The Cheapest Way to Spend Overseas Discussion Area

knithappens

Pin thanks for the reply. Good to know just wrote it in my travel book/diary. that way i wont forget

swizzle_2

Hi

I have a Nationwide debit card which I plan to us on my trip down under- but as I plan to get all my cash this way and pay for everything else on my nationwide visa, but I`m just a bit worried incase my case gets swallowed up! by the ATM. How long would it take to get my card back-or get a replacement?

I remember on my last visit being somewhere that did not like my card- it was a barclays debit-before mse, and I had to go into the branch with my passport and was able to draw money over the counter, can you still do this?

I am a born worrier.

Thanks

Aletank

swizzle wrote:

Hi

I have a Nationwide debit card which I plan to us on my trip down under- but as I plan to get all my cash this way and pay for everything else on my nationwide visa, but I`m just a bit worried incase my case gets swallowed up! by the ATM. How long would it take to get my card back-or get a replacement?
Thanks

I'm off to Kuala Lumpur,Oz,Singapore next week, I've just been into my Nationwide branch and notified them of my travel dates and the countrys I will be in,they have put a £2000 limit on my Flex account and £1000 limit on my credit card during the period I'm away.THis is to guard against fraud and incase they suspend my cards whilst I'm away for having a "unusal spending habit" . They asked me for a contact number whilst i am away but unfortunatly i didn't have one.
Definatly worth while popping into a brance before you go to sort things out and asking any questions you have.;)

HugoRune_2

pin wrote:

Its been asked soo, soo many times, where is the best place to get holiday money?

I know there are articles about holiday money, etc, however I thought I would write a little list of my top choices:

1. Nationwide Debit Card for ATM withdrawals from destination country / Nationwide Credit Card or the Audi credit card for purchases in destination country (but watch out for Dynamic Currency Conversion).

2. Any other debit card for ATM withdrawals from destination country / any other credit card for purchases in destination country (but for both CHECK T&C's to see exact charges).

3. Thomas Exchange Global in central London.

4. Travelex online (remember Travelex will price match any other exchange service, i.e. the one above)

5. Marks and Spencer

6. Online FX (using this link ensures free deliver).

7. Thomson Travel (they seem to use Amex as their travel money provider).

8. Co-op Travel (they use Curreny Express / Exchange and offer free delivery for orders over £300).

9. Post Office (while probably not the best rate, there are many of them around, so may be convinient).

10. Haggle with High Street travel agent (which may ensure better rates than 5 to 9 above).

With 3 - 9, if you are paying with debit / credit card check your T&C's as many providers charge for the priviledge of using money exchange services.

Cheers, just saved a fiver for onlinefx delivery!

jinkssick

Im also a born worrier thinking that I cannot afford to have my money on the nationwide flex account and have it closed due to "unusal spending habit"? But will have to go in and speak to them I guess.

Starfish

Has anyone had experience of using the Nationwide CASHCARD at ATMs abroad? I will be going to Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong soon and would like to use my card over there. I don't have the Visa Debit card. The only sign on my cashcard is the Cirrus one. Is that widely accepted?

Just to add, the cashcard is also fee-free when used abroad.

pin

Starfish wrote:

Has anyone had experience of using the Nationwide CASHCARD at ATMs abroad? I will be going to Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong soon and would like to use my card over there. I don't have the Visa Debit card. The only sign on my cashcard is the Cirrus one. Is that widely accepted?

Just to add, the cashcard is also fee-free when used abroad.

I think you should be fine, Cirrus is backed by Mastercard abroad, so just use the Mastercard locator to get an idea of coverage.

too_many_details

Hi,

just wanted to let people know that i have just returned from holiday where i went to Thailand and (mostly) Vietnam.

In Vietnam I was unable to avoid a 20000D fee (about 75p) every time i used an ATM to withdraw cash.

Also, chip and pin usage was variable. Some places where happy to let me sign and others wanted me to enter my pin.

Thailand was all fee-less.

HTH,

Rakesh

hammy_the_hammer

Aletank wrote:

I'm off to Kuala Lumpur,Oz,Singapore next week, I've just been into my Nationwide branch and notified them of my travel dates and the countrys I will be in,they have put a £2000 limit on my Flex account and £1000 limit on my credit card during the period I'm away.THis is to guard against fraud and incase they suspend my cards whilst I'm away for having a "unusal spending habit" . They asked me for a contact number whilst i am away but unfortunatly i didn't have one.
Definatly worth while popping into a brance before you go to sort things out and asking any questions you have.;)

at the beginning of last month i had to take out approximately the maximum amount each day from my flex account ..i panicked a bit after doing this for about 4 days in a row when on the 5th day it wouldn't let me make a withdrawal...i then realised that i had tried to take out two large amounts in the same UK day....i left it about 3 hours ,tried again and no problem. so remember it works by UK days not destination days...if you know what i mean.

pat_sexy

Hi Everybody,

I'm heading to Toronto, Canada in a few days with my no fees Nationwide Flex card.

Does anyone know of any Canadian banks which do not charge ATM withdrawal fees

or, at least, who charges the lowest fees.

Thanx

Pat