Which credit cards can us use abroad without telling them you are leaving the country

greywillow

Can anyone help me with this one, I need to get a new credit card which I can use abroad. But most of them ask for you to adivse them each time you go abroad. My Barclaycard has been refused twice in France and once in Spain. Do you know of any cards except American Express - this one I understand is not acceptable in some shops etc in Europe that I can use without informing them each time I go abroad. :mad:

KTF

I wasnt aware that you had to tell them that you were going abroad? I have never done this and none of my cards have been refused.

$17mma

KTF wrote:

I wasnt aware that you had to tell them that you were going abroad? I have never done this and none of my cards have been refused.

Same here

I have always gone abroad used my card and had no problems..

Reaper

What they look for is unusual patterns of expenditure as it may be a sign of fraud.

If they spot one they sometimes put a block on the card until they have had a chance to speak to you to confirm it is valid. For example you only ever spend a few quid on it every month in supermarkets, then suddenly make a huge deposit at an online bookie.

Sometimes spending abroad looks odd to them, particularly if you have not been abroad with it before, and is more of a problem as they can't get hold of you to check and get the block lifted.

To be safe tell them before you leave, but having said that I have never informed anyone and have never had a problem.

I don't think one card is much better than another, but you may wish to look at Nationwide. Firstly because it is the best card to take abroad (click on the Overseas Spending link in the blue box above) and secondly because they expect it to be used abroad I doubt they will be so quick to put a block on it.

Caped_Avenger

Reaper is spot on. Just to add a very small point on top though:

Telling them you're going overseas won't stop your card being "flagged" for unusual spending, it will only make them more likely to remove the "flag" without having to speak to you first.

It always amuses me when people moan about fraud detection systems. :rolleyes:

Galstonian

You could always try informing them that you travel frequently. I've never had this problem with Nationwide and since it is the cheapest for foreign purchases I'd suggest getting one.

pin

i don't think the card was refused, just referred by the cc issuer, basically asking the shop to call and verify you. However most shops can't be bothered so tell you that your card has been rejected. This used to happen to me, then I changed to Nationwide. However I do call them each time I go away, just so they are aware that I will be spending abroad.

dc

If you go abroad regularly then that would be the spending pattern on your card and should not be a problem. The card may have been rejected in France because Barclays have only just become chip'n pin.

I too dont tell anyone I am going abroad, and tend to use unused cards for small amounts without probs, just to let them know I am still around and flush enough to travel.

I too would recommend the Nationwide cards for foreign use. Their bank card is also cheapest for cash.