PRICEY PLASTIC

 

A NYPIRG Report and Survey of Plastic Card Fees

 

 

Attachments

 

 

 

ATM Surcharge Fees

 

Bank-Owned ATMs

 

ISO ATMs

 

 

ATM/Debit Card Fees

 

 

Pre-Paid Card Fees

 

 

Credit Card Fees

 

Bank-Issued Credit Cards

 

Store-Issued Credit Cards

 

 

Gift Card Fees

 

 

 

 

ATM Surcharges in New York - 2004

 

Bank-Owned ATM Survey Results

 

Region

Bank ATM Owner

Location(s) of ATMs Surveyed, owned by Bank, in Region

ATM Surcharge Fee Amount Assessed by  Bank ATM Owner

Long Island

 

Apple

Ronkonkoma

$1.50

Long Island

Astoria Federal Savings

Rockville Centre; Happague[1]

$1.50

Long Island

 

Atlantic

Hicksville

$1.50

Long Island

Bank of New York

Old Westbury

$1.75

Long Island

Bank of New York

Rockville Centre

$1.50

Long Island

Bank of Smithtown

Centerreach; Lake Grove

$1.50

Long Island

 

Chase

Rockville Centre

$1.50

Long Island

Citibank

Hicksville; Rockville Centre

$1.50

Long Island

 

Commerce

Hicksville

$1.50

Long Island

 

Emigrant

Hicksville

$1.50

Long Island

First Bank of Long Island

Huntington

$1.75

Long Island

Fleet

Hempstead; Huntington

$1.50

Long Island

Greenpoint

Centerreach; Rockville Centre[2]

$1.50

Long Island

 

HSBC

Stony Brook[3]

$1.75

Long Island

Long Island Commercial Bank

Islandia

$1.00

Long Island

 

North Fork

Happague, Huntington

$1.75

Long Island

Roslyn Savings Bank/NY Community Bank

Bellmore

$1.50

Long Island

State Bank of Long Island

Old Westbury

$1.50

Long Island

Washington Mutual

Carle Place; Huntington[4]

FREE

New York City

 

Apple Bank

Bronx

$1.50

New York City

Astoria Federal Savings

Brooklyn, Queens

$1.50

New York City

Atlantic Bank of NY

Manhattan[5]

$1.50

New York City

 

Banco Popular

Bronx; Queens

$1.50

New York City

Bank of New York

Manhattan

$1.00

New York City

Bank of New York

Queens

$1.50

New York City

Carver Federal Savings

Queens

$1.50

New York City

Chase

Bronx; Brooklyn; Manhattan; Queens

$1.50

New York City

Citibank

Brooklyn; Manhattan; Queens; Staten Island[6]

$1.50

New York City

Commerce

Brooklyn; Manhattan; Staten Island[7]

$1.50

New York City

 

Emigrant Savings

Manhattan

$1.25

New York City

First American International

Queens

$1.50

New York City

Flatbush Federal Savings

Brooklyn

$1.50

New York City

 

Great Eastern

Queens[8]

$1.50

New York City

 

Greenpoint

Manhattan; Queens[9]

$1.50

New York City

HSBC

Brooklyn; Manhattan; Queens[10]

$1.75

New York City

Independence

Brooklyn; Queens; Staten Island

$1.50

New York City

 

M & T

Brooklyn

$2.00

New York City

North Fork

Bronx; Manhattan; Queens[11]

$1.75

New York City

Queens County Savings; NY Community Bank

Queens

$1.50

New York City

Ridgewood Savings

Queens

$1.50

New York City

S.I. Bank and Trust

Staten Island

$1.50

New York City

 

Sterling National

Queens

$1.50

New York City

 

United Orient

Queens

$1.00

New York City

Washington Mutual

Bronx; Manhattan[12]

FREE

Upstate New York

 

Alliance

Cortland; Syracuse

$2.00

Upstate New York

 

AmeriCU

Liverpool; Oswego; Syracuse

$2.00

Upstate New York

 

Bank of America

White Plains

$2.00

Upstate New York

Bank of New York

Larchmont

$1.50

Upstate New York

Bank of New York

New Paltz[13]

$1.00

Upstate New York

BSB Bank and Trust

Vestal; Syracuse

$1.75

Upstate New York

 

Charter One

Albany; Vestal

$2.50

Upstate New York

 

Charter One

Buffalo; Syracuse

FREE

Upstate New York

Chase

Dewitt; Liverpool; Oswego[14]

$1.50

Upstate New York

 

Citibank

Buffalo[15]

$1.00

Upstate New York

 

Citibank

Larchmont

$1.50

Upstate New York

 

Commerce

White Plains

$1.50

Upstate New York

 

Evergreen

Latham

$1.75

Upstate New York

First National Bank of Scotia

Albany[16]

$1.50

Upstate New York

First Niagara Bank

Albany; Buffalo; Cortland

$1.50

Upstate New York

Fleet

Albany; Buffalo; Fulton; Mamaroneck; New Paltz; Purchase; Syracuse; White Plains[17]

$1.50

Upstate New York

Fulton Savings Bank

Phoenix

$1.50

Upstate New York

Geddes Federal

S & L

Syracuse

$1.00

Upstate New York

Greater Buffalo Savings Bank

Buffalo

$1.50

Upstate New York

HSBC

Alban; Oswego; Syracuse; Vestal[18]

$1.75

Upstate New York

Hudson Heritage Federal CU

New Paltz

$1.50

Upstate New York

 

Hudson River[19]

Albany

$1.25

Upstate New York

Key[20]

Albany; Buffalo; Liverpool; Oswego; Syracuse

$2.00

Upstate New York

M&T

Albany; Buffalo; Liverpool; New Paltz; Vestal[21]

$2.00

Upstate New York

 

M&T

Syracuse

$1.75

Upstate New York

 

NBT

Vestal

$1.50

Upstate New York

Oswego County Savings

Oswego

$2.00

Upstate New York

 

Pioneer Savings

Albany

$1.50

Upstate New York

SEFCU

Albany; Syracuse; Vestal

$1.25

Upstate New York

Solvay

Syracuse

$1.50

 

Upstate New York

 

Trustco

Albany[22]

$1.75

Upstate New York

 

Ulster Savings

New Paltz

$1.00

Upstate New York

 

Vision¹s FCU

Binghamton

FREE

Upstate New York

 

Wachovia

Larchmont; New Paltz

$2.00

Upstate New York

Washington Mutual

Mamaroneck

FREE

 

 

Bank-Owned ATM Survey Summary

 

Total Number of Bank-Owned ATMs[23] Surveyed - 79

 

Percentage of Bank-Owned ATMs Surveyed that Assess an ATM Surcharge ­ 94% (74/79)

 

Average Amount of the ATM Surcharge[24] Assessed by Bank-Owned ATMs Surveyed ­ $1.55

 

Back to Top 

 

ISO-Owned ATM Survey Results

 

 

Region

Independent Service Operator (ISO) Non-Bank ATM Owner

Location(s) of ATMs Surveyed, owned by ISO, in Region

ATM Surcharge Fee Amount Assessed by  Bank ATM Owner

Long Island

American Express[25]

Centerreach; Hempstead

$1.50

Long Island

 

CAI

Garden City

$2.00

Long Island

Cardtronics

Centerreach; Freeport; Garden City

$1.50

Long Island

 

King Kullen[26]

Smithtown

$1.00

Long Island

Triton/Sinem Ozden Corp.[27]

Selden

$1.50

New York City

 

AA ATM

Manhattan

99¢

New York City

 

A&A Food Market

Staten Island

$1.60

New York City

 

Actors FCU

Manhattan

99¢

New York City

 

ATM World

Manhattan

99¢

New York City

 

Bagels & Buns

Staten Island

$1.50

New York City

 

Bayside Exxon

Queens

$2.50

New York City

 

Cardtronics

Manhattan

$1.00

New York City

Cardtronics

Queens; Staten Island

99¢

New York City

 

Check Cashers

Staten Island

$2.00

New York City

 

Checks & More

Brooklyn

$1.50

New York City

Clarisa Deli and Grocery

Manhattan

$1.50

New York City

 

E-Trade

Brooklyn

$1.50

New York City

 

FCC

Staten Island

$1.75

New York City

Forest Deli and Grocery

Staten Island

$1.50

New York City

Global Reliant, Inc.

Brooklyn

$1.50

 

New York City

 

Innovus

Queens

$1.95

New York City

 

MMI

Queens

$1.50

New York City

 

Money Making

Manhattan

$1.75

New York City

 

Money Marketing

Brooklyn; Queens

$1.50

New York City

 

Money Marketing

Manhattan

$1.75

New York City

Money Technology Systems, Inc.

Manhattan

$1.50

New York City

 

Nextron

Brooklyn

$1.75

New York City

 

Nextron

Queens

$1.65

New York City

 

NYC ATM

Staten Island

$1.50

New York City

 

Quest

Brooklyn

$1.50

New York City

 

Quest

Manhattan

99¢

New York City

 

NOR Springfield

Queens

$1.75

New York City

 

PBT

Queens

$1.50

New York City

 

SHIK

Brooklyn

$1.50

New York City

Specialized Financial

Queens

$2.00

New York City

 

Triton

Manhattan

$1.50

New York City

 

TRM Corp

Queens

$1.50

New York City

 

Willowbrook Deli

Staten Island

$1.50

Upstate New York

 

Access Cash

Cortland

$1.95

Upstate New York

 

Access to Money

New Paltz

$1.50

Upstate New York

 

Access to Money

New Paltz

$1.75

Upstate New York

 

Atlas ATM

White Plains

$1.50

Upstate New York

Card Capture Services

New Paltz

$1.50

Upstate New York

Cardtronics

Syracuse

$1.00

 

Upstate New York

 

Cardtronics

New Paltz

$1.25

Upstate New York

 

Cardtronics

Buffalo; Cortland; New Paltz

$1.50

Upstate New York

Cardtronics

Albany; Buffalo; Latham; White Plains

$1.75

Upstate New York

 

Chestnut Mart

New Paltz

$1.50

Upstate New York

 

Convenient Deli

New Patlz

$1.75

Upstate New York

 

Diebold

Oswego

$1.50

Upstate New York

 

E-Trade

Albany

$1.50

Upstate New York

 

E-Trade

Fulton

$1.75

Upstate New York

Family Farm of New Paltz

New Paltz

$1.50

Upstate New York

 

First National ATM

New Paltz

$1.50[28]

Upstate New York

 

First National ATM

New Paltz

$2.00[29]

Upstate New York

 

Golub Corporation

Cortland

$1.50

Upstate New York

Granite Capital Holdings

Johnson City

$1.75

Upstate New York

 

Innovus

Albany; Syracuse

$2.50

Upstate New York

Larchmont Mini Mart

Larchmont

$1.50

Upstate New York

Manley¹s Mighty Mart

Johnson City

$1.75

Upstate New York

 

Mamaroneck Gas

Mamaroneck

$2.00

Upstate New York

Money Tree

Syracuse

$1.50

 

Upstate New York

 

National ATM

Albany

$1.50

Upstate New York

Paper and Puff (PAP)

White Plains

$1.50

Upstate New York

 

Pathfinder

Oswego

$1.50

Upstate New York

PBT

Buffalo

$1.50

 

Upstate New York

 

Power

Oswego

$1.50

Upstate New York

Quest

Syracuse

$1.25

 

Upstate New York

 

Sonic

Syracuse

75¢

Upstate New York

 

Sunoco

Port Chester

$1.75

Upstate New York

 

Tip Top Vending

White Plains

$1.75

Upstate New York

 

TRM Corporation

Albany

$1.95

Upstate New York

UMI Communications

New Paltz

$1.75

Upstate New York

 

Wegman¹s

Johnson City; Buffalo

$1.00

Upstate New York

 

WRG Service Inc.

Albany

$1.50

 

 

ISO-Owned ATM Survey Summary

 

Total Number of ISO-Owned ATMs[30] Surveyed - 75

 

Percentage of ISO-Owned ATMs Surveyed that Assess an ATM Surcharge ­ 100% (75/75)

 

Average Amount of the ATM Surcharge[31] Assessed by ISO-Owned ATMs Surveyed ­ $1.55

 


Back to Top

ATM/Debit Card Fees Assessed by New York Banks ­ Spring 2004

 

Bank Name

Foreign ATM Fees

Debit Card Point-of-Sale Fees[32]

ATM/Debit Card Replacement Fee

Additional ATM/Debit Card Fees

Withdrawal Fees

Account Inquiry Fees

Alliance

$1.25

$1.25

25¢

 

$6.00

The $1.25 fee is for all non-Alliance ATM transactions

AmeriCU

$1.00

$1.00

25¢

 

$10.00[33]

Also assess a $2 PIN reminder fee; a $1 Transfer fee at non-AmeriCU ATMs and a $15 ATM/Debit Research fee[34]

Apple

$1.50

$1.00

$1.50

 

$5.00

Also assesses a $10 ATM Deposit Adjustment Fee and a $2 Unprocessed ATM withdrawal fee

Astoria Federal Savings

$1.50

$1.00

$1.00

 

$10.00

Also assesses a $1 fee to obtain a mini-statement update at Astoria ATM

Atlantic

$1.25

$1.25

FREE

$10.00

The $1.25 fee also applies to Transfers made a non-Atlantic ATM

Banco Popular

 

SEE NOTE[35]

 

 

$5.00

 

Bank of New York

 

$1.00

 

50¢

$1.00

 

Bank of Smithtown

 

$1.50

$1.00

$1.00

$10.00

 

BSB Bank and Trust

 

$1.75

 

 

$5.00

 

Carver

 

$1.50

50¢

$1.00

$7.50

 

Charter One

$2.25

$2.25[36]

$1.00[37]

$5.00

Also assesses $1.50 monthly fee for ATM and Debit Cards;[38]  a $15 ATM deposit correction fee; and the $2.25 fee is for all transactions at non-Charter One ATMs, which may include transfers.

Chase (Downstate)

 

$1.50

$1.50[39]

50¢

 

 

Chase (Upstate)

$1.00

$1.00

25¢[40]

 

For some accounts, a 25¢-50¢ may be charged for Chase ATM withdrawals depending on balance maintained

Citibank (NY Metro Area)

$1.50[41]

$1.50[42]

50¢

 

 

Bank Name

Foreign ATM Fees

Debit Card Point-of-Sale Fees

ATM/Debit Card Replacement Fee

Additional ATM/Debit Card Fees

Withdrawal Fees

Account Inquiry Fees

Commerce Bank

 

FREE

FREE

FREE

FREE

 

Emigrant

$1.00

$1.00

$1.00

$7.00

Also assesses a $9 Fee for ATM/POS transaction resulting in a negative balance

Evergreen

$1.50

$1.50

25¢[43]

$10.00[44]

Also assesses a $1 fee to obtain a mini-statement update at Evergreen ATM

First National Bank of Long Island

$1.50

FREE

60¢

$10.00[45]

Also assesses a 50¢ fee for making an account balance inquiry at an FNBLI ATM

First National Bank of Scotia

$1.00

25¢

10¢

$10.00

Also assesses a $10 fee for a lost PIN (personal identification number)

First Niagra Bank

 

$1.00

$1.00

 

$5.00

 

Fleet

$1.00

$1.00

 

$5.00

Also assesses a 50¢ fee to obtain a mini-statement update at a Fleet ATM and a $1 fee to obtain a record of your last 10 transactions at a Fleet ATM

Greater Buffalo

 

 

 

$3.00

 

 

GreenPoint

$1.00

$1.00

$1.00

$10.00

Also assesses a $5 fee to obtain a new PIN (personal identification number); a 50¢ fee for a denied ATM transaction for insufficient funds; and a $5 fee for an ATM Deposit Discrepancy

HSBC

$1.00

$1.00[46]

 

 

Also assesses a $1 fee to obtain an Account Statement Update at an HSBC ATM and a 50¢ fee to obtain a check paid status at an HSBC ATM

Hudson River

 

$1.00[47]

 

25¢

$5.00

 

Independence

 

$1.00

50¢

 

$7.00

 

Long Island Commercial Bank

 

 

 

$5.00[48]

 

Key Bank

$2.00

$2.00[49]

25¢[50]

$5.00

Also assesses a $1 fee to obtain a mini-statement update at a Key Bank ATM

 

 

Bank Name

Foreign ATM Fees

Debit Card Point-of-Sale Fees

ATM/Debit Card Replacement Fee

Additional ATM/Debit Card Fees

Withdrawal Fees

Account Inquiry Fees

M & T

$1.75

$1.50[51]

50¢

$10.00

Also assesses a 50¢ fee for each ATM mini-statement printed at a M&T ATM and a $1 fee for each full statement printed at a M&T ATM

NBT

$1.00

50¢

 

$5.00

Also assesses a $1 NBT Banker Cash and Check Card monthly fee

New York Community Bank

 

$1.50[52]

$1.50

$1.50[53]

$10.00

Also assesses a $2 PIN replacement fee

North Fork

 

$1.25

$1.00

60¢[54]

$10.00

 

Oswego County National Bank

$1.00

 

 

$5.00[55]

 

PathFinder

$1.00[56]

55¢

 

 

Also assesses a 50¢ fee for the rejection/denial of an attempted ATM transaction at a non-PathFinder ATM

Pioneer

 

$1.00[57]

 

50¢

$5.00

 

Ridgewood

FREE

FREE

FREE

$10.00

Also assesses a $5 PIN replacement fee

 

SEFCU

95¢

30¢

95¢

$5.00

Also assesses a $7.50 Deposit Correction fee; a $15 fee for the deposit of an empty envelope and a $15 fee for allowed ATM or a denied POS transaction with insufficient funds

SI Bank and Trust

 

FREE

FREE[58]

 

 

 

Visions Federal CU

 

$1.50

$1.50

$1.50

 

All the $1.50 fees are assessed only after the first 5 such transactions per month ­ the first five transactions are free; Also assesses a $1 debit card inactivity fee when debit card is not used at least once per month at POS

Washington Mutual

$1.00

50¢

 

 

Also assesses a 50¢ fee to obtain a mini-statement update at a Washington Mutual ATM

 

 

New York Bank ATM/Debit Card Fees Survey Summary

Spring 2004

 

 

 

 

Survey Results

 

Total # Banks Surveyed - 40

Foreign ATM Fees

Debit Card Point-of-Sale Fees

ATM/Debit Card Replacement Fee

Withdrawal Fees

Account Inquiry Fees

Percentage of Banks Surveyed that Assess the Fee[59]

 

92%

 

86%

 

89%

 

97%

Average Fee Assessed in Each Fee Category[60]

 

 

$1.28

 

$1.07

 

70¢

 

$6.97

 

 

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PRE-PAID CARD FEES

 

Card

Activation Fee

Annual Participation Fee

POS Transaction Fee

ATM Transaction Fee

Load Fee

Eufora Associate Pre-Paid MasterCard

 

FREE

$29.95

SEE NOTE[61]

$2.00[62]

$1.00

First Vineyard Stored Value MasterCard

 

$39.95

$83.40

 ($6.95 monthly)

FREE

$2.00[63]

FREE

Four Oaks Pre-Paid VisaCard

 

$89.95

$47.40

 ($3.95 monthly)

50¢

$1.50[64]

$1.00

IndiGOCARD Pre-Paid MasterCard

 

$99

$108

 ($9 monthly)

FREE

99¢

FREE

InstaBanc Platinum Pre-Paid Debit MasterCard

 

FREE

$150[65]

FREE[66]

 

FREE

LYFE Stored Value ATM Card

 

$29.95

$59.40

($4.95 monthly)

$1.00

$2.00

$2.50

Merrick Bank Pre-Paid MasterCard

 

$19.95

$59.40

($4.95 monthly)

 

$1.50

FREE[67]

NetSpend All Access Pre-Paid MasterCard

 

$19.95[68]

$71.40

($5.95 monthly)

$2.00[69]

$2.00

$2.00[70]

Pre-Paid Visa Cash Card

 

 

$79.95

$47.40

($3.95 monthly)

 

50¢

$1.50[71]

$1.00[72]

 

Card

Activation Fee

Annual Participation Fee

POS Transaction Fee

ATM Transaction Fee

Load Fee

Rush Visa Card

 

 

$19.95

FREE

$1.00

$1.50

FREE[73]

Secure Deposit MasterCard

 

 

$79.95

$47.50

($3.95 monthly)

50¢

$1.50

$1.00[74]

Super VIP Pre-Paid Visa Card

 

$79.95

$47.50

($3.95 monthly)

50¢

$1.50

$1.00[75]

U.S. Bank Visa Buxx Card

$15[76]

FREE

 

$1.50

$2.00[77]

Vaya Pre-Paid MasterCard

 

 

 

$49

$71.40

 

($5.95 monthly)

 

$1.50

FREE

Wired Plastic Stored Value MasterCard

 

 

$29.95

$83.40

 

($6.95 monthly)

 

$2.00[78]

FREE[79]

Percentage of Cards that Assess the Fee[80]

87%

87%

70%

100%

53%

Average Fee Assessed in Each Fee Category[81]

$50.12

$69.70

86¢

$1.64

$1.44

 

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Definitions:

 

Activation Fee ­ A one-time fee assessed to obtain the card. This fee is also called an application fee.  Fee typically includes a membership fee, account set-up fee and a card issuance and embossing fee.

 

Participation Fee ­ A card maintenance fee assessed annually or monthly.

 

POS Transaction Fee ­ A point-of-sale fee assessed each time cardholder makes a purchase with their card.

 

ATM Transaction Fee ­ A fee assessed each time cardholder uses their card to withdraw money from an Automated Teller Machine.  This fee is in addition to the ATM surcharge fee assessed by the ATM owner.

 

Load Fee ­ A fee assessed each time funds are uploaded into the account.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CREDIT CARD APR[82] AND FEE SURVEY

 

Credit Card Name

APR

Annual Fee

Transfer Balance Fee

Cash Advance Fee

Over Credit Limit Fee

Late Payment Fee

Introductory[83]

Post-Introductory

American Express Rewards Green Card

 

None[84]

$65

None[85]

N/A[86]

None[87]

$30[88]

American Express Blue Card

 

0%

 

9.99%- 14.99%[89]

None

None

3%[90]

$29

$15[91]

 

Bank of America Visa Platinum

 

8.9%

 

11.99%- 16.99%

None

None

3%[92]

$35

$19[93]

Bank One Personal Platinum Visa

 

0%

8.99%- 14.99%[94]

None

3%[95]

3%[96]

$35

$15[97]

Capital One Bank Mastercard

 

 

8.9%

None

None

3% [98]

$29

$29[99]

Citibank Platinum Select Mastercard

 

 

9.99%[100]

None

3%[101]

3%[102]

$35

$15[103]

Citibank AA Advantage World Mastercard

 

13.99%[104]

$50

3%