European Toll Passes - Which UK Bank Account(s)

[omniflow]

Ok, so I've read a lot on here about Toll passes / transponders and I'm a definite fan of the concept. However, thus far I've found the reality somewhat different.

For those that have used them successfully, what UK bank account do you have them linked to?

I've tried First Direct and Revolut and neither of them work in practice with either Frulli or the offering from Vinci. The toll companies appear to want the ability to help themselves to a variable amount of money via something similar to Direct Debit. First Direct don't support this - they only support the account holder triggering the transaction. Revolut were just completely useless and couldn't tell me why it wasn't working.

I'd be quite happy to open another UK bank account to make this work - and I'd even consider opening an EU account if there was one where you didn't need a mobile phone number native to the country in which the bank was operating in order to set up internet banking.

It's probably also worth stating that getting a bill by email and then remembering to pay it is not something that will work for me The Vinci offering appears to support that mode of working, but they don't have much patience, and if you're a couple of days late paying as little as €2 then they cancel your account. I'm after something that's "fire and forget".

[Deesee]

I have a emovis which is linked to Lloyds on DD, which is permanently in my car.

You can apply on line.

https://www.emovis-tag.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5M...


If you only need one temporary you can also hire them from tolltickets.com and pay be debit/credit card (visa/Mastercard)

www.tolltickets.com

You can also buy the vignettes in advance from them too.

Never had an issue.

The emovis send you an invoice then take payment later direct debit.

Toll tickets do the same, invoice, then debit credit/debit card.

Edited by Deesee on Friday 2nd June 15:57

[Nemophilist]

I’m using a Vinci Ulys tag with NatWest and all has been problem free so far

[//j17]

omniflow said:

The toll companies appear to want the ability to help themselves to a variable amount of money via something similar to Direct Debit. First Direct don't support this - they only support the account holder triggering the transaction. Revolut were just completely useless and couldn't tell me why it wasn't working.

Well yes, of course they want something similar to a variable direct debit, especially for foreign, mostly casual users. They are often dealing with small sums of money, the sort where it's just not worth the time and money to chase down people who don't pay - especially when you're looking at potentially having to do it across internaltional legal borders. Having a set-up where the customer knows they can sign up, use the tag, then not bother paying and throw the tag in the bin with almost zero risk of getting chased down and forced to pay isn't a great business model.

That leaves you 2 options - pre-payment where you 'charge up' the card with cash, then use it until you run out/can't use it again until recharged or one where the seller can vary the amount they claim based on the amount you spend.

I've got a (looks to see what it's called this week) Fulli tag that linked up first time with my bog standard NatWest current account - and I know that just pulls the money from my account at the end of the month (because it's usually the one thing I'm waiting on to go into the cost splitting spreadsheet!).

Edited by //j17 on Friday 2nd June 16:25

[NDA]

omniflow said:

For those that have used them successfully, what UK bank account do you have them linked to?

....... I'm after something that's "fire and forget".

I set up my Emovis tag around ten years ago I should think - linked to my UK bank (part of NatWest). I have never had to do anything other than replace the tag (which you get reminded about). It's a DD and obviously variable. Emovis are very easy and reliable - they have a UK office too.

Without checking, Emovis charge around 6 Euros a year for the service and then if I use it, the money comes out at the end of the month the tolls were used.

[andy43]

Emovis and Barclays, as above a standing charge of about six euros per year per transponder I think.

[//j17]

NDA said:

I set up my Emovis tag around ten years ago I should think - linked to my UK bank (part of NatWest). I have never had to do anything other than replace the tag (which you get reminded about). It's a DD and obviously variable. Emovis are very easy and reliable - they have a UK office too.

Without checking, Emovis charge around 6 Euros a year for the service and then if I use it, the money comes out at the end of the month the tolls were used.

Worth working out how many trips you'll make/year when picking your tag provider.

Emovis charge €8/year plus €5/month for each month you use the tag, capped at 2 months usage (so €10).
Fulli have no annual charge and €1.70/month for each month you use the tab, but with no cap.

In short between those 2 on basic costs if you're just doing say 1 trip to the Alps in the winter for skiing and 1 trip each June to Le Mans a Fulli tag will be much cheaper (€3.40 vs €18 for Emovis) - but if you're hitting French motorways 11 or 12 months a year Emovis will be cheaper (€18 vs €18.70 or €20.4).

Of course that's for existing tag holders. If you're taking out a tag today it looks like Emovis will charge you €38 up front (application fee+refundable deposit+annual fee), then €5 or €10 in monthly fees while Fulli will charge you nothing up front (application fee reduced to zero+tag delivery charge reduced to zero), the €0 in monthly fees (zero rated for first 12 months). That means even using it every month a Fulli tag would could you €0 for the first year, vs €48 for Emovis.

[scjgreen]

I have an Emovis Account for France linked to my First Direct Account

[Puggit]

Just signed up to Ulys/Vinci, but we used our French bank account

Current offer from Ulys is everything is free except for 2 euros pm for each month you use it and a small delivery fee.

[TTmonkey]

Santander doesn’t work with these foreign Direct debits. :-(

[mikef]

Emovis is UK based. If you need to bill something to a company in another European country, I’d suggest a Wise account

[omniflow]

Thanks for all the replies.

Ideally I would like a tag that works in France, Spain & Italy. I'll dig deeper into Emovis, but can also consider using my Wife's bank account (Barclays) or my Mum's (Nat West). I'll probably be better of with my Mum's account as I'm probably on some kind of "No Fly" list with the 2 providers I've tried thus far.

Whilst the time saving is a variable, the lack of buggeration factor is massive. Do I try and get as close as possible so my Wife can reach from her seat, or as far away as possible so that she can open the door easily. There's also a massive variation in the frequency of the toll booths. Marseille -> Barcelona we only had to pay once. Barcelona -> San Sebastien, we had to pay 4 or 5 times.

[mikef]

They are separate tags from Emovis - you just clip a different one into the windscreen holder when crossing into Spain

[gazza5]

I tried to sort mine out - I have a HSBC account - but the IBAN in as they asked - then got a message saying I cant use that account.

This was with the Bip & Go directly from the Sanef website.

I also tried Ulys - they would not take my HSBC account either, so have just gone with the emovis one, if you booked a euro tunnel crossing you get the 10 euro activation fee wavered. The 20 euros you get back if you send the unit back (I may well do then order another one next trip).

Thereofre I would just pay for the month (5 euros), and however much in tolls. (so I believe - could be wrong).

[rcspeirs]

If you happen to have an American Express card, you can get a Bip&Go tag (works in France Italy Portugal Spain) and this is billed directly to your card statement. Works a treat.

[//j17]

omniflow said:

Ideally I would like a tag that works in France, Spain & Italy. I'll dig deeper into Emovis, but can also consider using my Wife's bank account (Barclays) or my Mum's (Nat West). I'll probably be better of with my Mum's account as I'm probably on some kind of "No Fly" list with the 2 providers I've tried thus far.

The standard Fulli (no, I don't work for them, honest ) tag covers France, Spain and Portugal, though they also do one that covers France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy. Charging structure is different for Spain/Portugal/Italy with a non-waved €2.40/used month management charge.

omniflow said:

Whilst the time saving is a variable, the lack of buggeration factor is massive. Do I try and get as close as possible so my Wife can reach from her seat, or as far away as possible so that she can open the door easily. There's also a massive variation in the frequency of the toll booths. Marseille -> Barcelona we only had to pay once. Barcelona -> San Sebastien, we had to pay 4 or 5 times.

Really makes life easier when you're driving solo!