Off To America With My Barclaycard

mad.dog_7

But is it the best card to take with me? I'm off in two weeks and intend to do a spot of shopping too. Is there a better card I might be able to get in time? I may my card off in full every month

Or am I better just taking my barclays additions plus card with me and spending my money?

Robert_Sterling_3

Nationwide can be a lot better when shopping using a Credit Card.
Other companies charge 2.75% extra on your bills for no good reason.
Nationwide is "proud to be different".

I have no connection with Nationwide other than as a satisfied customer and I am pleased to drawn attention, in the MSE tradition, to their exceptional Credit Card.

grumbler

For Nationwide cards read Martin's article:The cheapest way to spend overseas: save 6% . Their credit card is the best for purchases; debit or cash card is the best for withdrawals. However, I think that your chances to get new card(s) during 2 weeks are very low.
Barclays will charge you 2.75% for currency conversion plus 1.5% (min £1.50, max £4.50) for cash withdrawals. You can avoid 1.5% by using Bank of America ATMs ...
http://www.personal.barclays.co.uk/BRC1/jsp/brccontrol?task=articleFWgroup&value=6295&target=_self&site=pfs

dc

Must agree with Robert, I have hopped from card to card trying to get a good exchange rate, each time I have found a good card (much less than 2.75% loading) they have all upped the fee to the same 2.75.

There will not be a problem with using the Barclaycard, it will be accepted without query, just sign for goods, as they don't do chip'n'pin.

I would recommend going in to a Nationwide branch and open up a Flexaccount ( current account) there and then. Say you are going abroad and would like to use their cards. They will do a credit check there and then and open an account if you pass. You will get a Cash card or Visa Debit card that you can use to get cash from US cash machines without any charges by Nationwide, ( may get charged a fee by US firm, like over here), so beware, and check first. You will also be offered a Nationwide Visa Card if your credit is OK, that also has no exchange fee.

I did that last Thursday and the cards arrived yesterday and are useable once you activate them. Cheque book arrived today and I havent paid a penny so far. :j So do it now.

( edit)Hi Grumbler, Southend couldnt believe it as they havent sent the PIN yet. :beer:

Many thanks to mse'r ALLY for her help in pointing this out to me.

mad.dog_7

Hmmm - It seems there is no point at all in me keeping my barclaycard, except to keep the extended warranties going that I got before they stopped them

[Deleted User]

mad.dog wrote:

Hmmm - It seems there is no point at all in me keeping my barclaycard, except to keep the extended warranties going that I got before they stopped them

Totally agree with you there mad.dog. I have used Barclaycard for several years, but since they stopped all their loyalty schemes, I think they are now the worst card when compared to other cards. I have stopped using mine.

Rafter

May be worth taking your Barclaycard with you for their international rescue service.

I think you can call them and they can arrange emergency cash, accommodation etc if something goes wrong with your trip.

If you can't get your Nationwide account setup in time, I think the additions card is pretty good for cash withdrawls (no additional fee). You will lose 2.75% on the exchange rate, but this is still better than travellers cheques or using travelex to get your money at the airport.

Remember when making major purchases overseas you are not covered in the same way as you are in the UK if something goes wrong. So make sure if you buy any electronic goods you get an international guarantee.

mad.dog_7

thanks for the help people

I've applied for the Nationwide card,and will take my Barclaycard as well, just in case!

asandwhen

You get extended warranty on the Nationwide credit card too - I think it is electrical good for an extra years warranty - recently done it on a new TV.

JimArnold

I'd recommend telling Barclaycard that you are going abroad - otherwise they have the nasty habit of suspending your card because of unusual activity

Penny-Pincher!!

Hi

I usually take my BC with me when we go to the states. Never had any problems and you dont get charged on each use etc over there. I always call them to let them know we are going abroad and they make a note of where we are going etc for their records and so they dont think any "funny" activity is happening on your CC account.

If you pay in full every month-you shouldnt have any problems!

They are not very hot on chip and pin over there and you can sign for your visa/mastercard etc basically everywhere. The only place I saw proper chip and pin machines were in Walmart but you didnt have to use them.

Have a great holiday.

PP
xx