Paying for next year
This is with regard to my credit card from United Arab Bank (UAB). The credit card was sent to me when I set up a salary transfer account with them, where I also have a loan.
Initially, they told me it’s a ‘free for life’ card, but later on, after a year, they charged me with an annual fee. I never used the credit card - it has always been in my locker.
One day, I got an SMS from the bank regarding the credit card’s annual fee payment of Dh500, which I found surprising as the credit card limit was just Dh5,000 (very low).
I called the bank and tried to cancel my card, but they said I should visit their branch to cancel it. I went to the branch and then came to know I have to pay Dh500 to cancel the card as it has been charged. I told them this annual fee is for the next year and I don’t want the credit card from now onwards. Still, they kept asking me to pay Dh500 and instead of cancelling the card, they just blocked it.
I don’t want to use the card and I know this is not the first bank to reverse the card fee if you want to retain the card for another year. I have seen many other examples where banks either reverse the payment or cancel the card if someone doesn’t want to pay the annual fee. But in this case they are happy to cancel it upon the payment of the annual fee, which is actually a fee for next year!
From Ms Saeeda Riaz
Dubai
The management of United Arab Bank responds:
Thank you for providing us the opportunity to resolve the issue. We have already spoken with the customer and settled the issue, which occurred due to a misunderstanding. The charges have been reversed and confirmed to the customer who was happy to close the complaint. You may verify the same on your part and treat the issue closed.
Ms Riaz responds:
Thank you for your assistance. I’m happy with the resolution.
Editor’s note: Do you have similar issues that you would like to raise with us? You can write to us at readers@gulfnews.com
