Nationwide Cash Card +

Sor

The letter said they will be issuing these new cards between June and September if I remember... so they'll be sending out the letters gradually I guess? My brother hasn't got a letter yet.

I'm annoyed with this too. I don't want a debit card but I do want to be able to use my atm card abroad.... which this new card won't do :-( I went travelling for 2 years and had a nationwide credit card and cashcard. I had a few issues along the way but nationwide sorted them out and I was very very happy with them. Now.... credit card pointless outside Europe and now their cashcard will be useless abroad too...

So, if anyone has any suggestions on good current (cashcard) accounts which don't charge you for withdrawing cash and gives a good rate of exchange on the withdrawal, then I'm all ears.

Will be leaving Nationwide :-(

dzug1

Sor wrote: »

So, if anyone has any suggestions on good current (cashcard) accounts which don't charge you for withdrawing cash and gives a good rate of exchange on the withdrawal, then I'm all ears.

Will be leaving Nationwide :- (

AFAIK there aren't any - the only possibility is the Cumberland Building Society, and only if you live in their area. It's a debit card too.

Everyone else charges the standard 2.75% or thereabouts plus a fee. There might be the odd exception to the fee, but not to the %%.

Maybe NW are trying to weed out unwanted customers.

RobX_2

I just got a reply back from Nationwide about this. I'll post it below. It sounds very much like they're doing it for cost reasons.

If you ask me, a cash card should be just that. If Nationwide want to give people a debit card Flex, then why don't they just upgrade them to a debit card account? Instead, the people who need overseas cash machine withdrawals are forced out or now have to get a different account that they most likely don't want or need.

As I said in my initial message to them, why would I even want POS overseas? On average, my wife and I spend one month every year in Australia. Outside of the big stores and chains, few small shops where we stay actually even take cards. That's not to mention the security aspect - is it better for me to withdraw cash once or twice a week from the same one or two well known trusted cash machines nearby or to hand my card over at every transaction? As we've seen in the UK, it only takes one rogue operator and your account is drained. Doesn't sound like fun to me, especially when you're half way around the world.

The reply from Nationwide conveniently ignores both those points and apparently because "around 70%" of people use POS overseas rather than cash machines, I'm supposed to join that group, even though I don't want to and would prefer to keep my current account as it is, even if that means no POS in the UK.

I strongly suggest everyone who doesn't appreciate these changes get in touch with Nationwide and let them know. I doubt they'll change their minds, especially if it is a money saving thing, but, judging by the replies on other forums, I think more than enough people still want to use cash machines overseas. 30% of millions would probably be quite a lot of people actually.

Thank you for your message.

Having carried out a strategic review of our Basic Bank Account, Nationwide have noted that Consumer behaviour indicates that point of sale is more useful than the ability to withdraw from a cash machine. More than double the number of card transactions are carried out at point of sale rather than cash machines*. The new change enables customers to transact in a way more consistent with modern spending habits. In addition, the majority of debit card customers (around 70%) use their cards at point of sale abroad rather than at cash machines. Also, our offering for the Basic Bank Account gives us an account which better matches the needs of the market.

*Based on industry figures – UK Plastic Cards 2009, Apacs

Also as a prudent organisation, Nationwide has to consider the wider picture of costs to the business. There are costs associated with paying the acquirer bank fees for cash withdrawals abroad.

This is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we are confident that making minor changes to products will enable Nationwide to remain a strong and robust business in the current climate.



There is another option where you can have a DebitCard FlexAccount, as this allows for both cash withdrawals and purchases abroad. Should you require an alternative account with Nationwide, you will have to visit a branch to discuss the options.

Please use the following link to locate your nearest branch:

[link removed]

Regards,

[staff name removed]
Customer
Consultant

antonette254

just spoke to nationwide & the guy said that all cashcard accounts will be getting the new cashcard plus, which is visa debit. As far as i could make out though it will be like the co-op visa debit so not as widely accepted as the full visa debit card. Better than nothing though!:)

stclair

antonette254 wrote: »

just spoke to nationwide & the guy said that all cashcard accounts will be getting the new cashcard plus, which is visa debit. As far as i could make out though it will be like the co-op visa debit so not as widely accepted as the full visa debit card. Better than nothing though!:)

Hopefully itll be like barclays & Natwest visa debit

Co op there visa debit is questionable lol

book12

stclair wrote: »

Hopefully itll be like barclays & Natwest visa debit

Co op there visa debit is questionable lol

The card should work like Barclays, Natwest/RBS, and LTSB, and other banks offer Visa debit cards with ther basic bank accounts.

If not, we will have a situation about retailers BIN databases. Or maybe Nationwide has contacted retailers about the change before implementing the new debit cards...

stclair

book12 wrote: »

The card should work like Barclays, Natwest/RBS, and LTSB, and other banks offer Visa debit cards with ther basic bank accounts.

If not, we will have a situation about retailers BIN databases. Or maybe Nationwide has contacted retailers about the change before implementing the new debit cards...

Yeah its just if the retailers take any notice of the members letter lol

Sor

As the letter said the new card wont be able to be used abroad ATMs I wonder does that include Europe (their credit card is still 'good' for Europe)........ So if it can't be used in Europe....then does that means Ireland..... and guess where I live.....(ok so in the North, but going South does happen!)

Lots of questions to ask them and complain about!

Baldur

Sor wrote: »

(their credit card is still 'good' for Europe)........

And worldwide. So is the Flex Account VISA Debit Card, it's only the Cirrus Cashcard that's affected.

rb10

Sor wrote: »

As the letter said the new card wont be able to be used abroad ATMs I wonder does that include Europe (their credit card is still 'good' for Europe)........ So if it can't be used in Europe....then does that means Ireland..... and guess where I live.....(ok so in the North, but going South does happen!)

Lots of questions to ask them and complain about!

Europe (including Ireland) is abroad, so surely there's no reason why you would be able to use your card there.