FYI re using Nationwide CC abroad

SallyD

Debit card worked fine ATM in Crakow, 2 weeks ago but when tried to use card in a small shop had to sign and was rejected.

For the past week in Budapest no problems at all.

Rejected every time attempted to sign in USA six months ago but no problems using the ATM. Nationwide had no explanation.

Mhorag_Patrick

A word of warning when contemplating using the Nationwide CC for most of your spending abroad. I did just that in New York in the summer with no problems; and I only took a small amount of dollars for cash. But Germany, in the main, does not like Visa, which, of course, the NCC is. Have just returned from Dusseldorf, where I was informed on my first night in a restaurant that they would not accept credit cards. I checked with the Tourist Info the next day - they confirmed that this applies to most shops/restaurants in Germany, except the very large stores. But I also had my card refused in a very large dept store in Dusseldorf - they only wanted Mastercard or American Express! One retailer tried to explain that it was the costs passed onto the shop by credit card companies that prevented the smaller businesses taking up this payment option, but that explanation seems incredible, given these cards are now a universally (or so it seemed!) accepted method of payment. And it also does not explain, for those that would accept a credit card, the preference for Mastercard etc. I ended up having to withdraw cash and incurr the charges.

So, the moral of the story is, check in advance if the country you plan to visit will actually accept Visa cards, in addition to any chip/pin compatability issues.

Also, for both holidays, I advised Nationwide in advance of my travels, which they prefer; and I had no problems when I actually did use the card - there was no chip/pin requirement in either country, only a signature requested.

Donnie

The moral of the story is...... take two; http://www.audi.co.uk/audi/uk/en2/financial_services/audi_card.html or http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump1?catId=19400177&mediaId=34100665

Jake'sGran

Donnie wrote:

Interesting. Very cheeky. I wonder if that is the new policy of all of the Sol Melia hotels?

I think it must be as I have sent three emails so far asking for an explanation and they are ignoring me it seems. I have told them I would prefer not to have to write to the CEO. But, after advice on this thread I have also contacted Nationwide and hope to get something back. Got to have a rethink now about the way I pay for foreign holidays. I used to like Melia Sol as, if you gave notice before the day of arrival that you could not come they only deducted one day from your card - much simpler than the hazzle a person would have with Thomsons who would charge the whole amount.

trets77

hoorah for the post office for giving us a alternative CC for abroad use.

had missed they had started this since the headache that was getting my Nationwide CC.

just applyed online and instantly accepted without fuss, fantastic back up for overseas shopping and spending. If only First Direct would drop thier fee for debit card abroad i would be one happy traveller

i always ring up my CC provider before i travel to make sure my card will be cleared for my destination, it,s on my checklist right after i call my mobile phone company. had a american express card refused in america because i hadn,d bothered once , the CC provider said it was fraud prevention !!

tummy_tank

treacle wrote:

When I was in Oz last year I couldn't pay for anything using the usual chip and pin method. I rang Nationwide and they couldn't provide a reasonable explanation and assured me it should work. I worked out for myself that there must be an incompatible system in place. It was fine in the ATM's when withdrawing money but I was embarrassed in a number of shops when it was refused!!!!

I am concerned about this as i am off on a 6 week trip to Australia via Dubai and need to pay for some accomodation and car hire when i get there and hoped to pay on my nationwide visa and use my nationwide debit card for the cash withdrawals for smaller purchases. Not sure what to do now? Can anyone advise on recent experiences?

James

treacle wrote:

When I was in Oz last year I couldn't pay for anything using the usual chip and pin method. I rang Nationwide and they couldn't provide a reasonable explanation and assured me it should work. I worked out for myself that there must be an incompatible system in place. It was fine in the ATM's when withdrawing money but I was embarrassed in a number of shops when it was refused!!!!

The Chip & PIN people (APACS) want to know if you experience trouble using Chip & PIN.

Click here to let them know, but please let forum readers know too and the response (if one is forthcoming).

GlennTheBaker

blindman wrote:

Just a point about the PIN in the Rail ticket ATMS.

The one I used was in New Jersey (at the Secaucus junction) and I input my PIN OK.

In New York I couldn't use my UK credit card as the rail ATM (buying a Metro card) asks for a ZIP code as well as a PIN (prevent fraud I think) so I had to use cash.
There is usually a manned ticket booth at stations so I assume you could use your card there (usually a long queue....)

I'm off to Chicago tomorrow so if I get problems I'll let you know.

I've just got back from New York and didn't have a single problem with my Nationwide Credit or Debit cards. When buying a MetroCard at one of the machines in Penn Station, NYC I was asked for a ZIP code so I entered the one for my hotel and it was accepted no problem

pin

James wrote:

The Chip & PIN people (APACS) want to know if you experience trouble using Chip & PIN.

Click here to let them know, but please let forum readers know too and the response (if one is forthcoming).

However this would only be relevant to chip and pin problems in the UK rather than abroad, which is where the majority of people use their nationwide card.

"This information will be used by the chip and PIN (UK) Programme, at an aggregate level, to monitor and evaluate the progress of chip and PIN implementation in the UK. In addition to this, we may wish to contact you with chip and PIN relevant updates and information. If you do not wish to receive these in the future, please tick the box below"

Bennifred

Just back from the US (Monday) and used my Nationwide CC at all sorts of retailers including pay-at-pump gas stations with no bother at all. Some places asked to see photo ID in addition, but other than that, everything was very straightforward. I used my Nationwide Flex debit card for withdrawing cash. I did tell Nationwide the dates I would be away before I went. HTH.