MSE News: Taking cards abroad: Should I tell my bank?

torbrex

jackieblack wrote: »

Post Office (also fee free for foreign purchases) isn't listed either.

We always use CC in the USA and have only ever had a problem with our Santander Zero cards (on two separate trips) despite telling them in advance.
We don't use our mobiles in the USA, so are not contactable. We always make sure we have back up cards in case of a problem.

I previously used the Nationwide Visa CC for spending in America with no problems and they didn't seem too bothered about it when I told them that I was going but they started charging for $ spending so that got binned.

Like you, I always take back-up cards, I just baulk at the though of the charges imposed if I need to use any of them :mad:

jackieblack

torbrex wrote: »

I previously used the Nationwide Visa CC for spending in America with no problems and they didn't seem too bothered about it when I told them that I was going but they started charging for $ spending so that got binned.

Like you, I always take back-up cards, I just baulk at the though of the charges imposed if I need to use any of them :mad:

We used to use Nationwide, when they started charging we got the Post Office card. Our others are also fee-free so no real problem if one gets stopped
We've still got the Nationwide card and still take it with us (just in case of some dire emergency) as (I believe) they still charge less than most others that are not fee free.

daveyjp

I would change your Santander advice. They blocked a credit card payment when we were on a cruise. Card blocked immediately as we didn't have precise details of the last few transactions to hand.

We called them before a recent trip abroad, they marked the account for 10 days and all payments went through and they advised us to call them everytime we go abroad.

richardw

I don't call them to tell them I'm going on holiday, it only reduces the risk. Have had my card blocked when I've told them.
So just have a back up.

joerid

daveyjp wrote: »

I would change your Santander advice. They blocked a credit card payment when we were on a cruise. Card blocked immediately as we didn't have precise details of the last few transactions to hand.

We called them before a recent trip abroad, they marked the account for 10 days and all payments went through and they advised us to call them everytime we go abroad.

Yes that was my point in my original post. I always ring Santander and they say I should. What is the rationale behind not phoning. No advantage is stated in the article.

tobiascurious

joerid wrote: »

Yes that was my point in my original post. I always ring Santander and they say I should. What is the rationale behind not phoning. No advantage is stated in the article.

The rationale behind not phoning some card issuers, according to the article, is that it makes no difference to whether the transaction will go through.

joerid

tobiascurious wrote: »

The rationale behind not phoning some card issuers, according to the article, is that it makes no difference to whether the transaction will go through.

Well that is my point. They are not saying anything bad can happen if you contact your issuer.

The worst that can happen is nothing! Might as well contact them then.

Pointless article:eek:

zagfles

torbrex wrote: »

I previously used the Nationwide Visa CC for spending in America with no problems and they didn't seem too bothered about it when I told them that I was going but they started charging for $ spending so that got binned.

Like you, I always take back-up cards, I just baulk at the though of the charges imposed if I need to use any of them :mad:

Depends what card, the Select card doesn't charge.

mrknobbly

I rang Lloyds today to check what charges I would incur using my Lloyds Debit card to buy Euros from a WebSite such as Fairfx. They told me they charge 2.95% which is the same as if I bought the currency abroad. I thought I read an article a while ago that banks such as Lloyds and HSBC agreed to scrap these charges by the end of 2012. So did thay scrap anything or is this charge purely aimed at webSite purchases?
With this charge it is just as cheap to use cash on the High Street even with lower exchange rates. Has anybody else come across this issue?

Roger1

Whatever, I still ring to advise I'll be travelling. As noted above, Nationwide have a clunky online system which works fine up to a point. Difficult in a couple of months when I'll be in Italy and the USA on the same trip.

A couple of years ago, my Nationwide card was rejected in the USA after having been used several times. They had no 24-hour operation back then, so I couldn't take any action - it was late afternoon on Arizona and the early hours in Swindon (or wherever). I checked when we got back, and apparently NW block after about 5 transactions on the same day.

MBNA offer a text solution, described in their online banking info.

I do take my Aqua card and use it to the (paltry) limit. It would be impolite not to use 3% discount on foreign spend with no currency surcharge. I mainly use my Halifax Clarity card for spend and 0% surcharge cash (@ approx 1% per month interest for cash it's a good deal). Both of these request advance advice of travel and i'm happy to conform.

I rarely use my personal AmEx abroad because of their 3%-ish surcharge. When I have used it without advising AmEx, the card was accepted.

Still waiting for ChattyChappy who has lots of experience. He must be away.