Nationwide CC Foreign Purchase Exchange rates?

malky39

it sure is. Have used a nationwide c/c and flex account abroad many times. And the exchange rate has always been favourable. It also is alot easier as you do not have to change money going out or coming home and you wont normally end up with a load of coins you cant change

pinkfluffybabe

I got 1.46 euro to the £ last week in Spain with both Nationwide CC and Flex. Was well chuffed. Do watch out that you are being charged in Euros and not £s by the cash machine and/or shops - you get the option now and by picking euros it means N/wide set the rate and not the machine/shop.

gazhawkins

Your best bet is as follows:

For trips abroad, keep a regular amount of say 500 quid in your Nationwide Flexaccount (earns about 4.25% interest). Use your Nationwide debit card to make withdrawals (no charge).

Any cash you have over and above this, put into a Nationwide e-Savings account (earns 4.55% interest).

Both accounts can be linked, and have full internet banking facilities. So, when your flexaccount is getting a bit low - just top it up from your e-savings account - plenty of internet cafes where you can do this.

If you're at all worried about internet security - just keep all your dough in the flexaccount and forget about transfers from e-savings.



Also - ref Lisyloo's point about non-insurance of credit card surplus - are you sure about this ??? The consumer credit act of 1974 limits the cardholders liability to 50 quid. If there are any consumer law specialists out there - please assist....

megsykins

Hi Everyone,

I'm going travelling for 5 months; already have Nationwide Flexaccount (and e-savings) with debit card and have just got a NW CC (incl 0% on purchases for 9 months so don't have to pay for stuff till I'm back home and working again!) However, I keep reading warnings about going travelling - saying to take a Visa and a Mastercard as not everywhere (particularly S America) takes Visa.

So... what's the best Mastercard for using abroad and not incurring extra charges?

Thanks!
Megs

gazhawkins

As far as I know, try Liverpool Victoria or SAGA (if you're sufficiently aged). Not sure if they are VISA or MASTERCARD, but I believe the charges are less than the standard 2.75%.

You would be wise to take some US Dollars travellers cheques and some US Dollars Cash as backup: in case you lose your VISA/Mastercard in S America.

ioscorpio

A NW flexaccount cash card is cirrus/mastercard

pin

http://corporate.visa.com/pd/consumer_services/consumer_ex_faq.jsp

On how Visa works out its rates. Then its up to the card provider to add their own percentage, NW however does not.

Jessiepig

We used Egg card and got 1.44 euros to the pound no charge and 1.43 on Nationwide flex in Lanzarote so really pleased. This was end of July.