Using Nationwide CC Abroad

normanmark

Merchandise interest is standard CC interest. Have you made a late payment recently or do you not pay your bill off in full every month?

dickydonkin

Thanks guys for all of your interesting and valid comments. My main gripe was that I was not informed prior to the reduction in my credit limit. If I was given 'reasonable' notice, I could have improvised for such an occurrence, however I was fortunate that I did take additional cash.

Regarding the comment of not relying on one card - in the interest of security, my wife and I leave our debit cards at home and only take our Nationwide Credit Card on our travels.

Many merchants abroad do not accept debit cards anyway, and I do not believe that taking a wallet full of credit cards abroad is a good idea. I have never had any problems with my Nationwide CC account or card on my many foreign trips so I had no reason to mistrust the card or the Institution.

I agree that "credit is not a right', however I have now taken the stance that for Nationwide to retain my savings in the future is also not a right.
In the interest of good customer services, my Nationwide membership should be treated as a package - taking into account my savings my wife and I have with them, previous loans paid on time without any default, long standing membership etc. It is a two way thing I believe and it would seem they are treating loyal customers/members with contempt.

I used to hold a CO-OP gold credit card and this card was free of annual fees if you spent over a certain amount per annum. If Nationwide deem that a cardholder is not spending enough on a credit card to make that account profitable for them, why do they not insist on a certain amount of annual spend to retain a credit limit and inform the cardholder of that requirement? - then at least the cardholder would have some indication of how much spend was needed to maintain a stipulated credit limit.

I believe that Nationwide are a victim of their own policy of extoling the virtues of using their credit card abroad to avoid currency 'loading fees'. Nationwide card holders may be using their 'main' credit card from another provider which may offer better inducements (air miles, cash back etc) for their main credit card purchases.
I believe that many Nationwide cardholders just use their cards possibly once a year while on their holidays - it will be these people who need to check their credit limit or check their card has not been cancelled prior to travelling. I would like to add that Nationwide is my sole card provider and I use it for all of my CC purchases - home and abroad. Unfortunately for Nationwide, due to the downturn in the travel/airline industry, I believe they may have to rethink their strategy as many Nationwide cardholders will not be using their card abroad for the foreseeable future and may opt for cards offering other perks.

I have had a written response from Nationwide, and my complaint has been forwarded to another department - I await the reply with interest.