Do any banks offer Debit Cards that won't charge you a 'foreign transaction fee'?

tppjf

I recently purchased a smartphone and started buying several apps on-line for my new toy, which I bought using a Lloyds TSB Debit Card. Then I received my bank statement yesterday and notice that Lloyds TSB have been charging me £1 each and every single time I purchase an app from a software developer outside the UK. I've already racked up £14 worth of these charges and there's another 20 plus apps I would like to buy.

Given that most of the apps I bought were themselves less than a £1 this is really annoying. But having checked on-line it appears that banks have now broadened their definition of what constitutes a 'foreign transaction' so even though I'm purchasing the item from within the UK, I still get charged for these transactions.

I know Nationwide were once famous for not charging these fees but it also appears that they too now charge 'foreign transaction fees'.

So my question is basically this - can anybody suggest or recommend a card (debit or credit) or some other method that could be used to purchase apps on-line that wouldn't incur such charges?

Thank you.

dzug1

A foreign transaction is a transaction in a foreign currency, regardless of where it takes place.

At the top of this page there is a travel and motoring button. The page it takes you to has comprehensive advice on several credit/debit cards that wouldn't charge such a fee.

hunsbury0

I use Halifax Clarity CREDIT card. Check it out. This credit card is cheaper than most DEBIT cards.

bubieyehyeh

Metrobank and Norwich & Peterborough building society do cards similar to what nationwide used to have.

dresdendave

dzug1 wrote: »

A foreign transaction is a transaction in a foreign currency, regardless of where it takes place.

Apolgies for moving away from the OP's actual question, but based on the above, would that also mean a transaction in Sterling would not be classed as a foreign transaction even if it took place outside the UK? I'm referring to countries such as Gibraltar or the Falklands which use the pound as their currency.

td_007

dresdendave wrote: »

Apolgies for moving away from the OP's actual question, but based on the above, would that also mean a transaction in Sterling would not be classed as a foreign transaction even if it took place outside the UK? I'm referring to countries such as Gibraltar or the Falklands which use the pound as their currency.

Check your respective card. Natwest for example will charge if you use its debit card to withdraw cash in Gibraltar or Isle of Man: http://www.natwest.com/personal/current-accounts/g4/cards/abroad.ashx

dzug1

dresdendave wrote: »

Apolgies for moving away from the OP's actual question, but based on the above, would that also mean a transaction in Sterling would not be classed as a foreign transaction even if it took place outside the UK? I'm referring to countries such as Gibraltar or the Falklands which use the pound as their currency.

Depends on the card - I wasm't charged for using my Nationwide card in the Isle of Man, but from the post above it looks as though Natwest do

mcolqu

Try the Post Office Mastercard. (postoffice.co.uk). They do not charge any transaction fee for using the card overseas. The exchange rate will be whatever the commercial rate is on the day for that currency. For example if you are in Spain and pay for a meal in a restaurant and it costs €100 and say the rate is €1.10 to the £, then you will be charged £90.91 on your credit card and no transaction fee. I am not sure if they charge a fee for withdrawing currency out from an ATM when overseas. That is worth checking.