Nationwide Select - changed for overseas?

Mosh

We're heading abroad shortly (to get married :j ) and I thought I had better check my Nationwide Select card that I've had for a while to make sure it's still fee-free for foreign transactions. While the details here say that it is (I have the relevant bank account), the Nationwide site itself is telling me that I have to "earn" commission-free purchasing by buying products in GBP first.

This is news to me. I've certainly never been informed of it.

I've dropped Nationwide a line (very hard for me to call them during business hours) so hopefully will get a response soon. If it turns out they've changed the conditions, I'll ditch the card and hope I can get a Halifax one within 10 days... The only reason I've kept the Nationwide card is for overseas use. I don't use it at all otherwise!

Gromitt

I just had the Nationwide Select advertisement drop through the door and it mentioned nothing in the small print about "earning" commission free purchasing abroad. It just takes about the later.

I very much doubt that you'll get a Halifax card within 10 days, as they have to send you an agreement to sign before they'll post the card out to you "within 7-10 days of receiving your signed agreement".

rock-on_2

I use mine overseas and don't get charged. They normally respond fairly quickly so they should confirm this but just make sure you notify them dates you will be away and where you are going that's all I do. Good exchange rate as well!!

Mosh

They've been great in the past, though I used to make *very* heavy use of the free cash withdrawals on the debit card. I was gutted when that bonus was taken away - it's the reason I moved to Nationwide in the first place!

The mail system says they'll respond within 2 days and I trust them a lot more than, say, Three - whose definition of "72 hours" seems to be "2-3 weeks, give or take, assuming we ever *do* email you back at all because, hey, you're stuck with us until your contract expires so what do we care?"

Mosh

Gromitt wrote: »

I very much doubt that you'll get a Halifax card within 10 days, as they have to send you an agreement to sign before they'll post the card out to you "within 7-10 days of receiving your signed agreement".

Poop. It's been a while since I applied for a credit card - I've stuck with my useful handful for some time now - so couldn't remember how long it normally took. Most annoying.

If I go to my Nationwide online account and click on the "Foreign Use" (or similar) link within the credit card section *for the card I have*, it takes me to:

http://www.nationwide.co.uk/creditcard/credit-card/offer-deals.htm#tab3

See "usage abroad" at the bottom.

AH! Just noticed. It links to the standard card - I have the Select, the information for which is elsewhere... and which states it's still free.

Funny how doing one thing helps you spot something else!