No credit where it was due

When Travel Herald reader Graham Astley visited the United States he was sure he would have a good time, and settling his bills would be a breeze with his credit card.

But a bank's software problem threw a spanner into the works.

Astley, from Auckland, was travelling with an ANZ-Qantas-Telstra card but retailers refused to accept it.

"Whenever I tried to pay for things I was presented with a printout which read 'declined'," he said. "I called the ANZ from the States to find out what was going on and was told they were having problems with the card. There was no apology and no real offer of help - not even for the call from the States. There was a total lack of interest.

"I was just advised to use the card to get cash from a bank to pay hotel and restaurant bills."

This meant Astley's interest charges accrued from the minute he obtained cash, as there is no interest-free period for cash withdrawals.

"Sometimes I had to ask friends to pay my bills on their cards."

The ANZ's Robyn Hickman admits there was a software problem that affected about 40 of its customers who called the bank to complain, but says the problem has been fixed.

"I think we've heard from most of our customers who were affected by this intermittent problem, but any who are out of pocket because of it should contact the bank.

"We advise people to carry two cards or spare cash in case one card fails."

Astley is going back to California next month and hopes the card will work this time. Meanwhile, the ANZ says he will not be left out of pocket because of the glitch.