Citibank Plus - No Fee No Overseas Transaction Fee Account

[moa999]

I thought I had read it somewhere that they did, but no personal experience, so exclude me on the hearsay rule
and let markis's version stand.


As for the list - I would be more inclined just to list those that charge - reality is most countries don't, which I would break down into two categories.

1. Countries using Direct Charging - only machines on the 'home network' are free - eg. Aus, US, UK

2. Countries with a Foreigner surcharge - eg. Thailand, Cambodia

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

That's perfect moa.

Foreign ATMs that charge for using the CitiBank Plus card:

1. Countries using Direct Charging - only machines on the 'home network' are free - eg. Aus, US (US$1-5), UK;

2. Countries with a Foreigner surcharge - eg. Thailand (THB150-180), Cambodia (~US$3), Philipines (~PHP200), PNG (~PGK20);

3. Unverified by AFF gurus, but beware - Germany, Spain

 

[moa999]

This page also suggests their 'may'' be charges in Germany and Spain in particular
ATM usage fees - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I think in the UK, most high street banks are free, just 'convenience machines' that might have charges, but again no recent experience.

 

[Flashback]

This page also suggests their 'may'' be charges in Germany and Spain in particular
ATM usage fees - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I think in the UK, most high street banks are free, just 'convenience machines' that might have charges, but again no recent experience.

I can confirm that. 99% of ATM's are fee free anyway, and most have a large sign above them saying so. It's usually those inside a small off license that may charge, but it does tell you. Walk 5m down the road and no issues finding fee free.

I have had no charge also in Germany, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Malta, Morocco, France, Portugal, Croatia, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Brunei - all at non Citibank ATMs....

 

[QF029]

That's perfect moa.

Foreign ATMs that charge for using the CitiBank Plus card:

1. Countries using Direct Charging - only machines on the 'home network' are free - eg. Aus, US (US$1-5), UK;

2. Countries with a Foreigner surcharge - eg. Thailand (THB150-180), Cambodia (~US$3), Philipines (~PHP200), PNG (~PGK20);

3. Unverified by AFF gurus, but beware - Germany, Spain

At the risk of being pedantic, Thailand falls into category 1.

 

[Flashback]

At the risk of being pedantic, Thailand falls into category 1.

.... and UK doesn't fall into cat 1.

 

[moa999]

UK falls into cat1 for convenience stores, off licences, just the major banks don't direct charge (or alternatively have a large home network)

Thailand i believe is cat 2 with a foreigner surcharge at all machines (apart from the Citi machines of which there are 3 in Bangkok). If you have a local card fees are much lower and based on province (eg 20bt out of province fee) as I understand it.

 

[thehound]

I need to pay someone in the US ~$2000USD for a holiday home rental we're using on a trip next year. He's requested a cheque be sent to his address in New York, but I was wondering - would it be cheaper for me to transfer the funds to his account from the CitiPlus account? I haven't drawn up an international cheque before but assume it comes with a $30-50 bank fee, plus it would have a poorer exchange rate wouldn't it? What is the best method of paying this fee? Many thanks.

 

[travelislife]

I need to pay someone in the US ~$2000USD for a holiday home rental we're using on a trip next year. He's requested a cheque be sent to his address in New York, but I was wondering - would it be cheaper for me to transfer the funds to his account from the CitiPlus account? I haven't drawn up an international cheque before but assume it comes with a $30-50 bank fee, plus it would have a poorer exchange rate wouldn't it? What is the best method of paying this fee? Many thanks.

Use something like paypal, I would never do a direct cash transfer for something like that. He can very easily issue you an invoice. The fee is usually 2.5% I think. $50 for some peace of mind by being able to pay by credit card for something like that is worth it's weight in gold.

 

[markis10]

Use something like paypal, I would never do a direct cash transfer for something like that. He can very easily issue you an invoice. The fee is usually 2.5% I think. $50 for some peace of mind by being able to pay by credit card for something like that is worth it's weight in gold.

Paypal fees would be closer to 6% once you take their currency spread into calculations.

 

[travelislife]

Paypal fees would be closer to 6% once you take their currency spread into calculations.

You don't have to use their spread. An invoice can be issued by the seller in USD and it can be paid by any credit card by the buyer with whatever credit card they want (i.e 28degrees with no fees, or even your citibank debit card). Although Paypal doesn't like it you can agree to pay the paypal fee to the seller by the seller issuing the invoice for the total amount, i.e $2000 * 1.025 = $2050. I agree avoid using paypal's currency spread whenever you can.

 

[gregff]

Citi offer fee-free USD bank drafts (cheques) via their online banking to Citibank Plus account holders. The downside is that they take a few days to issue, however, and are mailed (snail mail) from their Sydney office. They dont seem available in person from at least the regional branches, such as Melbourne, just by internet banking. Check, because I think the exchange rate they use for the free Drafts is better than the online free international electronic transfers (which seem a little more expensive in terms of exchange rate) than the quoted rate for Drafts, at least when I checked a few months back.

 

[RooFlyer]

Bank of America, ATM in Chicago - $US1.50 fee

 

[knasty]

BoA PHL $2 fee...

 

[QF029]

Thailand i believe is cat 2 with a foreigner surcharge at all machines (apart from the Citi machines of which there are 3 in Bangkok). If you have a local card fees are much lower and based on province (eg 20bt out of province fee) as I understand it.

This thread is about using your Citibank Plus card. Category 1 is "only machines on the home network are free".

In this scenario Citibank machines are the home network and they're free.

I've been charged away bank fees in the US and Australia so this doesn't make Thailand unique. I think the unique things about Citibank Plus in Thailand are the very small number of ATMs and the cartel-like fees for NON Citibank ATMs.

 

[OzEire]

Tried the Plus card in two ATMs at AUH airport, both declined on a numbered error (no description of the problem). CBA keycard worked first go, but I will he stung the CBA o/s ATM fee.

For me this is a Citi fail... It was the reason I got this card.

 

[JessicaTam]

Is the ATM fee listed separately to the withdrawal itself? Or do I need to reverse the exchange rate and see what was debited in the local currency?

I have cash withdrawals at ATMs in Germany (Sparkasse) Italy and the US with no fees showing, and the exchange rate is about right.

 

[travelislife]

Is the ATM fee listed separately to the withdrawal itself? Or do I need to reverse the exchange rate and see what was debited in the local currency?

I have cash withdrawals at ATMs in Germany (Sparkasse) Italy and the US with no fees showing, and the exchange rate is about right.

The ATM fee will be shown on the ATM before you proceed with the withdrawal, so you will know. But when it comes up on your citi transactions it will be grouped in with your withdrawel, so won't be a separate line item.

 

[JessicaTam]

The ATM fee will be shown on the ATM before you proceed with the withdrawal, so you will know. But when it comes up on your citi transactions it will be grouped in with your withdrawel, so won't be a separate line item.

All of the ATMs I have used recently have advised me that there is a fee, and do I accept it. Looking at the exchange rates, none of them appear to have actually charged me the fee.

 

[travelislife]

All of the ATMs I have used recently have advised me that there is a fee, and do I accept it. Looking at the exchange rates, none of them appear to have actually charged me the fee.

Have they given you the exact amount for the fee on the screen prior to proceeding? Or is it the general statement staying that your bank may charge you a fee for using this ATM, do you agree to continue? If the later then there is no fee from the ATM. And obviously no fee from Citibank.