Using cards abroad - to tell bank or not?

chriskross

I've read the various discussions here about whether it's best to alert card issuers about overseas use. Personally I've never had a problem (yet!). I let the PO know about a trip once, but not bothered since. Never told Nationwide. Told Santander the first time, who said I should let them know each time, but haven't bothered since without problem. Anyway, the thought occurred to me: I'm currently in France, and check my accounts every day. WOuld the fact that I access my accounts away from home, with no obvious illegal activitity, help convince the bank that my usage is legit?

adindas

Dear chriskross

It is better to tell them. It is also for our own sake for security purposes so they know that you yourselves are using tha card for purchases and wihthdrawal overseas. I have done that myselves

If you did not tell them it might happen your card get blocked when you really need them. I have read quite a few stories about this.


ADINDAS

chriskross wrote: »

I've read the various discussions here about whether it's best to alert card issuers about overseas use. Personally I've never had a problem (yet!). I let the PO know about a trip once, but not bothered since. Never told Nationwide. Told Santander the first time, who said I should let them know each time, but haven't bothered since without problem. Anyway, the thought occurred to me: I'm currently in France, and check my accounts every day. WOuld the fact that I access my accounts away from home, with no obvious illegal activitity, help convince the bank that my usage is legit?

chexum

Read the full story:
Going abroad? Avoid the blocked card holiday nightmare

adindas

To inform the bank that we are going abroad is also our best interest, not the Bank.

By doing this the bank will know that if there is a foreign withdrawal, it is the a/c hpolder are withdrawing the money and not other persons.

ADINDAS

chexum wrote: »

Read the full story:
Going abroad? Avoid the blocked card holiday nightmare

nickyhutch

Why would you not? What will it cost you to tell them?

knightfox

As the form says most banks like a little phone call. Otherwise it could be the man from the petrol stations friend, buying whatever they buy using our cards.

I have found that AMEX of course dont care where I am though.

bobblebob

If i plan to use my card only once abroad i never tell my bank (ive yet to have a card blocked with only 1 foreign transaction). However 3 years ago i went travelling for a few week around Europe so was using my card in different countries from day to day. I told my bank, my friend didnt. His card was blocked and mine wasnt

DCFC79

It makes sense to tell the bank your are going away and to what part of the world eg europe, america etc, had no problems,

Olipro

there is another way you can "inform" the bank, although it depends on what sort of systems they have.

While you are at the airport, use your card to purchase something or take out some cash from an ATM and you should then be unlikely to end up getting your card refused (although if it's a large purchase, it may well still trigger)

parallax_20

I went on holiday recently, and generally don't bother to tell banks that I am. But since discovering with Barclays/Barclaycard that you can notify them using the online account facility, theres no excuse for not doing it now. I just do it as part of my account monitoring whenever I log on. I wouldn't notify them otherwise unless I was already on the phone to them regarding another query.

noh

parallax_20 wrote: »

I went on holiday recently, and generally don't bother to tell banks that I am. But since discovering with Barclays/Barclaycard that you can notify them using the online account facility, theres no excuse for not doing it now. I just do it as part of my account monitoring whenever I log on. I wouldn't notify them otherwise unless I was already on the phone to them regarding another query.

Same with Nationwide.
There is now the facility to notify them online of your travel dates and destinations.