Looking for a bank account

[Deleted User]

I am looking for a bank account that has a card you can use abroad without incurring large charges......any suggestions?

Our main account is with Lloyds, my OH is a Scottish Widows pensioner so we get preferentail rates with them and it is our main account.

What I want to do is to open an account that I can pay into regularly to pay for a trip to Paris for OH's 80th birthday, want to be able to use the card to pay for things or to draw cash whilst we are there.

ses6jwg

If its for infrequent use you might be better off:

- Setting up a regular saver account for the 80th birthday. Barclays do an OK one paying 3.25% which allows withdrawals at any time.

- Sorting out some sort of credit card that allows "free usage" abroad. The Haliax Clarity Card is a popular option.

The N&P current account allows free use abroad

http://www.nandp.co.uk/current-account/

However you'll need to set up some sort of standing order system of £500 in and out to meet the criteria.

You will struggle to find a dedicated current account with free usage abroad that doesnt have some sort of funding criteria.

The final option is to look at some kind of pre-paid mastercard, I have a Fairfx item which is good.

opinions4u

Take a look at this link:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money

Last time I looked Norwich & Peterborough debit card and Halifax Clarity Credit Card were the best options.

With Halifax it's most effective used for purchases rather than cash, but still has no loading for a cash advance. Just interest from the day of withdrawal.

Also consider how much you're actually going to spend. Last time we went all inclusive we only spent €200 in two weeks. It was barely worth worrying about the bank costs.

If you are using cards abroad make sure you tell the card company before you go and take at least one backup.

[Deleted User]

We are only going for 4 nights ( A bit different to 2 weeks in the Isle of Wight where he had said he wanted to go) first class travel from Edinburgh all the way..........his choice. The card is for paying for meals out etc and anything ? expensive we might see. I will aslo take some euros with me for immediate needs but I do not like carrying large amounts of money.