Hi all - There are many threads about the Maestro Card, but do not see one discussing commissions.

I have a Maestro from CS; one in CHF and one in Euro. When I use the Euro Maestro card in a country that uses the Euro as currency (ie Spain, France, Germany), I am seeing commission charges.

Does anyone know if it is a flat fee (it does not seem to be) or a %? How much is it? And has it always been this way? I do not remember this happening 6 years ago, but maybe I just did not look closely at my statements.

If there is a commission on every foreign transaction, then the card is basically worthless to me when traveling.

Thanks for feedback!

fduvall

I have UBS Maestro and they started charging additional fee I think somewhere in 2010.

In my case they charge some percentage (with a minimum of 1 or 2 CHF) for every international transaction (+ currency conversion fee) -- which means that it's a bad idea to pay with it for small purchases.

I have two cards in CHF and Euro from Post, with a Plus Set from them, I was told it will be no cost to use the Euro card at atms in Euro using country, except 3rd party's charge. Up to now, I haven't use it yet, so no answer.

Some Maestro card such as UBS charge 1% of transaction min 1.5eur which is converted to CHF. This applies to both cash withdrawals and use in shops.

Outrageous.

AYB

Update - My friendly banker at CS sent me this link:
https://www.credit-suisse.com/ch/pri.../ecmaestro.jsp

They charge 3.50CHF for a withdrawal from a foreign ATM and 1.50 for a transaction.

Guess I will be using a different card going forward.

Other cards often cost more, even a French card used in DE costs money

True, and some cards have lower costs. With SEPA, I can transfer funds with almost NO cost to my Spanish acct and use my local bank card.

fduvall

Since when PF (Postfinance) started charging commission on withdrawals from CS (Credit-Suisse) account? Never had had that before for past four years but recently I was charged CHF2 on CHF100 cash (CHF102). Mind you, Swiss bank, Swiss money and CHF cash withdrawal. Is this some kind of new legislatation in 2012 by Swiss banks? Anybody experienced alike?

Looks like you are getting "Switzerlanded!"

Yes it is, I was told this when I opened my account earlier this month. I do know that with a Bonviva package at CS, a certain amount is included in the package (the fees that is). I guess the banks found another way to charge fees...

Can someone confirm that for sure as I had never been charged a cent in the past years when drawing from Aargauische Kantonal Bank ATM and exactly same ATM. Never! It's not that I care about my 2chuffs but either you have integrity and stick to commonly used practice or at least have decency to inform customers about recent changes.

Have a look here, jacek:

https://www.credit-suisse.com/ch/pri...1501874_en.pdf

More specifically, at page 10. I believe that most, if not all, will follow in the footsteps of CS at one point?

Anyone can rewrite the manual as one pleases and here you learn the hard way... Another absurd trick is my car installments on monthly basis charging statutory fee of CHF2.80 a month extra. Don't wanna be overtly picky here but one of my New Year's resolutions calls for looking into my expenses and try to save a buck here and there...

You are absolutely right, jacek. I learned about this because I recently moved to Switzerland, so I am a new client

This hasn't been communicated to the regular clients then, I presume?

Most banks charge this. Postfinance are only free if you have the plus service as a benefit or have 25k in assets with them (incl pillar 3a)