What cheeses me off

[MARTINE]

Hi Martine, Thank you for letting us know that you had a double membership running. Double banners can look pretty impressive, but it's a bit costly, so we have fully refunded you your Gold membership and stopped the payment subscription for it.

Thanks admin
I checked my credit card today and it says $75 refund pending. Much appreciated

 

[JohnK]

Interesting observation with mum and dads Home & Contents last month.

Purchased policy in July 2023 with premium of $930. Renewal in July 2024 came through at $1150 which is huge increase. Both building and contents Sum insured have been automatically adjusted by renewal but these changes amount to $20-$30 at most so it would appear they've adjusted premium factors for 2nd year policy.

I checked new quote using house number a few houses away and premium down to $1030. Closer to renewal I cancelled the existing policy and created a new quote and purchased and the best I could do was $1250 which is more than the renewal. I did another quote for house next door and premium is lower. Looks like the sneaky insurance company is detecting we've been existing customers and factoring premium accordingly.

I cancelled and purchased with AAMI and the premium was $867 which is $300 cheaper than the renewal. Looks like need to shop around each renewal as that's just throwing money away.

I'm not going to mention the insurance company but Commbank, NRMA and Suncorp have done the same recently so they're all been very sneaky.

 

[Pushka]

Interesting observation with mum and dads Home & Contents last month.

Purchased policy in July 2023 with premium of $930. Renewal in July 2024 came through at $1150 which is huge increase. Both building and contents Sum insured have been automatically adjusted by renewal but these changes amount to $20-$30 at most so it would appear they've adjusted premium factors for 2nd year policy.

I checked new quote using house number a few houses away and premium down to $1030. Closer to renewal I cancelled the existing policy and created a new quote and purchased and the best I could do was $1250 which is more than the renewal. I did another quote for house next door and premium is lower. Looks like the sneaky insurance company is detecting we've been existing customers and factoring premium accordingly.

I cancelled and purchased with AAMI and the premium was $867 which is $300 cheaper than the renewal. Looks like need to shop around each renewal as that's just throwing money away.

I'm not going to mention the insurance company but Commbank, NRMA and Suncorp have done the same recently so they're all been very sneaky.

Yep. Common practise. NRMA gave us our quote for renewal, stated there was a loyalty discount, multiple policy discount but a huge hike anyway. Tried a new quote, several hundreds lower. But then it worked out it was same house. Went to a different company. Same with car insurance as well. Last year a couple of hundred dollars difference, for same car but this time I was able to do it with same company. The person I spoke to simply said it was a New Policy benefit and would not be able to wrangle it next year. We will see. You need to check every year and I've been doing this each time a renewal comes in for about 5 years now. The worst I experienced this year was with Health Insurance. Qantas Insurance, NIB, I'm looking at you. I should have done it last year but don't tend to do it with Health Insurance but will now. Bupa was $30 a month cheaper for exactly the same policy.

 

[VPS]

Harrumph it is also the flag of Norway and I should’ve got it right

 

[JohnK]

Last month I made a booking with rentalcars and stupidly paid with ANZ Visa instead of 28 Degrees.

Rentalcars charges in AUD and I paid $595 and I've just noticed that ANZ has included close to $18 in foreign currency transaction fees.

Can someone please explain why when I've been charged in AUD? That rentalcars is based in London should have nothing to do with it. Surely ANZ are taking the piss?

I can book again with rentalcars at the same rate. I'm getting 10% cashback with this booking and current cashback is 5.60% but I'm willing to cancel the booking and forfeit the 5% cashback on principle. I will be sending ANZ feedback telling them they are taking the piss.

 

[SYD]

Last month I made a booking with rentalcars and stupidly paid with ANZ Visa instead of 28 Degrees.

Rentalcars charges in AUD and I paid $595 and I've just noticed that ANZ has included close to $18 in foreign currency transaction fees.

Can someone please explain why when I've been charged in AUD? That rentalcars is based in London should have nothing to do with it. Surely ANZ are taking the piss?

I can book again with rentalcars at the same rate. I'm getting 10% cashback with this booking and current cashback is 5.60% but I'm willing to cancel the booking and forfeit the 5% cashback on principle. I will be sending ANZ feedback telling them they are taking the piss.

It’s quite common and cough$ me to bits. Fortunately, I’ve not had that big of a slug however…

 

[Pushka]

It’s quite common and cough$ me to bits. Fortunately, I’ve not had that big of a slug however…

I was going to use my Amex in Bali for $1500 accommodation bill. It was going to be $85. That's Amex for you.

 

[JohnK]

It’s quite common and cough$ me to bits. Fortunately, I’ve not had that big of a slug however…

Even if charged in AUD? How did ANZ do any currency conversion?

 

[Pushka]

Even if charged in AUD? How did ANZ do any currency conversion?

Every time you use credit card 'overseas' there is the option to have the conversion done 'on the spot' or via the credit card.

 

[MARTINE]

Every time you use credit card 'overseas' there is the option to have the conversion done 'on the spot' or via the credit card.

Yes - its one of those counterintuitive quirks where its cheaper to press the local currency than your own when paying. Latter takes two coversions to achieve and 2x fees

 

[JohnK]

Every time you use credit card 'overseas' there is the option to have the conversion done 'on the spot' or via the credit card.

Not with this one. Rentalcars charges in AUD. No other option. Even if I choose GBP it is for display purposes only and they will charge in AUD. This is quite clear on their website.

Note I have never had an issue with Agoda, Trip.com, Booking.com as all of these are based overseas. Never had an issue with QEEQ either as I use Amex for that one and they charge AUD.

ANZ are taking the piss. I wonder what FOS has to say. ANZ can pay to answer my query if they don't refund the charge.

 

[Pushka]

Not with this one. Rentalcars charges in AUD. No other option. Even if I choose GBP it is for display purposes only and they will charge in AUD. This is quite clear on their website.

Note I have never had an issue with Agoda, Trip.com, Booking.com as all of these are based overseas. Never had an issue with QEEQ either as I use Amex for that one and they charge AUD.

ANZ are taking the piss. I wonder what FOS has to say. ANZ can pay to answer my query if they don't refund the charge.

There is still a conversion done if you are booking something based overseas and paying in AUD. Booking and Agoda have fluid currency rates.

 

[JohnK]

There is still a conversion done if you are booking something based overseas and paying in AUD. Booking and Agoda have fluid currency rates.

What conversion? My statement says AUD only. No reference to any other currency that required a conversion.

I disagree about Agoda and any others. Their rate is AUD and I have never been charged currency conversion only if I choose to pay later as that is in hotel currency. In fact if I'm not mistaken Agoda charges from London office.

Anyway this is going to AFCA if ANZ does not refund the fee.

 

[drron]

WCMO is people who have absolutely no spatial awareness. It is nearly universal in Japan. But yesterday 2 women took it to new levels. One in Coles the other in a pharmac_. They were able to walk down aisles with their trolley sideways. Both blissfully unaware of anyone around them.

 

[SYD]

Yes - its one of those counterintuitive quirks where its cheaper to press the local currency than your own when paying. Latter takes two coversions to achieve and 2x fees

No, these aren’t DCC. You book or buy something online and quoted AUD (usually on a .au website) but the underlying purchase is actually a foreign currency, so the CC / DC provider slugs you 3%. It’s probably illegal but happens a lot.

 

[JohnK]

So AirServices Australia thinks moving more than 80 flights a day over Toowong is going to solve aircraft noise issues. It's been going on for 3-4 hours this morning. I woke up 2-3 times during the night. Annoying. Distracting.

I saw the flyer they sent this week. Almost all the flight paths take off and land over land. FFS stop protecting airlines. Take off and land over water should solve most noise issues.

P.S. I wouldn't be surprised if the actual number is more than 80 flights a day.

 

[RealtimeY]

That rentalcars is based in London should have nothing to do with it. Surely ANZ are taking the piss?

That's exactly what it is, and it's not just ANZ doing it unfortunately. I believe Amex is the only major credit card issuer that doesn't do that.

Your account fees and charges do usually state it and warn you to check with the merchant first where you will be charged from, but this is really not practical.

 

[p--and--t]

Hotels and Booking Sites!!!!!

Need a hotel in Melbourne for three nights. Radisson is most convenient and has pool and spa tub.

Trivago says cheapest Radisson Melbourne for the dates is $771 but wants me to book and pay via a site I never heard of.
Whotif says cheapest stay at Radisson is $777 plus $59pn breakfast
Booking.com says cheapest room $777 plus $60pn breakfast
Radisson says $776.70 unless a member plus $50pn breakfast
Hotels.com via PC says $777 but discount if member $699 plus $50pn breakfast
Hotels.com same site but via App says $660 plus $50pn breakfast plus discount $139 on next stay if member

 

[p--and--t]

So AirServices Australia thinks moving more than 80 flights a day over Toowong is going to solve aircraft noise issues. It's been going on for 3-4 hours this morning. I woke up 2-3 times during the night. Annoying. Distracting.

I saw the flyer they sent this week. Almost all the flight paths take off and land over land. FFS stop protecting airlines. Take off and land over water should solve most noise issues.

P.S. I wouldn't be surprised if the actual number is more than 80 flights a day.

On the Ask the Pilot thread I asked about BNE noise protocols and was told unless weather/wind prevents then they are supposed to use both runways to facilitate simultaneous take-off and landings over water from 10pm to 6am.

Miracles of miracles they must of had bad weather or winds every single night for the last 13 months as woken between 4am and 5 am most mornings and definitely woken by multiple landings between 4-6 every morning. Also the main noise at night starts after 10pm.

Caveat: I was overseas for 6 weeks of the last 13months so can't comment on those 6 weeks

 

[CMA222]

What conversion? My statement says AUD only. No reference to any other currency that required a conversion.

I disagree about Agoda and any others. Their rate is AUD and I have never been charged currency conversion only if I choose to pay later as that is in hotel currency. In fact if I'm not mistaken Agoda charges from London office.

Anyway this is going to AFCA if ANZ does not refund the fee.

No, these aren’t DCC. You book or buy something online and quoted AUD (usually on a .au website) but the underlying purchase is actually a foreign currency, so the CC / DC provider slugs you 3%. It’s probably illegal but happens a lot.

Check you terms and conditions for your ANZ card (which are sent out electronically and that no one ever reads) on how transactions are processed. Often the card company VIsa/Mastercard have a process that transfers any foreign currency transactions from the underlying currency to US$'s and back to the displayed currency. It all involves fees usually involving about 3% for the bank. ANZ will have it covered in their T's and C's and any reference to the AFCA requires you to contact the credit provider first, when they will refer you to their T's and C's.