Telling your bank/credit card co. that your are travelling abroad...

david39

I ring Mint and MBNA and they always re-act efficiently, as though it is normal practice for their customers to do this.

However, when I rang LloydsTSB a few years ago, they said it wasn't necessary as their security system took all the necessary steps to protect their cards and customers when abroad. They didn't tell me what these were but I've used both LTSB debit and credit cards abroad on many occasions and they have never been queried or blocked.

The_Road_Warrior

Barclaycard's words on my 'Your Settings' page:

You can travel in confidence knowing your card is accepted worldwide. If we spot anything unusual on your account while you're away, we may try to contact you on your mobile.

...for that reason I keep my mobile with me and switched on before any transactions

victor2

My OH has had her card declined while the other side of the world. Also, I received a call in the UK from the card issuer one time when she had tried to use a joint card (with me as the main holder) overseas. They asked me if there could be a transaction in the country she was visiting. Tempting as it was to say no, I confirmed she was there!
Now we always inform the card companies in advance of the dates and destinations when we are going abroad, and haven't had any problems.

The_Road_Warrior

I used my Barclaycard in Feurteventura with no issues.

Also used my HSBC Debit Card in Lanzarote with no issues.

Are the reported 'declines' in reality due to a lack of funds, I wonder?

Bob_the_Saver

The_Road_Warrior wrote: »

Barclaycard's words on my 'Your Settings' page:



...for that reason I keep my mobile with me and switched on before any transactions

Which in say India might cost you £2 a min roaming charges for a 6-7 min call!!!
Had an issue with Natwest a few years ago, totally their fault and in the end the paid me back my roaming fees but if I'd not had other cards would have p*ssed me off big time.

Bob_the_Saver

Mr_Wang wrote: »

I hear you re Fair FX, but then I rarely have more than about £1000 on it at any one time. In my Natwest current account I have substantially more and so the extra protection is reassuring.

I personally have been scammed about 5 or 6 times whilst away. Every single time it's been using an ATM that has completed the transaction and then not dished out any money.
All but one I have received the money back through my bank about 30 days later.

One of these was at Kathmandu airport, on arrival, before you get your visa. I phoned the bank and it is flagged as being a scam and regularly scams travellers.

I tend to keep less on than that but we have many cards, the last scam followed just two transactions in the previous 3 months on that card,
1 Transaction was with IRCTC (which will mean something to Mr Wang) and the other was with a bunch of flower delivery outfit in the UK.
By the time we got to Guangzhou once we had 5 cards blocked and then they had their underwater communication cables severed for a few day. No ATM's, no
western internet to speak of, had to fall back on those dollars tucked down our socks.

busiscoming2

I have never told the banks we are abroad and use them without problems (so far) whilst away. They are Lloyds, Nationwide and Tesco cards.

victor2

Given that my OH has had a transaction declined in the Far East, when the value was small and card was well below its credit limit, we consider it worth a phone call before you depart to let the card company(ies) know.
Did hesitate once wondering if we really wanted to advertise to the card company that our house would be empty for a few weeks, but decided to let them know anyway. You've already bought tickets, so if somebody wanted to sell that information on, that's probably a higher risk.

Bob_the_Saver

The_Road_Warrior wrote: »

I used my Barclaycard in Feurteventura with no issues.

Also used my HSBC Debit Card in Lanzarote with no issues.

Are the reported 'declines' in reality due to a lack of funds, I wonder?

Nope, cards paid off in full every month.

blindman

Seagull27 wrote: »

Hi all

She said this is true of all debit and credit cards from all banks....

I wondered firstly if someone can confirm that this is the case.

It is with Santander CC

Secondly though, I thought I'd post this to make other people aware (unless I'm the only person who didn't know it!!!).

I've been doing this for years :cool:
Max

Only seems that Santander block cards though as Nationwide say they don't want to know about overseas use.

N&P do take note IIRC.

Oh and Santander WILL block an additional cardholders CC even when you (as the main account holder) have told them you are going overseas.

I always tell the banks and always take a couple of backpu options (CC's debit cards etc).