Cards for using abroad

FRANKIEBOY_3

Now that Nationwide are charging for using their card abroad,can anyone recommend any other cards that don,t

Thanks

benf90

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money#topcards

If you scroll down there's a table comparing cards.

bryanb

Nationwide still free in EU

poppy_f1

post office i believe

RichardJW1

I live & work in Central Asia and actually conducted a little test back on 9th April regarding cost of withdrawing cash (in USD)

So the contenders were as follows

1) NatWest Gold Mastercard
2) Barclaycard Visa (the simple one)
3) Nationwide Gold Visa

The total cost of withdrawing $1000 was (this includes ALL charges)

1) Nationwide - £720.68
2) Barclaycard - £740.50
3) Natwest Mastercard - £762.18

This was on a day when the exchange rate was 1:1.47.

But I had 'loaded' the cards so didn't incur the cash advance apr which with both Visa cards is 27.9% whereas the Mastercard was only 24.9%

chattychappy

I would still carry Nationwide, if only as a backup. I've heard so many horror stories about cards being blocked/declined when overseas. Barclays have been a pain over this too.

I've spent most of the last 5 years in Asia and have got on very well with Nationwide. Never had a problem. Now starting on Abbey Zero (no longer available, I know). But they were keen to know dates and specific countries etc. So will keep Nationwide Visa with me.

King_Of_Fools

Even where Nationwide is now passing on the 1% Visa charge outside Europe it is still cheaper than virtually every other credit card that charges 2.5% - 3%.

exel1966

The clear worldwide winner is the Post Office card (run by the Bank Of Ireland) as reccomended by MSE in the earlier link posted.

Christa1

I have an Abbey Zero card which I plan to use of our triop to the US this summer. For the last two trips I took the Nationwide CC and DC, which were great, using Bank of America to withdrea cash gor gtreat rates and no ATM charges. Am taking the CC in case of emergency, but what I liked about the Zero is that it is bot a CC and DC in one, according to their literature there are no fees for wirhdrawing cash either but as I have no experience of this can someone advise? Naturally not to incur any changes, once the bill arrives it has to be paid in full, but it seems an ideal card.

exel1966

Christa1 wrote: »

according to their literature there are no fees for wirhdrawing cash either but as I have no experience of this can someone advise? Naturally not to incur any changes, once the bill arrives it has to be paid in full, but it seems an ideal card.

ShABBEY will NOT charge you a fee (usually £3.00) for withdrawing cash overseas using the ZERO card, however the local ATM provider can and possibly will.

It would be very unwise to withdraw cash abroad due to the extortionate rate of interest (25% approx) which would be immediately charged until the debt is repaid in full.

RichardJW1

unfortunately some of us don't have any option but to withdraw the cash whilst abroad.

Aside from the commission charges the local banks charge an extra 3% for a Mastercard withdrawal and 5% for a Visa card withdrawal.

Add to this that Nationwide Visa add 2.5% handling fee, Barclaycard Visa is 2.75% and Mastercard 3%

But as I said before in terms of repaying it Mastercard is cheaper on cash APR