which credit card for abroad

baccyman

i am going to be staying in spain for the whole of february 2010 and i am trying to find out which would be the best credit card to take away with me so i dont end up with charges for using it abroad,
or which direct debit would be best for me to use i have got a barclays visa debit card that used to be electro since they have sent out new cards the electron logo has disappeared,
i have heard Martin on tv saying about cards and im not sure if it was nationwide,
thanks.

chattychappy

Yep, within Europe, Nationwide's debit card is 0%. It comes with the Flex Account. For credit cards, there's Nationwide, Santander Zero, Post Office.

Whatever you do, I'd take more than one (even if it's a non-free card) in case you suffer declines. Certainly with Santander you should let them know when you'll be in Spain.

Make sure that charges are put through in Euros and not GBP. If they are put through in GPB you'll get the shop's exchange rate which is almost certainly inferior.

Don't get cash out on the credit card unless it's an absolute emergency.


Have a nice trip!

baccyman

thanks chattychappy

INT1

I have just applied for a Santander Card for the 0%, I did the application but it didn't tell me if it went through or not?!

97trophy

take two credit cards from different banks.

stephane_2

Customer service with Santander is like their card : zero!!!

chattychappy

stephane wrote: »

Customer service with Santander is like their card : zero!!!

What was your personal experience of Santander?

Mine has been very good. I applied shortly before going away for 3 months. They were able to tell me the credit limit (which was generous) over the phone and the card arrived just in time for my trip. BT handled efficiently.

I didn't get the online stuff in time - so rang them periodically to check balance, arrange payments, and update them as to where I was. Always got through to call centres in the UK, promptly too - helpful when calling from Hong Kong, Vietnam, etc.

stephane_2

chattychappy wrote: »

What was your personal experience of Santander?

Mine has been very good. I applied shortly before going away for 3 months. They were able to tell me the credit limit (which was generous) over the phone and the card arrived just in time for my trip. BT handled efficiently.

I didn't get the online stuff in time - so rang them periodically to check balance, arrange payments, and update them as to where I was. Always got through to call centres in the UK, promptly too - helpful when calling from Hong Kong, Vietnam, etc.

Yeap!! and by reading numerous thread...am not the only one.