Job Discussion Forums

GladToBeFree · Joined: 27 May 2010 Posts: 45

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Badar Bin Bada Boom · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 4:21 am Post subject:

Locally issued credit cards in the Gulf region, at least the UAE and KSA, give you needless headaches. Certainly, Saudis tell me KSA-issued cards are troublesome. I've been in the two countries for a total of 15 years and have always used my US-based cards without a problem. I use cash for daily purchases and the cards for major purchases. Yes, there are international usage fees, but they're not that bad and they're worth it.

Recently my iqama had expired and even though it was renewed by my company without a problem, the bank here automatically froze my account and my Visa debit card. I assume they'd do the same with the credit card. Just one example of the headaches.

posh · Joined: 22 Oct 2010 Posts: 430

There's a discussion about frozen accounts here:-

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article470866.ece

... that serves as a good example of KSA's attitude to expats. When my iqama came up for renewal the bank (SABB) texted me to say that I needed to give them my new details. I didn't notice if the account was frozen or not.

I also have a Saudi credit card and have used it without problems in North America and Europe. The only place I couldn't use it was Egypt.

You have to pay a monthly minimum on outstanding card balances. Usually I jusy pay all of it off when I get my salary.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I can only speak from personal experience.I have used bothz Riyad bank and Arab national� bank. In both cases I used the same basnk as my employer used. i had credit cards from both (Visa and Mastercard)

I was given the option of choosing to pay all, 50 percent 25 percent or as lesser percent each month

I also had a card from American Express in Riyadh.

It's Scary! · Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 823

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Maybe I am slow on the uptake. is that meant to be a joke ?

Scots were running modern banking sytems when you guys were trading wampum with the First Nations.

johnslat · Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 5:08 pm Post subject:

Dear scot47,

Considering what "modern banking systems" have inflicted upon the global economy, that may not be something you'd want to brag about Very Happy

If we'd stuck with wampum, we might be better off.

Regards,
John

It's Scary! · Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 823

Scot, wasn't it YOU who set up the Dutch banking system that leveraged its value on the value of tulip bulbs?

It's Scary!