Increasing credit limit

lostandconfused2

I got a Nationwide Select credit card in March as I've banked with them for years and wanted to take advantage of free use abroad as we're going to the USA in October. As it's my first credit card, I thought it would also be good to build a credit history so I've been making purchases and paying off in full every month. I was planning to ask for an increase in limit as I think we'll spend quite a bit when we're out there (we've saved up and would again pay in full) but was just a bit worried about doing so as I've not had the card long. Also wasn't sure if they would credit check me again. Any advice would be great. Thanks

brendon

I think increases are generally considered only after 6 months. You could perhaps pay your card halfway through your holiday to remain well within your credit limit (or pay it multiple times, depending on your limit).

lostandconfused2

Thanks for the quick reply.

I thought there might be a timescale involved but thanks for the suggestion about paying the bill early as I hadn't actually thought about that.

jonesMUFCforever

OP I would also recommend that you apply for at least one more card before you go.
What would happen should your Nationwide card be lost or stop working? Take as many alternatives as possible - have a great holiday.

chattychappy

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

OP I would also recommend that you apply for at least one more card before you go.
What would happen should your Nationwide card be lost or stop working? Take as many alternatives as possible - have a great holiday.

Agree totally. Suggest Post Office Mastercard or Halifax Clarity.

Even paying 3% on a typical loaded card could be trivial compared with the cost and hassle of emergency phone calls, money transfers etc.

Yolina

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

OP I would also recommend that you apply for at least one more card before you go.
What would happen should your Nationwide card be lost or stop working? Take as many alternatives as possible - have a great holiday.

^^^ that ^^^

Also if your existing card uses MasterCard then try to go for an alternative that uses Visa (just in case there are issues with one payment system)

cos_2

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

OP I would also recommend that you apply for at least one more card before you go.
What would happen should your Nationwide card be lost or stop working? Take as many alternatives as possible - have a great holiday.

Look up their international phone number and keep it with your passport. You should be able to get your card working again immediately with a phone call.

If you want a back up card that will definitely work then get a Barclaycard. They don't give a jot about you moving around the world And the Barclaycard cashback card will let you take out cash with just a 2.99% fee and allow you up to 56 days to pay back without interest.

eta - I meant to say this will work out cheaper than using any debit card. Debit cards are always very expensive in the USA.

chattychappy

Agree about Barclaycard being relatively good for cash. Also £500 is not a bad daily limit (at least that's what I get). But I have had it blocked - even in the UK. Don't think I've ever had a card that's never been blocked. I do travel alot and most of my spend is foreign. Nationwide Gold (then Select) has probably been the best for reliability.

For cash, I'm always amazed at how much I can "get away with" on Santander Zero. Often equivalent of £300 a day for 3 or 4 days on the trot in Asia.

inmypocketnottheirs

cos wrote: »

eta - I meant to say this will work out cheaper than using any debit card. Debit cards are always very expensive in the USA.

Have a look at Metro Bank for their fee free debit MasterCard. You get the MasterCard spot rate without any load.

I've just returned from the US and Canada and used the Metro Bank card for debit card payments.

Also worth looking at the Aqua reward card. Again no fees, no load and 3% cash back.

lostandconfused2

Thanks for all the suggestions.

We usually do a cheap all inclusive week so spending abroad has never been much of an issue. Will definitely look at Metro Bank as all my cards are Visa and maybe something else as well. I've got a couple of other debit cards in case of emergency but would rather avoid the fees if possible!

jonesMUFCforever

cos wrote: »

Look up their international phone number and keep it with your passport. You should be able to get your card working again immediately with a phone call.

If you want a back up card that will definitely work then get a Barclaycard. They don't give a jot about you moving around the world And the Barclaycard cashback card will let you take out cash with just a 2.99% fee and allow you up to 56 days to pay back without interest.

eta - I meant to say this will work out cheaper than using any debit card. Debit cards are always very expensive in the USA.

Not if it is lost or stolen or retained in an ATM.:D