Nationwide Flex Account - Cheap Foreign Money....

JA1000

It has been over 6 months but it will be another credit search which I am not willing to do at this stage.

moneysavingobsessive

I have a question about the flex account - hope someone can help me.

I use it to withdraw foreign currency abroad on a regular basis. However, my parents live in Egypt. Can they transfer EGP directly to my flex account and I receive GBP at the VISA rate less the 1% charge?

Or does foreign currency need to be turned into GBP before the transfer happens?

thanks,

Bloomberg

The Flexaccount is extremely good for overseas usage. Free withdrawals only apply in Europe. Given the current economic climate I wonder how long it will be before the cheap/free overseas facility is revoked. Was the introduction of the 1% charge outside Europe the first step towards falling in line with the banks? What so other MSE posters think?

urb1972

Please be aware that the new Flex Account CashCard+ CANNOT be used to withdraw money abroad, due to it not having the Cirrus mark that was shown on the previous non-debit card version. I for one am quite annoyed at this. I had hassled Nationwide for a debit card for years, but have recently been overseas and it was a lifesaver being able to withdraw money from atm's there (USA). I am going to Amsterdam next week and have to make sure that I have cash with me as, although I will be able to pay for things with my new debit card, I won't be able to withdraw any cash in case certain places won't accept it. I wonder why Nationwide is such a give and take bank.

onlypaddy

And from 1st November they will charge all debit card customers to withdraw and make transactions too, so its not worth it at all any more. Mine's closed now, such a waste