Nationwide Flex Account Card overseas?

cruz99

Going to Italy soon and it's the first time I've been out of the country in years. Since the days of package holidays to Spain and travelers cheques (remember them?)

I've got a Nationwide Flex Account and I've been told it's cheap to use this card to withdraw cash from ATM's abroad. Is this true?

It would be very handy if it was.

How are the charges for using the card to make purchases in shops/restaurants?

luci

What type of card is it, is it a cash card or a full debit card?

cruz99

Visa Debit Card

luci

Then it is fee free to use in Europe and you will get the full Interbank rate and not the tourist rate both withdrawing at ATM's or using it for purchases.

Do a search for Nationwide or Flex on here as there are dozens of previous topics.

cruz99

Great. That makes things easier

winnie81

I have this account and have just checked in branch if we get free withdrawals and we do in Europe

peterbaker

One final tip for the OP ... not sure if the practice of "Dynamic Currency Conversion" (DCC) is still prevalent at hire car firms, restaurants and at some ATMs in Europe, but in order to be sure that you do not lose out on your fee free FOREX benefit with Nationwide, make sure all your transactions are in Euros at the point of sale. Some hire car firms are notorious for taking a manual credit card imprint at the beginning of the hire and not telling you that they charged you in pounds via DCC. Check carefully when you drop the car off afterwards. To ensure commission free use of the card, make sure you do not press any button on any machine that indicates that you agree to pay in pounds sterling on the spot. If you do, then the nature of the on the spot currency conversion is likely to cost you the money you would otherwise save by being a Nationwide customer compared to other VISA card issuers. In previous years, the DCC difference (surcharge) usually worked out at around 3%, and if the merchant wants to use DCC then it's your choice not theirs. They are obliged to ask you but in practice they often don't, and when they do, the language on the machines in particular is often couched almost as a double negative to confuse you.

DCC? ... You don't-a-wanna-do that