FYI re using Nationwide CC abroad

GlennTheBaker

I forgot to mention in my previous post that I also advised Nationwide of my dates of travel and my destination.

pin

Just got off the phone with Nationwide re this issue and asking about a chip and signature card.

Its been the view that Nationwide will only offer chip and sig cards if you are disbaled, blind etc. However I was told they don't really have a specific criteria.

However I was also told that there may be a chance I could have inverse problems with a chip and sig card. I.e. places would not accept it because it required signature, rather than a pin. Then add in the language barrier and one has a whole raft of problems. I am probably looking at getting a Post Office card instead of using my NW card.

LesD

pin wrote:

I am probably looking at getting a Post Office card instead of using my NW card.

...and why would the PO card be any less likely to have these problems?

One difficulty with these sort of discussions is that they contain 'information', 'disinformation' and 'misinformation'.

Over the years I've had cards declined for no apparent reason in many countries - UK included. One answer we found, as mentioned earlier, was to phone the card issuer(s), before going, to say transactions from that country would be OK.

In Spain, in particular, C&P seems to have been developing rapidly over the past couple of years. In areas frequented by Brits, I've noticed an increase in awareness in stores. In Carrefour, for example, we used to have to go to the customer services to use our C&P card. Now they take it at the checkouts.

As posted often in this forum, however, it's not sensible to rely on any single method of payment - particularly abroad.

pin

LesD wrote:

...and why would the PO card be any less likely to have these problems?

One difficulty with these sort of discussions is that they contain 'information', 'disinformation' and 'misinformation'.

Over the years I've had cards declined for no apparent reason in many countries - UK included. One answer we found, as mentioned earlier, was to phone the card issuer(s), before going, to say transactions from that country would be OK.

In Spain, in particular, C&P seems to have been developing rapidly over the past couple of years. In areas frequented by Brits, I've noticed an increase in awareness in stores. In Carrefour, for example, we used to have to go to the customer services to use our C&P card. Now they take it at the checkouts.

As posted often in this forum, however, it's not sensible to rely on any single method of payment - particularly abroad.

I'm more than aware of how to deal with money spending abroad, if you read my previous posts, not just on this thread but on other threads as well.

The Nationwide issue is a pretty special one, and its already been stated on this thread. The Nationwide credit card is a very popular card to use abroad, because of its policy of no foreign loading, hence many many people use this card when they go abroad.

Nationwide have introduced a policy that in a country where chip and pin ("CnP") and there is a CnP terminal, CnP must be used. Now many countries have introduced CnP and the terminals are there, but in many cases the staff have not been trained and they still think a signature is required. If CnP is not used when it can, the card is rejected. Three rejections and the card is locked, meaning the card pin must be reset.

Now with other card providers, like Post Office and Audi (the other cards that don't offer foreign loading) this does not happen, meaning that if there is a CnP terminal, but the staff get a signature, you're card won't be rejected.

moonrakerz

Just got back from Florida with our NatWide cards. The only slight problem was with some gas stations, if you used your card at the pump it sometimes asked for a Zip Code, if that happened we took the card into the shop and pre-authorised the fill up.
All the shops etc, we just signed for everything and had no problems - except for spending too much !

Kevoh

I have a decision to make as to what CC to apply for to use abroad. At first I had settled on the Nationwide CC since it had 9 months interest free for purchases. But then I saw this post.

Every 12 months I always apply for a new CC with an interest free period, at the end of which, I pay off all the debt and cancel the card. I have two other CCs for everyday use and I've never paid any interest in 4 yrs. This time I'll cancel one of the others and keep the new one for daily use because it has commission free use abroad.

My question is to all is, do you use your Nationwide card in the UK too?

When replying please indicate if you are having trouble using it abroad or not. Thanks

GlennTheBaker

The only time I really use my Nationwide card in the UK is when purchasing an item which is eligible for the free 12 months extra warranty.

I haven't encountered a single problem using my card in the USA or Europe.

James

Used my Nationwide Chip & Signature Cards - No problem in the Canaries.

Kevoh

Thanks Glenn and James. I want to determine if Nationwide have introduced a secret policy of siffing those who use their cards abroad only. Although from the posts, it seems that getting your card declined seems more like hit and miss.

I've a week left to decide which one to apply for. PO or Natiowide card

pin

Kevoh wrote:

Thanks Glenn and James. I want to determine if Nationwide have introduced a secret policy of siffing those who use their cards abroad only. Although from the posts, it seems that getting your card declined seems more like hit and miss.

I've a week left to decide which one to apply for. PO or Natiowide card

Don't forget the Audi credit card as well.