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MSE News: Taking cards abroad: Should I tell my bank?

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Former_MSE_Helen
Former_MSE_Helen Posts: 2,382 Forumite
in Overseas holidays & travel planning
"Does telling your debit or credit card provider you're going on holiday make a difference? The answer is: yes and no..."
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Taking cards abroad: Should I tell my bank?

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  • torbrex
    torbrex Posts: 71,340 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker Rampant Recycler Hung up my suit!
    One of the most recommended cards for use abroad, Saga, is not included on the list.

    When I am on holiday, I do not have any contact details, does this mean that I will not be able to use my card on holiday? (the whole point of getting the card in the first place)
  • Wywth
    Wywth Posts: 5,079 Forumite
    As an aside, I recently even had my Aqua reward card refused for an online transaction with a well known highsteet retailer for 'security reasons'
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4662065

    I wouldn't have minded, but when they called me to confirm the transaction they said I didn't need to do anything else.
    And the the store emailed me to say the transaction was declined by the card company :mad:
    (It went through no problems the second time)

    Anyway, back to abroad. I see MBNA are not mentioned either.
    I've used them abroad without informing them in advance. (the Aqua card has far too low a limit for what I sometimes spend abroad, especially if it's on business ex's :D)

    Never had any issue with MBNA abroad.
  • Wywth
    Wywth Posts: 5,079 Forumite
    torbrex wrote: »
    ...When I am on holiday, I do not have any contact details, does this mean that I will not be able to use my card on holiday? (the whole point of getting the card in the first place)

    If a card provider tempoarily suspends authorisation (or in the case of Aqua, totally declines it) they will attempt to call you on whatever contact number you have given. This can be a mobile number :)
  • reclusive46
    reclusive46 Posts: 2,698 Forumite
    torbrex wrote: »
    One of the most recommended cards for use abroad, Saga, is not included on the list.

    When I am on holiday, I do not have any contact details, does this mean that I will not be able to use my card on holiday? (the whole point of getting the card in the first place)

    It just means they won't be be able to call you to verify a purchase if your cards gets blocked, you'll have to find someway to call them. Can't you take your mobile with you? They will normally refund roaming charges if they needed to call them or you needed to call them.
  • joerid
    joerid Posts: 33 Forumite
    I think the article is poorly written.

    Why are some banks not recommended for calling?

    What is the disadvantage (what is there to lose?).
  • Innys1
    Innys1 Posts: 3,434 Forumite
    Surely this doesn't apply to prepaid cards containing funds in a foreign currency?

    For example, I've been loading up my Fairfax card with US$ before my trip there next month. Surely I don't have to call them before I go? After all, that is the purpose of the card in the first place.
  • torbrex
    torbrex Posts: 71,340 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker Rampant Recycler Hung up my suit!
    Wywth wrote: »
    If a card provider tempoarily suspends authorisation (or in the case of Aqua, totally declines it) they will attempt to call you on whatever contact number you have given. This can be a mobile number :)
    reclusive46 wrote: »
    It just means they won't be be able to call you to verify a purchase if your cards gets blocked, you'll have to find someway to call them. Can't you take your mobile with you? They will normally refund roaming charges if they needed to call them or you needed to call them.
    Just to be awkward, I don't even have a mobile contact number in this country :o
    Also, I am going to the back country in Alaska so doubtful if there will be a signal anyway.

    I will be giving Saga a call before I go but as there has already been a few transactions based in Anchorage, I am hoping that there will be no problems.
  • zagfles
    zagfles Posts: 21,443 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Chutzpah Haggler
    It's about time banks had options to tell them via internet banking - most don't seem to.

    Nationwide do, but it's very messy, you need to do the current account separately from the credit card, and the credit card won't let you add more than one "region", so if you're say going to Australia/NZ stopping in Bangkok/Singapore/LA on the way, you can't tell them because that's two regions!
  • torbrex
    torbrex Posts: 71,340 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker Rampant Recycler Hung up my suit!
    zagfles wrote: »
    It's about time banks had options to tell them via internet banking - most don't seem to.

    Nationwide do, but it's very messy, you need to do the current account separately from the credit card, and the credit card won't let you add more than one "region", so if you're say going to Australia/NZ stopping in Bangkok/Singapore/LA on the way, you can't tell them because that's two regions!
    I wanted to set up an extra payment to my credit card but my bank would not let me do it online in spite of the details being exactly the same as my existing direct debit.

    They wanted to telephone me to confirm the details of the transaction but as they don't have a contact number for me. the whole thing was cancelled.

    It seems thay don't trust internet banking where as I don't trust telephone banking.
  • jackieblack
    jackieblack Posts: 10,499 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    torbrex wrote: »
    One of the most recommended cards for use abroad, Saga, is not included on the list.

    When I am on holiday, I do not have any contact details, does this mean that I will not be able to use my card on holiday? (the whole point of getting the card in the first place)
    Post Office (also fee free for foreign purchases) isn't listed either.

    We always use CC in the USA and have only ever had a problem with our Santander Zero cards (on two separate trips) despite telling them in advance.
    We don't use our mobiles in the USA, so are not contactable. We always make sure we have back up cards in case of a problem.
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