Job Discussion Forums

[Sigmuu]

Greetings:
My wife and I will be returning to Canada this summer and we desperately need a reliable credit card for reserving rooms and renting cars. Last year, I applied for and received an American Express Blue Card and it worked quite well until the very end of our vacation when two different rent-a-car companies in Canada declined it. I have spoken to the representative at the American Express Office in Al-Khobar and he was rather unhelpful, telling me that the declines wouldn't happen again but gives me no good reason why they happened in the first place. My reaction is to apply for and hopefully receive another credit card and cancel my Ampex card as quickly as possible. I have approached the Saudi British Bank but they want me to deposit 20,000 rials before I receive a card from them. However, if unauthorized charges are put on my card (which can happen to anyone), how long will this bank wait for clarification when can they dip into my account and my 20,000 SAR immediately? No thanks. American Express in Saudi Arabia was great with no links to my bank account but once something is unreliable even on one occasion, or even twice, it is time to look for alternative in my opinion. However, what bank or even independent credit card office can I turn to? Any advice anyone can me in this matter are greatly appreciated.

[Bebsi]

Hi there,

If you want a bank that you can rely on to never make a mistake, you can always try the National Bank of Utopia!!

I'm sorry if that sounds facetious, I don't mean to be, but basically, I doubt if such an institution exists. They all make mistakes, they all have their good points and unfortunately, their bad points.

However, in terms of practical advice, I would say if you want a credit card, shop around. How long have you been in KSA? If you have been there three years, most banks will give you a credit card if you furnish them with a letter from your employer stating your salary, your length of service etc. They may not give you a huge limit to begin with, they will probably give you 3/4 of your base salary to see how you are, then after 6 mths seek a raise from them and if you have been behaving yourself (reasonably anyway!!) they will probably give it to you.

Try Banque Saudi Fransi...I have used them and found them to be excellent...well up to western standards. If they don't give you what you want, then you will have to shop around. Also try National Commercial bank. They are supposed to have very good interest rates.

If you can't get a credit card that way, there are two others with most banks: 1. Get a guarantor who is a Saudi...you could try asking your employer...some do it, some don't. 2. Give them a deposit. If you do that, yes, they could take the money for unauthorised transactions. However, in fairness to most banks, unauthorised charges are usually errors, and the money will be refunded when you make a big deal of it.
That being said, I have found Saudi Fransi pretty fair and very competent.

Bottom line is, if you can't get a credit card, you will have no choice but to deposit the money with them. SAR 20K sounds like a lot...different banks have different requirements...I repeat...SHOP AROUND. Most of them will ask you to deposit the equivalent of the limit being sought with maybe about 10% extra to cover charges or interest rates should you default.

Best of luck, and yes, I know what it's like trying to hire a car . Incidentally, I would ALWAYS avoid the big names, three companies in particular!! However, Dollar Thrifty and Enterprise are good, among others...basically the smaller outfits....many of them also accept cash instead of credit cards, and others will just take an imprint of your card as security but accept cash as payment.

If you want to PM me, please feel free.

Bebsi.

[Stephen Jones]

Why don't you just apply to the bank your salary gets paid into?

[Bebsi]

Excellent suggestion, Stephen. However, I assume that Sigmuu HAS approached that bank (Saudi British?) and I gave my advice based on that. However, yes, Sigmuu, if you haven't approached the bank your salary is paid into, you should do that as a first-stop.

A thought has just occurred to me: that your salary is NOT paid into a bank account as you are in KSA on a visit-visa, as some employers such as Al Falak do. I doubt if your wife would be with you in that case, however. If that IS the case, though, forget a credit card in KSA...they will want you to show a residence permit, to open even a bank account for you, never mind give you a credit card.

I reiterate: if you want further advice, PM me.

[scot47]

Be warned that if you have a credit card from a Saudi Bank you should cancel it LONG before you plan to leave the Kingdom.

If you have not given sufficient notice the bank may ask you to deposit a guarantee equal to the limit on the card. This will then be sent to you after you have left Saudi Arabia.

I had difficulties in this respect with the Arab Bank over a Visa Card. Got my money in the end but only after many phone calls, faxes and visitis to tyhe bank by friends.

[Mark100]

You can get a debit card from NCB. This has the same function as a credit card.
That is the easiest most practical solution.

You then simply deposit however much you want top use into the accoun t.

National Commercial Bank is the only one around that offers this service.

[medway]

The last comment by Mark surprises me. I think any ATM card with a Visa Electron sign on it will enable you to draw on your account from abroad. Mine from Saudi British certainly does. As for getting a credit card without first depositing funds in the bank, well, do tell us if you find an obliging institution. We'd all like some of that! More to the point is, what interest are they going to charge? I have heard that some Teachers' Unions in the States offer credit cards with very low rates.

[Stephen Jones]

I have a credit card with the Saudi British. Small credit limit $5,000 but enough for my purposes.

Most banks you get your payroll sent to will give you one I think, after you've had the account a few months.