How to Cancel 28 Degrees: Complete Guide

What is 28 Degrees

28 Degrees is the Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard, a credit card product positioned for travellers and online shoppers by Latitude Financial Services. It is known for no foreign transaction or currency conversion fees and for features such as rewards credits, purchase protection and travel-related perks. Recent product changes have altered the pricing model and some benefit mechanics, which has been a material factor in customer decisions to keep or cancel the card.

From a product design perspective: the card historically pitched itself as a low-fee travel card, but Latitude updated the pricing structure in 2024 - 2025, introducing a recurring card fee and changing interest-rate profiles for new and existing accounts. These fee changes affect lifetime cost calculations and therefore the financial rationale for retaining the card.

Plans, pricing and where costs appear

Pricing and fee mechanics matter when you compare alternatives. Latitude has moved to either a monthly card fee or an annual fee depending on account vintage: an $8 per month fee was introduced for accounts in 2024, while new approvals after a given date face a $96 annual card fee (with promotional first-year waivers and conditional waivers tied to annual spend thresholds). Interest rates on purchases and cash advances are materially higher than many mainstream banks, and cash-advance fees apply.

Customer experience with cancellation and billing

What users report

Public feedback collected from review platforms and forums shows a mix of reasons for cancellation and recurring themes in user experience. Many long-standing cardholders cite the introduction of new recurring fees as the tipping point for cancelling. ProductReview and community forums contain direct customer statements such as: "Very difficult to cancel card and they keep charging A$8 monthly fee plus interest every month."

Other common reports include perceived opacity around which accounts were reclassified to a fee-bearing model, surprise charges on dormant accounts, difficulty reconciling delayed or pending transactions when trying to close an account, and reports of extended customer-service wait times. Several community threads document escalation to independent dispute resolution when account closure communications or refunds did not align with customers' records.

Recurring issues and practical takeaways

From a financial-advisory standpoint the repeatable patterns are: unanticipated recurring fees change the expected net value of holding the card; billing lag on pending international transactions can create balance reconciliation challenges at close; and some users reported system or communication failures that prolonged billing after they believed the account was closed. Several cases cited in public review sites required escalation to AFCA to obtain remedy.

Practical takeaway: when the card's ongoing fee structure is part of your cost model, quantify the annualised fee impact (for example, A$8/month equals A$96/year) and compare it to the savings you obtain from zero foreign-transaction fees. If the fee exceeds your typical foreign spend savings, it often makes financial sense to move to an alternative card or multi-provider approach.

How cancellations typically work for 28 Degrees

In terms of billing and timing, the operational mechanics that matter are: statement cycles, pending versus settled transactions, and any account-level fees billed on a recurring cadence. Closing an account does not eliminate obligations for outstanding balances or transactions that post after the closure instruction but were authorised before closure. Prorated refunds for card fees are uncommon and handled according to the account terms; promotions or fee-waivers often carry spend-based conditions that affect eligibility for future refunds.

Notice periods and timing: the effective date of closure is determined by the issuer's administration process and statement cycle. If a card fee is charged monthly, cancelling shortly before a statement generation date may avoid an additional month of fees; conversely, cancelling mid-cycle does not necessarily trigger a proration credit. Always plan cancellations with an eye to the upcoming statement date.

Refunds and adjustments: refunds for disputed transactions, courtesy fee reversals or administrative errors are resolved on a case-by-case basis. Latitude's published materials and customer reports indicate they may reverse fees if escalated successfully, but outcomes have varied and sometimes required escalation to AFCA. Expect timelines measured in business days to weeks for dispute resolution.

Disputes, chargebacks and regulatory remedies

Chargebacks for fraudulent or incorrect merchant charges follow the standard card-scheme process, which can involve provisional credits while investigations proceed. If a merchant or issuer declines liability, the next step is an internal complaints process and then, if unresolved, escalation to AFCA. Public reports show AFCA has investigated and, in at least some cases, found in favour of complainants against Latitude-related cards. This is relevant if you suspect ongoing charges after a closure or if a closure notice was not actioned correctly.

Legal and consumer-rights note: consumer remedies depend on the nature of the transaction, the timing of the dispute and the cardholder's evidence. Keep detailed records; AFCA decisions frequently hinge on clear documentation.

Documentation checklist

• Account statement copies: last 6 - 12 months of statements showing fees and balances.
• Proof of payments: bank statements or receipts that corroborate payments and dates.
• Transaction authorisation timestamps: screenshots or confirmations of disputed merchant transactions.
• Correspondence record: dates and brief notes of all communications and outcomes (no full message bodies required).
• Offer and promotion terms: copy of any promotional material if you claim a promised waiver was not honoured.
• Identification documents: if an account closure or refund requires identity verification keep copies ready.

Common pitfalls and mistakes to avoid

• 1. Closing before reconciling pending transactions - pending foreign transactions can post after closure and generate fees or interest.
• 2. Assuming fee-waivers are refunded automatically - promotional waivers are often conditional and not refundable once conditions fail.
• 3. Failing to secure written confirmation of closure - verbal assurances without supporting records complicate disputes.
• 4. Ignoring linked accounts or supplementary cards - supplementary cards can keep an account active.
• 5. Not checking credit reporting after closure - unresolved balances or erroneously billed fees can affect credit files and may require correction through AFCA.

Comparing 28 Degrees to common alternatives

From a cost-benefit perspective, compare annualised fees, foreign-transaction policies, and interest rates. For consumers who travel infrequently, a small annual fee may not be justified if the foreign-transaction savings are minor. For regular travellers, a card that charges a modest fee but offers strong protections and lower interest might still be superior. Use the table below to compare headline items; confirm current APRs and fees with each issuer before switching.

Practical financial analysis before you cancel

From a financial-advisory viewpoint, calculate the real cost of keeping the card for one year and compare it to expected savings on foreign transactions and added value from perks. Example: an A$96 annual fee equals an additional A$8 per month. If you earn A$0.00 in foreign-exchange savings per month because you rarely transact in foreign currency, that A$8 monthly cost reduces disposable income by A$96/year. Conversely, if the card saves you A$15 on a single overseas purchase relative to another card, the math changes. Model expected spend, fee, and interest outcomes before making a decision.

Consider credit-impact dynamics: closing an older account can affect average account age and available credit, which can have a small negative effect on credit scores. If you plan to apply for new credit in the near term, time the closure to avoid creating an unfavourable appearance on recent credit activity.

How to document a cancellation attempt and prepare for disputes

Record the date and time you initiated a cancellation-level action, note any confirmation identifiers you receive, and keep copies of the last statement showing the closing balance. If charges appear after the account appears closed, document the transaction details and escalate through the issuer's complaint channels then consider lodging an AFCA complaint if unresolved. Public cases show AFCA can and does award remedies where issuer processes failed.

Address

• Address: 28 Degrees Customer Support, GPO Box 1818, Melbourne, VIC 3001.

What to expect after cancelling 28 Degrees

Expect residual posting of pending transactions and potential fees or interest related to those postings for several business days after an effective closure date. Allow time for the issuer to reconcile pending items and to issue a final statement showing a zero or residual balance. If the final balance is non-zero, it will remain your legal obligation and may continue to attract interest until paid.

Monitor your credit report for 30 - 60 days to ensure the account closure and final balance are accurately reported. If a reporting error appears, gather your documentation and consider lodging a dispute with the credit reporting body, and escalate to AFCA for unresolved disputes. Public records show AFCA interventions have produced remedies where issuer systems incorrectly reported closures.

Financial optimisation tip: if the card has a recurring fee but you have an outstanding balance, modelling early settlement versus fee continuation often reveals the lowest-cost path. Paying down a balance to avoid interest accrual can be more important than the incremental fee saved by closure, depending on the APR. Use conservative assumptions in your calculations (assume full APR on carried balances until final reconciliation).

Next steps and options to consider

From a financial-advisory perspective, choose an option that minimises total cost and operational risk: either retain the card while optimising usage to offset fees, transfer recurring international spend to fee-free alternatives, or close the account at a moment aligned with your statement cycle and credit-planning horizon. Quantify annualised fees, likely foreign-transaction savings and expected interest exposure before taking action.

If you anticipate any discrepancy after closure, prepare the documentation checklist above and be ready to escalate through the issuer's complaint process and, if necessary, AFCA. Retain all evidence until the final balance is reconciled and your credit file reflects the intended closure.