FNB credit card

SAdata

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2012
Messages
396
Hi everyone. I went to an FNB branch today and requested a gold credit card account to be opened and the agent processed the application. She then told me that they had offered me a platinum credit card. I again stated that I wanted a gold credit card only but she said that the system automatically offers the highest possible level and she couldn't do anything about it at this stage. I would have to receive the platinum card and only after that request a downgrade. I said that is ridiculous but fine I will do that.

When I got home I again wondered why I could not have gotten a quotation for a gold card instead of a platinum card. I phoned the call centre and they said that the system does not automatically offer the highest level card you can request the level of card you want - contrary to what the agent said.

Does anyone know how this system works? Does it automatically grant you the highest product and you then have to downgrade it later. Or did the agent just chose the option that gave her the biggest commission... If anyone knows I'd greatly appreciate it.

PS I try to minimise my banking costs so paying R360 more a year for a different colour card annoys me..
 

Foxhound5366

Executive Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2014
Messages
9,131
PS I try to minimise my banking costs so paying R360 more a year for a different colour card annoys me..

Um, I'm sure the fee difference between gold and platinum isn't that high. EDIT: Turns out it is ... an extra R29/month, so an extra R348/year.

The colours at the end of the day are just a small indication of minimum salary, and for some people alone that's worth it.

I've never really bothered about it, but now you've gotten me curious about the fee structure lol.

All I can say about this I was on a Gold Cheque and Gold Credit card with FNB, then one day I got a call that said I qualified for an upgrade on the Cheque card to Platinum. That was processed, and lo and behold a second phonecall, inviting me to upgrade my credit card to Platinum too.

I'm pretty sure you'd have a choice for which one you go for though.
 
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DrJohnZoidberg

Honorary Master
Joined
Jul 24, 2006
Messages
23,995
I'm pretty sure you can choose. They keep sms'ing me wanting me to upgrade but I'm not going to pay all that extra for benefits that I'll never use.
 

Foxhound5366

Executive Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2014
Messages
9,131
I'm pretty sure you can choose. They keep sms'ing me wanting me to upgrade but I'm not going to pay all that extra for benefits that I'll never use.

Lol, maybe it grows old after a while, but I still enjoy the colour of the cards. I worked hard to get to a spot where I qualified for them, it's not just about paying more for nothing.

It's better than looking at the minimum requirements for a Private Wealth card, and then just sobbing :D
 

DrJohnZoidberg

Honorary Master
Joined
Jul 24, 2006
Messages
23,995
Um, I'm sure the fee difference between gold and platinum isn't that high. EDIT: Turns out it is ... an extra R29/month, so an extra R348/year.

The colours at the end of the day are just a small indication of minimum salary, and for some people alone that's worth it.

I've never really bothered about it, but now you've gotten me curious about the fee structure lol.

All I can say about this I was on a Gold Cheque and Gold Credit card with FNB, then one day I got a call that said I qualified for an upgrade on the Cheque card to Platinum. That was processed, and lo and behold a second phonecall, inviting me to upgrade my credit card to Platinum too.

I'm pretty sure you'd have a choice for which one you go for though.

R63pm for platinum vs R32pm for gold.

So R228 pa more for platinum. I think my calculations are correct, here is the fee table: https://www.fnb.co.za/downloads/pricing-guide/Personal_Pricing.pdf
 

SAdata

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2012
Messages
396
My issue is I specifically asked for a gold one and NOT platinum but she just did her own thing which is highly unethical.
 

K.J

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2011
Messages
739
Are there any good benefits of platinum over gold?
 

Foxhound5366

Executive Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2014
Messages
9,131
R63pm for platinum vs R32pm for gold.

So R228 pa more for platinum. I think my calculations are correct, here is the fee table: https://www.fnb.co.za/downloads/pricing-guide/Personal_Pricing.pdf

Old pricing, it's gone up from the start of this month ;)

As for the benefits, I've never really bothered. The one time I was in the airport and wanted to use the lounge benefit, I was told that I couldn't because it didn't apply to the lounge at that the international terminal, only the domestic terminal.

Go figure, there's always a catch.
 

SAdata

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2012
Messages
396
Again... My point is - is there anyone who has recently gone through applying for a credit card with FNB and did it give you a choice for which one to apply for or was it automatic
 

jerome000

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2007
Messages
222
Should not be automatic or forced to take a product - you are now inconvenienced with time taken to downgrade...
 

iDOL

Expert Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2006
Messages
2,470
@SAdata, the agent was incorrect- you are offered the highest but they are able to select the correct card as per your request.

You can also do it via the FNB Online website and apply for a Credit Card.
 

midnightcaller

Expert Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2010
Messages
2,328
My issue is I specifically asked for a gold one and NOT platinum but she just did her own thing which is highly unethical.

The answer to this lies in the incentive plan for the agents who sell these products to you.
 

3WA

Honorary Master
Joined
Sep 25, 2012
Messages
19,692
Are there any good benefits of platinum over gold?

Higher limits in some ebucks earn categories.

To the original post, when I got my card, the consultant told me that I couldn't open a lower account. Didn't fuss about it, but a few people told me afterwards that that is not correct.
 
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