Nationwide....another question!

Amy83

A question for all of you with a Nationwide Card. I applied last year for a flex account, and got given a Cash Card rather than a debit card.

I thought it'd be a simple trip into the bank to upgrade it, but apparently I don't meet the criteria. I was rejected for a debit card...evidently not responsible enough or something, despite managing debit and credit cards well for the best part of 10 years. Anyway, I could rant about that for a while, but that's not my question.:rotfl:

I was told to reapply for the current account (as my circumstances have changed ever so slightly), but as far as I can tell the cashcard would suit my requirements, it's the same (no)fees for withdrawing cash abroad? and as it's Cirrus it's accepted everywhere Mastercard and Maestro is?

Does anyone have, and travel with, a Nationwide Cash Card, has it worked ok?


Thanks in advance

Also, I've just stumbled across this topic http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=577413&highlight=Nationwide+Cash+Card ; that says that Nationwide are no longer issuing Cash Card only flex accounts. Does this mean that cash card flex accounts opened before this time won't have the flex benefits now? (ie the free cash withdrawals abroad?) - I called Nationwide a minute ago and they told me it was definately free cash withdrawals abroad, but they couldn't send me anything in the post to confirm this

Sorry this is so long, hoping someone can set me straight. To be honest I'm a little scared of going away with a cashcard, it seems like a step backwards - but if people have used the cashcard abroad then hopefully I'll be ok

hap123ciu

I used mine plenty of times and no problem with withdrawing cash abroad. I have a Cash Card on a Flex Account too...and is free of charge for transactions abroad...

sofa_surfer

More here: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=15551587#post15551587; in

I've just stumbled across this topic http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...de+Cash +Card

the OP has got it wrong in my opinion.

KTF

My girlfriend has a cash card and I have the debit card. I have found that some ATMs are 'fussy' when it comes to the debit card but the cash card works fine so of the two options the cash card may be the better one.

System

The debit card is on the Visa network, and the cash card on the MasterCard network.
Therefore acceptance is not likely to be identical, with some machines taking one or the other. That being said, i've never had an issue with the Visa network.

Nationwide seem to be trying to restrict the cashcard account to people who don't have other current accounts.
I would infer that the accounts are loss making for the society, especially if people are just using them for foreign ATM access only.

Amy83

Thanks everyone, seems like I'm worrying about nothing then. Will have my regular Natwest debit card as back up anyway, as well as a Visa and Mastercard creditcard.

Heng Leng, I'd agree - they most likely are working at a loss, as they definately will be with mine. If they'd have given me a debit card then chances are I'd continue using the card as my regular account when I got back from my 8 month trip, but as it's only a cashcard it'll be tucked away in the draw for the next time. Their loss I guess!

Kavanne

Amy, if your credit is OK might be worth applying for the Nationwide credit card, if you have the credit card and the cash card then you can make purchases and withdraw cash abroad for free

lofty100_2

I used my Nationwide card when I was in Barbados last time: no problems and much more convenient than messing around with travellers cheques. My advice would be to phone or write to Nationwide before you go to let them know you will be abroard; I have heard of people having their cards blocked because of suspect transactions when they hadn't told the bank.

Also take any excess money out of your account, it is easy to get carried away and spend more than you intended.

Kilty_2

I've used my Nationwide Cash Card abroad a couple of times and didn't have any problems .

I'm going to see if it can be upgraded now that I'm 18 though - not having a debit card on the account my wages are paid into is a pain. My FlexAccount is a bit strange - it's not a Cash Card Only account because it has a chequebook - it has the quicker cheque clearance times just like a full FlexAccount with debit card has, too.

Maybe this will give me a better chance of being approved for an upgrade, I don't know.

wr1ght

i have used my cash card in las vegas recently no problems at all.

Amy83

Thanks again, from looking at other threads about Nationwide (sorry, didn't realise there was so many topics on it!) I might just apply for another account online. Worst case scenario is they say no and I trundle off with my trusty little cash card.

Will definately warn my banks I'll be abroad, thanks for the advice.

lofty100 wrote: »

Also take any excess money out of your account, it is easy to get carried away and spend more than you intended.

Excess money?! Whats that then :rotfl: