Nationwide Flexaccount

apt

You would be better off applying for the account now, but putting the money in the account shortly before going abroad given the account does not pay interest.

zolablue25

barryheffron wrote: »

I am planning to go to Barcelona in April.

Would i be best getting a Flex Account now and putting my intended holiday money in it now rather than just changing it into euros before i go?

The only thing I would worry about is if Nationwide decide to block your card so that you can't withdraw any cash. Unfortunately you can not tell them you will be using it abroad, or rather you can tell them but they won't take any notice. If its your only source of currency, you're stuffed.

MrSmartprice

I have been using a Nationwide Flexaccount debit card for years to withdraw currency from ATMs in a variety of countries. I have never been charged commission or a transaction fee. I do always make sure I use an ATM at a bank rather that a shop or petrol station, just as I would in the UK.

It is true that you get a better rate through Nationwide than a tourist rate. Last week I got 1.13 euro to the £ while the best tourist rate was only 1.11. But as previously stated, never let the ATM's bank convert it for you.

zolablue25

DaMaNiAc wrote: »

You should also make sure that you don't ask the cash machine to convert into your home currency as the exchange rate will be poor.

Excuse the ignorance as I have never done this before, but intend to next month, but is this obvious? I mean is it easy to spot the question and is it worded in a straightforward manner (unlike this question!!).

luci

It will says something like, "Do you want the transaction is GBP?" Make sure you press No.

Inactive

zolablue25 wrote: »

Excuse the ignorance as I have never done this before, but intend to next month, but is this obvious? I mean is it easy to spot the question and is it worded in a straightforward manner (unlike this question!!).

No, it is usually worded to confuse people.

Just hit no when the question is asked about how you wish for the currency to be converted.

photome

zolablue25 wrote: »

The only thing I would worry about is if Nationwide decide to block your card so that you can't withdraw any cash. Unfortunately you can not tell them you will be using it abroad, or rather you can tell them but they won't take any notice. If its your only source of currency, you're stuffed.

I always tell the before I go to the US, never had any problems. What amkes you say they dont take any notice?

fifeken

photome wrote: »

I always tell the before I go to the US, never had any problems. What amkes you say they dont take any notice?

They don't want to know now and the computer will block your card if it thinks somethings wrong whether you've told them or not.

http://www.nationwide.co.uk/search/DisplayArticle.aspx?article=1483

MrSmartprice

Inactive wrote: »

No, it is usually worded to confuse people.

Just hit no when the question is asked about how you wish for the currency to be converted.

You are quite right about this. It seems to try and persuade you to choose the 'yes' option and you need to read the question carefully in some cases.

zolablue25

photome wrote: »

I always tell the before I go to the US, never had any problems. What amkes you say they dont take any notice?

As already posted they will not record the fact that you will be using it abroad. You can, however, inform them if you intend to use their credit card abroad and they will make not of it.

Seems daft not to make a note of you wanting to use it abroad but when I queried them about it I was told that it is because 'most' of their customers use the card abroad, that's why they open an account with the Nationwide!

Is there a number you can call to get them to unlock the card if they lock it whilst you are abroad? Presumably there is.