debit cards started charging overseas fees?

I've been buying stuff from overseas for a while and I normally use my card and Paypal. I use my card to charge me rather than Paypal with their poor exchange. I normally base the amount charged with xe.com most times it right amount very slightly over and even less.

But these last two payments are well off compared to xe.com. I know xe is just a guide but they seem well off to what I'm charged and I'm wondering if Citibank is adding extra being overseas purchase.

• 

  triviums on 31/08/2020 - 16:15

  +1

  No they are not charging a international fee

  EDIT:
  Is it still off if you use this?
  https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/personal/get-support/convert…

• 

  mbck on 31/08/2020 - 16:17

  +2

  If a bank is charging overseas fee, this would be a separate line in your account (foreign exchange fee). But citibank doesn't charge anything.

  Did you turn on their 'smart wallet' feature? This uses their own poor FX rate. This has to be turned off.

  The last time I used my citibank (jan and feb 2020), the FX rate seems to be good.

  • 

    bwatt72 on 31/08/2020 - 16:29

    Not sure what you mean smart wallet feature all i have done in past is go to site get an idea and compare with my account and most times its pretty close or lower than what xe.com show.
    Remember this is through paypal but i do have my card selected as payment and use what my card charges vs what paypal would charge.
    But as said either xe is well off at present or citi is crap exchange normally i go with xe asva guide but its been well off these last few days.

    • 

      mbck on 31/08/2020 - 16:35

      it's in their phone app. They advertise it quite heavily, I'd be surprised if you haven't seen it (advertised heavily so they can earn more). I'm not 100% sure if smart wallet is active for things you buy in Australia from overseas, or if it's only active when you travel. BUT I'd still get the app, and see if it's turned off anyways.

      • 

        bwatt72 on 31/08/2020 - 16:41

        Yes im using app and im paying paypal from inovices sent to me and using my card as i normally do.
        But wallet is off i can see.

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  bwatt72 on 31/08/2020 - 16:37

  Just checked smart wallet never knew about it as there is less to see using mobile but that's off. So xe must be well off on what they are showing either that its citi bank. Either way xe has been great to get an idea but not last two payments it's not.

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  PissLUR on 31/08/2020 - 18:11

  when do you make the comparison? at transaction time or at settlement time?

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  rickb on 01/09/2020 - 10:32

  Citibank are not charging fees for foreign purchases and the exchange rate is based on Mastercard. In my last few transactions the rate was close the the official exchange rate.

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  bwatt72 on 01/09/2020 - 11:00

  So going by xe.com then its not that accurate? Has been in past for me.
  How do you know how much your getting for your money if currency is in usd to see how accurate that is so i know what to expect.
  But as said xe has been great pretty close and even less at times

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  bwatt72 on 11/09/2020 - 02:46

  Im still getting charged more than i see on xe.com and other places, as said in past when i checked xe.com it was spot on or very close or even under but these days its much more than im seeing.
  £222.67 on xe came up at $392.25.

  But when i check my account its $401.56

  This is from a retailer in uk and paid with PayPal using my citi bank card which is my default option which excludes paypal exchange rates and uses my citi bank exchange what ever that is.

  I have never had issues with comparing xe or other sites to get an idea what i paying and as said its been very close. But these days seems more.
  Paypal is often used in these payments.

  I could have on this purchase used my card instead of paypal but makes no difference.
  i don't see any fee charges but them im using mobile app and you can tell.

  I dont know if citi bank are being sneaky and charging fees or giving me worse exchange rates than what xe.com etc offer.

  Its just good to get an idea but more than often now its bit off. Would it down to when i make purchase time of day etc.

  Im really confused there must be an exchange rate calculator for citi bank to check?

  • 

    YesPleaseThankYou on 11/09/2020 - 08:27

    Ask Citi to explain the situation.

    If you get nowhere with its level 1 support, lodge a complaint.

    No one here can answer what Citi is doing internally.

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  bwatt72 on 11/09/2020 - 23:29

  Maybe thought there was some setting or option that had to select or not use, its strange as its changed since they did there new app.
  I know its done through paypal but paypal dont take a cut when your using your card to do the purchase.
  Just feels im paying a fee extra somewhere.
  Either that xe.com is way off these days