28 Degrees - New $8 Monthly Fee (Effective 17/9/24). Alternatives?

ifcw on 07/08/2024 - 12:41
Last edited 09/08/2024 - 11:02 by 1 other user

Hey all,

Just got an email about the 28 Degrees Mastercard introducing a new monthly card fee of $8 per month, which is quite steep as I only use it for travel and YouTube Argentina.

Any other recommendations for alternatives?

28 Degrees Global Platinum Mastercard Credit Card Changes FAQs

Effective from Tuesday 17 September 2024, there will be some important changes to your Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard credit card product. A card fee of $8 per month will be introduced and the interest rate on purchases will increase to 27.99% p.a. New features will be available including a new rewards program where you will be eligible for a $10 e-gift card every statement period when you spend $1,000 or more on eligible transactions within the statement period, and access to complimentary E-Commerce Protection Insurance and Purchase Protection Insurance.

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Comments

  • Low Punt on 15/08/2024 - 09:50

    I left my job and am studying full time.
    Will I be able to get a new CC or is their a debit account equivalent that I could add funds to?

    I used my 28 Degrees card for overseas purchases to avoid fees and use the card conversion not PayPal.

    • timhn on 15/08/2024 - 10:41
      +1

      If you can see your spending at least $1000/month then I suggest to keep it - as the $10 gift card can offset the $8 monthly fee , but need to reconsider fee increase in future. Regardless, this is still a good CC with zero fx fees.

      This is what I would do if I'm in your shoes.

      If you have no income then it would be impossible to get approve for a CC - even for a low limit.

      I heard stories about retirees that can still earning +$1000/month from their super/investment and banks wouldn't approve a credit card for them - or made it hard for them to get approval.

      If you want to dump this and get a debit card, then there are other cards would offer better choices - like HSBC with 2% cashback, CBA with their Yellow offers etc.

    • terlalu on 15/08/2024 - 11:25

      yes, plenty of international fee free debit options: uBank, HSBC Everyday Global, Up Bank, etc.

      • Ringu on 15/08/2024 - 13:41

        But, can any of them be used to pay for YT Argentina? I tried 3 different cards already and Lattitude is the only one accepted :(

        • pw2002au on 18/08/2024 - 10:52
          +1

          I used up bank and it linked to my Google account. Also based in Argentina 😉

          • Ringu on 18/08/2024 - 11:08

            @pw2002au: @pw2002au great to hear, is that with the Up Everyday or the 2Up?

  • kaboom mel on 15/08/2024 - 13:52

    I had my recently price protection claim rejected. I put a claim for the Roborock which was $300 cheaper at Costco on sale. They rejected saying as it was club price, it does not qualify under their protection policy. Not sure this policy was always case, as this one was of the first time i claimed.

    • eug on 15/08/2024 - 14:09
      +1

      Yup that has always been the case. The price has to be available to the general public without requiring a membership.

      • Nalar on 15/08/2024 - 19:51

        I had to argue that a generic x% off code from eBay was for everyone and not plus, they accepted it afterb I explained.

        • eug on 15/08/2024 - 20:22

          Oh thanks for mentioning that, I was wondering if they accepted those codes.

  • kaboom mel on 15/08/2024 - 13:53

    A question , does it now mean you don't pay for price protection (if you have a balance at cut off date) ?

    • TimeOrMoney on 15/08/2024 - 14:16
      +1

      This change statement doesn't mention price protection at all, so safest to assume you'd get the double-whammy fees if you end up with a balance on your statement.

  • Lucille Bluth on 15/08/2024 - 15:25

    Credit card aside, they have just increased their Personal Loan interest rate by another 0.5% lol to 9.99%

    Important change to your Latitude Variable Rate Personal Loan.

    We’re writing to you to inform you that we will be changing the interest rate on our personal loan products.

    Effective from 5th September 2024, your Annual Percentage Rate (APR) will increase by 0.50%.

  • hiaaron on 15/08/2024 - 19:48

    I have had this card since 2013 but didn't sign up for price protection a few years ago. I am using more than $1000 per month on this card so I think I should keep this one.
    The change summary page says 'Complimentary Purchase Protection Insurance will now be available covering the loss of purchases due to accidental damage or theft - up to $1,500'.
    Does this mean that everyone from now on will have complementary purchase protection regardless of prior sign up?

    • Lucille Bluth on 15/08/2024 - 20:00
      +1

      Yes everyone has/will have the complimentary purchase protection insurance (not to be confused with price protection). Regardless of when they signed up.

    • Ringu on 16/08/2024 - 13:17

      I think everyone will have this from next month, regardless of prior sign up:
      Complimentary Purchase Protection Insurance will now be available covering the loss of purchases due to accidental damage or theft - up to $1500.
      Complimentary E-Commerce Protection Insurance will now be available covering the non-delivery and/or incomplete delivery of online purchases - up to $1500.

  • payless69 on 16/08/2024 - 10:42
    +1

    Card number 257 cancelled.

    Huge burial party!!

  • shiprekt on 17/08/2024 - 07:43

    Anyone had luck with their Bendigo bank ready card getting approved?

    I lodged my application on the 8th August, still nothing other than an SMS advising the delays.

    They must have got swamped.

  • King Steuart on 17/08/2024 - 14:46

    I'm in the unique position of traveling to the UK for 5 weeks next month, so I'm going to take the $8 hit for the time spent there and cancel upon return. Looks like we're going with Bendigo Bank? I'd love to avoid the big 4.

    • timhn on 17/08/2024 - 15:14
      +1

      I'm going to take the $8 hit for the time spent there and cancel upon return

      Don't forget claim your $10 gift card before cancel.

      • King Steuart on 17/08/2024 - 15:49

        Yep definintely! Thanks

      • docpol on 17/08/2024 - 18:06

        What's the $10 gc?

        • CodeXD on 17/08/2024 - 18:08
          +1

          In the description

          • docpol on 17/08/2024 - 20:12

            @CodeXD: Ah, I see. We don't even know what the eligible transactions are, though.

            • CyberMurning on 17/08/2024 - 23:45

              @docpol: anything you buy that comes from ozb would be eligible

    • Lucille Bluth on 17/08/2024 - 19:31

      Why not order now, and request card be sent to UK if you don't get approved and card delivered before then? Even can order an emergency replacement and get it within 48hr for free anywhere in the world via DHL if you are jumping all over the place in UK and not anchored to one address.

      • King Steuart on 17/08/2024 - 21:30
        +1

        I think with my 3 credit cards I'm at my limit versus income. I can afford to wait. Definitely going to earn the $10 egift card for the next month or two.

  • GreenRomeo on 17/08/2024 - 19:39

    Still haven’t received any emails yet. If they don’t send us any email can we pretend it never happened and wait for some months and then ask them to refund the fees? It may buy you some time while waiting for the Bendigo card.

  • compound on 18/08/2024 - 04:25

    Might just keep it for these two:
    Complimentary Purchase Protection Insurance will now be available covering the loss of purchases due to accidental damage or theft - up to $1,500.
    Complimentary E-Commerce Protection Insurance will now be available covering the non-delivery and/or incomplete delivery of online purchases - up to $1,500.

    • mady123 on 31/08/2024 - 11:49

      What if the product we are claiming was purchached by another card other then 28 degree master card?

  • CyberMurning on 18/08/2024 - 09:24

    ok so i found that my uber one 6 months trial was setup using latitude (setup months ago, stacked with citi card and this latitude promo just started today till Feb 2025).
    what happen if i cancel latitiude, but leave the card details on uber app - but load some uber giftcard value on there will the uber still see me as uber one member or it can tell the card has been deactivated ?

  • Ughhh on 18/08/2024 - 09:44
    +2

    Macquarie debit card is pretty good for no OS transaction fees.

    Some would consider paying the $8 fee means you're funding the bank.

    • M00Cow on 24/08/2024 - 09:45

      and their 3% off Amazon GC's also helps.

  • JohnSy on 18/08/2024 - 11:27
    +1

    I am wondering if Latitude has now changed their account closure procedure and made it a bit more automated. We original submitted closure requests on two 28 degree accounts using the website more than a week ago, and they were both not closed yet as of today. We then tried again using the app today and they both closed immediately. So if there is anyone still waiting for the account to be closed I suggest using the app if you can.

    • Ringu on 18/08/2024 - 14:01

      They've been having issues with the website for the past few days:
      —-There is an intermittent issue at the moment and we are still working on it. Please use your mobile application for now.—-

      • INFIDEL on 19/08/2024 - 09:58

        Yes - Close account in App!

        Had tried twice to close on site.
        Showed was being processed, but could request to close again next day.
        Used app - received email of closure request. And email of closure.

    • rickb on 18/08/2024 - 15:05
      +1

      Closed my account using the app yesterday but it's still open.

    • timhn on 18/08/2024 - 20:54

      Yes, notice the same when I went and closed a week ago. Received confirmation immediately and the account is not visible any more when log back in app - can unhide it in the setting.

    • M00Cow on 24/08/2024 - 09:47
      +1

      I can't close on app, $0 balance, but apparently card balance isn't $0

      • tardis3 on 24/08/2024 - 14:47

        I had the same, took 4 days to clear. Now submitted closure via the app

  • INFIDEL on 18/08/2024 - 18:22
    +4

    Had this MC for 18 years - 6 months longer than Ozbargain has existed!!
    Mainly for overseas travel & cheaper conversion rate.

    Sadly closed 28 degrees account today😢

    First used May 2006 for 3 month holiday in Europe. Then on so many long overseas travels since.
    Back when funds could be added to MC, with free cash advance from own funds.

    No email from Latitude of new fees.
    Never received any Latitude offers…
    Barely used for $5 purchases in last 6 months.
    Certainly not worth paying $96/yr!

    Was counting on using FREE 28 degrees MC when recently closed "Fee Free" Commbank CC set up 30 years ago. Never paid fees or interest.
    Started charging $3/m if spent less than $300/m. (Got fees waived.)
    Thought that was bad enough. Not good for travel - when not using card.

    Moved to Commbank StepPay MC for small local purchases.

    Now to find an alternative for use overseas🤔

  • t0087669 on 18/08/2024 - 23:44

    Request to close the account more than a week ago on website, it says still “processing”. Unable to close account on app either. Anyone else having the same issue?

    • hellwolf on 19/08/2024 - 05:50

      Yup, mine is the same.

    • INFIDEL on 19/08/2024 - 09:59

      Closing on site did nothing other than show “processing”!

      Paid off $5 balance - in case that was an issue. Was set up to pay by Direct Debit, so shouldn't have been.
      (In closing Commbank CC, it had that as a condition to allow closure.)

      Left it a day, then closed in App.
      Received 2 emails confirming closure request & closure.

      • hellwolf on 19/08/2024 - 10:22

        I requested the account closure in the app last Saturday (10/08/2024) and received an email saying it was processing. When I selected account closure in the app last night, it shows it is still processing and won't let me submit it again.

        • INFIDEL on 19/08/2024 - 10:42
          -1

          Do you have $0 balance owing?

          Did you read the “processing” email received after app request to close:
          "If there is no balance owing on your account, your request will be actioned in up to 5 business days." (Past that for you)

          BUT "If your account cannot be closed (due to an outstanding balance)" - it will cause it to remain open & “processing” until paid!

          As had first paid off balance:
          Was actioned immediately in email update to ticket by Customer Care Rep:
          "Your account is now closed. You'll receive an automated account closure letter which will be issued 24 hours after closure."

          • hellwolf on 19/08/2024 - 13:05
            +1

            @INFIDEL: Yes, I read the email and I have $0 owing.

            • INFIDEL on 19/08/2024 - 17:40

              @hellwolf: Contact them.

              I had $5 balance outstanding from months ago. As nothing was bought, it was not required to be paid in monthly statements.
              But was required to be paid before account could be closed.

              • hellwolf on 20/08/2024 - 10:33

                @INFIDEL: Card is now closed. I received a message from 28 Degrees apologising for the delay last night and the closure letter was in my email this morning. So mine took 9 days as well.

                • INFIDEL on 20/08/2024 - 23:00
                  +1

                  @hellwolf: Apologies from financial institutions are rare!

                  Once got an apology from 28 degrees, when they put a stop to my MC on last day of month long holiday in Japan.
                  Before leaving, had notified them l would be in Japan!! Still they claimed the overseas use of card was suspicious😝

                  So couldn't pay for bus down from mountain village to flight home! And 28 degrees card was held.
                  Of course carried another CC, but that resulted in a large charge & almost missed last bus.

                  On my return, 28 degrees repaid my costs & sincerely apologised for their error.

                  Not a pleasant experience!

    • scotty on 19/08/2024 - 15:03

      Took 9 days for me from closing account on the website, to receiving the account-closed email.

      • Jase1 on 19/08/2024 - 18:55

        9 days for mine also.

  • CodeXD on 19/08/2024 - 10:43
    +3

    Just closed on app and instantly got account closure email!

  • j4ck on 19/08/2024 - 15:13
    +1

    Closed via the app today.

  • Tomato on 20/08/2024 - 00:01
    Merged from Latitude 28d Global Platinum Mastercard Card Fee Starts 17sep

    Now that 28 degrees will start charging a monthly fee, are u sticking around or have moved elsewhere with better deals and no overseas transaction fee? If so, where?

    Poll Result
    • Happy to pay $8/mth (3 votes)
    • Not Paying, cancelled my card (41 votes)
    • Not sure yet so will pay for now (6 votes)
    • Others, pls leave a comment (2 votes)
    • foxmulder on 20/08/2024 - 00:07
      +3

      This was discussed in previous thread. I personally have closed my account due to this.

      • jv on 20/08/2024 - 00:13
        +1

        Same.

    • jv on 20/08/2024 - 00:13
      -1

      If so, where?

      Bitcoin.

    • MeesusEff on 20/08/2024 - 02:41

      Not that big a deal to change my main spending CC to 28d. Current is the free Coles that gives me $10 flybuys for $4k, at least I'm $2 up with $1k. Increase in rates doesn't affect me since I pay it off before the statement date

      • JimmyF on 20/08/2024 - 09:42
        +1

        Not that big a deal to change my main spending CC to 28d

        If you don't use the 28d card that much to start with, what's the point in keeping it around?

        You're still paying $8/month to keep it, regardless of what you spend on it.

        Under a new rewards program, you will be eligible for a $10 e-gift card every statement period from participating retailers when you spend $1,000 or more on eligible transactions in each statement period.

        The spend $1k a month is to get $10 reward to spend elsewhere. It is not a $10 credit to your account to offset the fee, its a silly $10 voucher you have to remember to go claim each month for a retailer and then spend.

        Expand the "FAQs on Latitude Rewards Program" section for more details

        https://latitudefs.zendesk.com/hc/en-au/articles/25970394220…

        • MeesusEff on 20/08/2024 - 11:09

          I've got price protection, I use it to buy stuff that I can get 50-90% of my money back on. Yes, pay the $8 upfront but if I can get $10 off say Woolies or Coles then it's alright, just an extra step at checkout.

          Unless the 'eligible transactions' are for really specific places, then it looks like I'll be $48 (+husbands card) ahead a year overall.

          • JimmyF on 20/08/2024 - 11:38

            @MeesusEff:

            I've got price protection, I use it to buy stuff that I can get 50-90% of my money back on

            Well yes if you have that, then it will be worth the $96/year to keep the card around assuming they don't axe PP as well.

            Yes, pay the $8 upfront but if I can get $10 off say Woolies or Coles then it's alright, just an extra step at checkout.

            We will have to wait and see what the stores are in the redeem list. I doubt it'll be anything friendly that you'll be able to use like supermarkets! They basically don't want you using the voucher!

            I cancelled my card, dirty on them for bringing in a fee after years of claiming to be fee free!

            • MeesusEff on 20/08/2024 - 11:41

              @JimmyF: Yes it's a little shit to advertise as free and then sneak it in years later, but seems like most people use it sparingly anyway which is the fat they want to cut. Odd that they haven't released more details yet as it's next month, reminds me of the ubank mystery tier saga lol.

              And my turkey Netflix is working on the card 😂 not too sure why

    • chasingstoke on 20/08/2024 - 08:05
      +1

      Cancelled today. I begrudgingly paid the $1.95 bpay fee

      • jv on 20/08/2024 - 10:24

        I begrudgingly paid the $1.95 bpay fee

        Why didn't you set up direct debit? that is free.

        • aik on 20/08/2024 - 12:31

          How to trigger payment via the direct debit for the outstanding balance?

          I have direct debit set up and I stopped using the card right after the email, at the next cycle (15th aug) it debited my cash account but just for the last statement so I still owe 28deg money which they will debit what, 15th sept? And then I will only have 2 days to close the account and this takes ages. So chances are they will charge 8$ after 17th and I may have to call them and argue.

          • jv on 20/08/2024 - 12:32

            @aik:

            How to trigger payment via the direct debit for the outstanding balance?

            I can pay off the balance at any time through the website. It uses my direct debit account.

            • aik on 20/08/2024 - 12:57

              @jv: How? I just cannot find it. "Pay my account", choose "direct debit" where it suggests setting up scheduled direct debit. No "pay now" button anywhere.

              • CodeXD on 20/08/2024 - 13:02

                @aik: "Pay my account" and then there is an option to enter bsb and account number to pull money from.

                My account is already closed so I cannot give more specific instructions.

              • jv on 20/08/2024 - 13:06

                @aik: "Make Payment" button in the Overview

              • Lucille Bluth on 20/08/2024 - 18:11
                +1

                @aik: Make a payment
                1. Pay to
                2. Select amount
                3. Select payment method
                Select Bank account
                Add bank account

                Free. No charge. No bpay fee. Been doing this for years.

                They also have free phone payment if you can be arsed waiting and going through their stupid robo prompts including verification, only to have to verify yourself again to a human. Infuriating.

                • aik on 20/08/2024 - 21:20

                  @Lucille Bluth: yeah, i got that but it's not the direct debit i set up ages ago, this one requires account verification and waiting. oh well, going this now.

                  • Lucille Bluth on 20/08/2024 - 21:34

                    @aik: Yes you need to verify the bank account. In 48 hours you'll get 2 small deposits then you can use it going forward

      • jizmo on 21/08/2024 - 15:56

        I feel your pain, I think I'm going to do the same. NAB are really going out of their way to be not nice.

    • boomramada on 20/08/2024 - 08:17
      +6

      This poll would be better if, "I cancelled my card, and which alternative provider do you go with?"

      • timhn on 20/08/2024 - 15:00

        then that would be another topic on that , or just use this link

    • payless69 on 20/08/2024 - 09:56

      Is this still a topic?

      • jv on 20/08/2024 - 10:25
        +2

        a topic?

        sensitivity to allergens

  • chasingstoke on 20/08/2024 - 08:13

    Put in my account close request today.

    I begrudgingly paid the $1.95 bpay fee.

    • CodeXD on 20/08/2024 - 09:03
      +6

      You can pay off the account without the bpay fee. Log onto the dashboard and click on 'pay my account', then put in your bank's BSB/Account to pull the funds from. It will take ~3 days but no fee so you don't need to give them any more money.

      • chasingstoke on 20/08/2024 - 09:50

        Thanks! Hopefully others will see this.

        I was frustrated and just wanted it done instantly.

  • smokenmirraz on 20/08/2024 - 09:48
    +2

    +1 to the closed my account today group.

    It was an ok product for the old price. Just wish I'd signed up for the price protection before they removed that option years ago.

  • burningrage on 20/08/2024 - 10:31

    Closed my account last week and still showed as open????

    Re-closing again this time from the app. See what comes next.

    • Bredo on 20/08/2024 - 11:11

      Yeah don't worry about it, it takes them a while to process the account closure. I was like closing it again and again (almost daily), makes no difference

    • CodeXD on 20/08/2024 - 11:46
      +1

      I closed from app and instantly received closure confirmation.

  • tpa on 20/08/2024 - 11:49

    Could someone that has closed their card confirm they can still access their statement history. Thanks

    • CodeXD on 20/08/2024 - 11:52

      My account is closed and I still have access to statement history.

      • tpa on 20/08/2024 - 11:56

        Thanks for confirming. There doesn't seem to be an easy way to contact Latitude easily atm.

    • timhn on 20/08/2024 - 15:02
      +1

      Unhide the account in App and then you can see all trans history/statements as before.

  • messiah1095 on 20/08/2024 - 18:52
    +1

    Just had my Bendigo cc approved today (uploaded the supported docs but forgot to hit submit, doh!). Will see how it goes with the new card and cancel the 28 degrees once I've switched my recurring payments across.

  • dealperson on 20/08/2024 - 20:37

    About a week after cancelling via the app, I have received an email from them (yes, looks legit) quoting the ticket number asking me to confirm my credit limit to 'verify' the account. No I haven't clicked on anything or replied to it.

    Are these guys stalling and making closing difficult now? What's the story? Anyone else?

    Edit; $0 balance too. I used to use it regularly too so maybe not a customer they want to see go.

    • Lucille Bluth on 20/08/2024 - 21:35

      Edit; $0 balance too

      That's the current 0% 12 month balance transfer promo available for all. Funnily enough, I took their offer up and transfered my entire personal loan balance to the credit card. Happily will save quite a bit of interest and the $13 account fee … even with the 3% balance transfer fee.

      Then will pay it off before interest period and say good bye forever.

  • Partake0486 on 20/08/2024 - 20:50
    +1

    I'm primarily using this card for my Argentina Youtube premium. I've just tried updating the payment details with my Ubank and HSBC cards; both rejected. Anyone know if the Bendigo or Bankwest cards work?

    • clover on 20/08/2024 - 22:41
      +1

      Bank west works for me

    • zegoat on 21/08/2024 - 09:46
      +3

      I updated my YouTube to my Up card (which is essentially Bendigo) and the first monthly payment went through okay

  • Vavoom on 21/08/2024 - 10:36
    +3

    I decided to sit through a 30 minute phone queue but once I was talking to an operator, they closed my account on the spot once seeing that my balance was zero. I logged on during the phone call and could see that my account changed to closed status.

    So for those who are somewhat impatient or if the deadline is getting close, I recommend just calling them.

    • Aesir5 on 23/08/2024 - 15:50

      Yeap super easy over the phone (if account balance is $0)

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