MSE News discussion. Nationwide kills cheap overseas spending

TOP_CAT

Wait till they start declining the credit card transactions overseas for low use users?.
Claiming high risk transaction possibility.
Got your backup ready?

luci

TOP_CAT wrote: »

Wait till they start declining the credit card transactions overseas for low use users?.
Claiming high risk transaction possibility.
Got your backup ready?

Oh they have already started doing this, and we are not low use users.

Never had a problem using the Nationwide Gold card abroad for years until May this year. Then they declined a couple of transactions and we had to call them.

They said it was because we hadn't told them we would be using the card abroad, despite their website still saying they do NOT need to be told.

They said they needed to be told as it was THEIR money that would be lost if it was a fraudulent transaction. They don't need to be told about using the debit card as that would be MY money.

Then they queried a couple of online transactions made in the US. Again, been using this company for years without issue.

I have switched to using a Halifax Clarity card. Told them we were going to the US, as they state they need to be told which isn't a problem, and have been using it extensively for almost 2 weeks without problem.

choc_mouse

luci wrote: »

They said it was because we hadn't told them we would be using the card abroad, despite their website still saying they do NOT need to be told.

They said they needed to be told as it was THEIR money that would be lost if it was a fraudulent transaction. They don't need to be told about using the debit card as that would be MY money.

Interestingly, I noticed a new "Travel notifications" menu on Nationwide's internet banking...

TOP_CAT

Yes I heard similar from another person and if you read some of the very informative recent posts,they show nationwides direction is clear.
So just the last of the dead wood too thin out now.

Imagine having too read another 600 plus posts on the acceptance or lack of - overseas purchases at 0% loading and zero fee come the holiday season, using the nationwide credit card for overseas transactions.
I,m out.
Clarity and Metro,got one, so far.

Although, a few posts in the 600+ were very good on business practice and on target.
Reality is often late.

luci

choc_mouse wrote: »

Interestingly, I noticed a new "Travel notifications" menu on Nationwide's internet banking...

Well there's a turn up for the book. My card was blocked in May and the website continued to say you didn't need to tell them you were going abroad. I see this was just updated on 23 September so they have finally taken 4 months to change it. I was told it would be escalated at the time.

Our Special Investigations Department constantly monitor card use and spending patterns, especially those taking place internationally. You can notify us online up to 12 months in advance of your departure date with up to 10 different destinations. By advising us of your travel dates and destinations we can reduce the chance of your card being restricted should we detect unusual usage patterns.

However, if we identify specific transactions which we believe indicate fraudulent activity could be taking place on your account, we may place a temporary restriction on these transactions until we can confirm their validity.

This was another of my gripes with N/W. Not once did they try to contact me when they blocked the credit card, despite having my mobile number on record.

However they had called my HOME number days later, but didn't leave a message. It took ages to get into the CSA's thick skull that there was no point calling the HOME number to check if a transaction abroad was genuine or not if I was away on holiday.

Then I did get a call to my mobile a couple of weeks later asking me to confirm if a transaction made online A MONTH previously was genuine.

You couldn't make it up.

They weren't interested when I told them that Capital One had called me within 30 mins of making a large online transaction and yet it had taken them a month.

psdie

Been with them for ~25 years, since childhood. Never thought of switching, thanks to range of good USP benefits.

Then they dumped MS Money transaction download support this time last year, despite this being a service that previously set them apart from ANY UK competitor. A MAJOR USP for me - haven't bothered using any other current AC or creditcard due to convenience of this feature.

Now they're charging 2% + £1 for all overseas withdrawals - literally the last remaining USP they had.

Nationwide are now an also-ran. Their saving products are uncompetitive, they're increasing CHAPS and SWIFT charges, increasing cheque clearing time to 4 days from receipt. Their travel insurance offer (£80pa worth my !!!!- £14pa more like) pales in comparison with switch incentives and on-going rewards available elsewhere.

I am now giving serious consideration to ditching them for my personal and joint accounts, and have just sent an e-mail to family and friends warning of the change. Time to look at the switch offers, Nationwide clearly don't want our business.

Westin

so, all done.

Wrote to Nationwide to register my disappointment. I did in fairness get a phone call from a rather nice girl who suggested I just close my FlexAccount as that was the only thing they were changing and why not keep open my credit card account. She also said that she understood my disappointment and had been talking with lots of other concerned customers about the same thing (funny that?). Told her that I'd be happy to return it to either Mr Pilkington or Mr Rhodes and between them they could decide where to place it.

Nationwide credit card account now closed. I applied for a Halifax Clarity card, was accepted immediately and received it 8 days later.

Have opened a Metrobank Account (no charge on ATM withdrawals). All very easy and lovely staff at their Holborn branch. Already have the ATM card and a cheque book. Issued while I waited and during the 40 minutes I was at the branch opening the account.

Have started transfering money from my Flex Account to my new Metrobank Account. Will leave them with 50p as my contribution towards the postage on all the bank statements they can continue to send me for years to come on my soon to be dormant Flex Account.

Oh and left £101 in my savings account so I can vote at the next AGM against the current Board and still protect my "windfall" bonus when the Nationwide eventually gives up it's mutuality and becomes like most of the other banks....oh, sorry, they seem to have done that already...

adindas

Yes for individual person, annual multi trip EU insurance, people could easily top policy for under £20.00. you could easily find it using moneysupermarket.com.

I believe most of Brits do not need EU insurance as there is already EHIC available. I am aware that EHIC does not replace travel insurance, but why bother if it is only in the EU. What people need is Wordwide insurance.

ADINDAS

psdie wrote: »

Been with them for ~25 years, since
Their travel insurance offer (£80pa worth my !!!!- £14pa more like) .

Marksfish

Off subject, but in reply to adindas post above, yes the EHIC is very handy. Wife has gone to the doctors in Spain today, then been sent to the hospital with a scratched cornea. Doctors fees, treatment and pirate's patch all f.o.c. on production of the card (so long as it isn't a private practice/ hospital).

Mark

gt94sss2

adindas wrote: »

I believe most of Brits do not need EU insurance as there is already EHIC available. I am aware that EHIC does not replace travel insurance, but why bother if it is only in the EU. What people need is Wordwide insurance.

If travelling in the EU, you do need EU insurance, not just an EHIC.

An EHIC only provides you cover on the same basis as citizens of that country (with you paying the same fees) - and while that's fine for most cases, if the worst happens insurance will cover you to be airlifted back to the UK - unlike an EHIC.

You may want to read this and this.

Regards
Sunil