Cheapest way to spend overseas discussion

grumbler · 11 April 2005 at 12:14PM

tug,
Unfortunately you are not the only one reporting this spreading con. Some other reports are in this THREAD.

Alex108 · 19 April 2005 at 12:56PM

I am looking for a credit card to use in Europe with no loading for purchasing in a shop. For currency, I would take cash rather than withdrawing money to save being charged. I always pay off my bills in full so that there is no charge there. I read that Liverpool Victoria is the best for this, but when I went on to the website to apply, for some reason I couldn't understand what to do! I clicked on the credit card link and was taken to the home screen. I'm sure I'm just being stupid, but could someone please help and tell me where I am going wrong and how to get it right. Thank you!

ast_4 · 20 April 2005 at 8:53AM

I use Nationwide and Saga credit card overseas. I have just been offered a new Co-operative Visa card named "Clear". I was told by the operative at the Co-op bank it does not load or charge for taking cash out overseas. Completely new card.

I cannot be more specific as I am waiting for the information to be sent by post.

Thought it might help if people were aware of this. Does anyone else know anything further?

AST

Chadsman · 20 April 2005 at 11:12AM

Re Liverpool Victoria: I just looked on their website and all the info to the CC has vanished. There are just a few links to where the pages once were

No info on why the CC is no longer there or when it (or something else) might return.

Re Co op Clear Card: There is info on the Co-Op bank page which says there is a 2.75% charge for overseas transactions

I have tried posting a link but half the URL gets replaced with '!!!'

Alex108 · 20 April 2005 at 11:26AM

Thank you for replying to my question. Do you know how I could apply for the LV credit card seeing as all the information has vanished? Maybe it was proving to be too popular - although I'm not sure how that would work! Is this definitely the best one (other than the Nationwide Visa Debit Card) for using abroad - in Europe anyway?

Chadsman · 20 April 2005 at 11:46AM

After a lot of hunting around their https://www...
I came up with an LV phone number 0800 134 134.

(from pointing to contact us and going down to sales)

layces · 21 April 2005 at 7:27AM

I have been using a Liverpool Victoria card solely for overseas transactions over the last 2 years and also, as a former civil servant arrange my car insurance through CSMA (Frizzels), which I believe is an associated company. LV give 'points' rather like 'money back' on transactions which can be used to pay for insurance. This reduced a recent renewal premium by over £17. As the insurance was a 'best buy' for me even without the LV points, this represents a real money-saver!

layces · 21 April 2005 at 7:36AM

Further to the post about contact numbers for Liverpool Victoria. I use +44 (01202) 758008 to contact them for balance queries. They are unique in my palette of financial institutions in having NO on-line banking arrangements for the credit card.

orcadian · 21 April 2005 at 8:33PM

Armthorpian,
Thanks for warning me that from 1.7.05 I will be ripped off on dollars by Liverpool Victoria. I got their card years ago when they charged only 1% loading fee.
Has anyone else tried Citibank (debit card)?
The Citibank UK website states there are no fees for opening a sterling and a US dollar or Euro cheque account provided the sum total across all your account balances is maintained above £2000. In my experience there is no loading charge or commission to switch cash between sterling and US dollars or Euro current accounts.
They issue a Citicard (VISA debit card), which can be also be switched to and fro between the sterling and foreign currency cheque accounts by calling their 24 hour freefone number. Once linked to the dollar account, payments in dollars are commission free. If you forget to switch it you will be charged commision.
Seems a lot simpler than Nationwide.

grumbler · 21 April 2005 at 10:01PM

orcadian wrote:

Seems a lot simpler than Nationwide.

I do not see any advantage

Read also 'Credit card US ATM charges correction' thread.

Cheapest way to spend overseas discussion

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