Left in the lurch by Nationwide cash card changes - what can I do?

trrk

I am currently travelling overseas for a year or more and using my Nationwide cash card as my main source of cash and am not returning to the UK until early 2011.

Now it seems they are replacing the cash card with a card that can't be used to withdraw money overseas so I don't know what to do so that I can keep on accessing my money after my current cash card stops working? I have an HSBC account as well but really don't want to use that because of the high fees for withdrawels but is that my only option?

I have tried contacting Nationwide by email but am getting nowhere (mostly unhelful automated responses). Am thinking of calling them but am loath to call a call centre from overseas (in Thailand at the moment). Even if they will upgrade the card it will still be a mjor hassle as they will have to send a new card to my parents and they will need to send it poste restante or courier to me somewhere in Asia.

I'm really angry with Nationwide about this as there was no sign of the changes when I left the UK and they seem unwilling to help me continue to access my cash.

zppp

Hi there,

Right, have a look at this link;

http://www.nationwide.co.uk/current_account/card-changes2.htm

It does state that you can make purchases abroad, but not cash wthdrawals. I would suggest getting a prepaid card from the Post Office for example, or look at taking with you some travellers cheques?

dzug1

zppp wrote: »

Hi there,

Right, have a look at this link;

http://www.nationwide.co.uk/current_account/card-changes2.htm

It does state that you can make purchases abroad, but not cash wthdrawals. I would suggest getting a prepaid card from the Post Office for example, or look at taking with you some travellers cheques?

But he's already overseas......

Your HSBC card is probably your best bet. The fees are no higher than changing cash/TCs as long as you use it sensibly.

Most (not all) prepaid cards are expensive, but it's a bit late to get one. Maybe see what's available in the country you are in now?

albacookie

Will you be in one country for any length of time? When I was travelling I opened an account with ANZ in Australia and transfered money from my UK account. I could use the card in Aus and NZ - I was there for 6 months which made it worthwhile, if you'll be moving more frequently it may not suit you.

Happy travels!

zppp

dzug1 wrote: »

But he's already overseas......

Your HSBC card is probably your best bet. The fees are no higher than changing cash/TCs as long as you use it sensibly.

Most (not all) prepaid cards are expensive, but it's a bit late to get one. Maybe see what's available in the country you are in now?

On the link given it states the following;

I live abroad; will I be sent a replacement card?
Yes, but please note that you will not be able to use the new cash card+ in cash machines outside the UK.
I'm currently travelling abroad and will be away until after September 2010 – what do I need to do?
If you don't plan to come back to the UK during the dates the cards are being sent out, please contact us on +44 845 604 6345. Your new card will be sent to your home address. This may prevent you from accessing the cash machine with your existing cash card. If this is the case we can discuss alternative arrangements with you for the time you're abroad.
I'm currently travelling abroad but plan to be back by June– what do I need to do?
You don't need to do anything. We'll send a new cash card+ to your home address between June and September 2010.


This suggests that the OP can contact them and make alternative arrangements

littlemissbossy

I am also disappointed with Nationwide. I have advised them I will be going to USA in 2 weeks and asked them to make a note so I don't have any problems using my Flexaccount debit card. I too got an automated response saying that its not possible and that they will just monitor my account for any unusual activity.

So if I use a cash machine does that mean the machine will just gobble up my card?

Not very helpful, I'm going to ring them tomorrow.

zppp

Normally if a bank suspects you have unusual acivity on your debit card, they will place a stop on the card and contact you. I would suggest that you update your details with them before you go away in case this happens.

I would also suggest that you take another card (if you have one) which would cover you if that one failed for any reason.

Have a good holiday!

Rgds

zppp

Olipro

littlemissbossy wrote: »

I am also disappointed with Nationwide. I have advised them I will be going to USA in 2 weeks and asked them to make a note so I don't have any problems using my Flexaccount debit card. I too got an automated response saying that its not possible and that they will just monitor my account for any unusual activity.

So if I use a cash machine does that mean the machine will just gobble up my card?

Not very helpful, I'm going to ring them tomorrow.

Nationwide use active fraud monitoring, when you get to the airport, use your debit card to withdraw some cash or make a purchase and when you land in the USA, go use your card at an ATM, you shouldn't have any issues.

YorkshireBoy

littlemissbossy wrote: »

Not very helpful, I'm going to ring them tomorrow.

They'll probably just refer you to...

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

littlemissbossy

littlemissbossy wrote: »

I am also disappointed with Nationwide. I have advised them I will be going to USA in 2 weeks and asked them to make a note so I don't have any problems using my Flexaccount debit card. I too got an automated response saying that its not possible and that they will just monitor my account for any unusual activity.

So if I use a cash machine does that mean the machine will just gobble up my card?

Not very helpful, I'm going to ring them tomorrow.

I thought I would add an update in case this is relevent to anyone else.

I have just spoken to Nationwide, they said as long as there is enough money in my flexaccount to cover the transaction and the pin number has been used I will be fine. Also advised to take other means of payment just in case (as mentioned by zppp)

They also recommend to use well known cash machines like HSBC, Santander etc, to avoid potential fraud.

Olipro: Thanks for the tip about using card at airport, I'll do that.

Hope that helps someone.

hippey

If it helps....

Your card won't get gobbled up, all the US ATM's (or at least all those I know of) are swipe or 'in/out' type, in other words you push and pull the card out yourself the machine does not pull the card in, therefore it doesn't get retained, that doesn't mean Nationwide won't block it, but at least you will still physically have it.