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

jackieblack

DaleN wrote: »

I always phone Post Office credit card to notify before travelling, and have never had any problem using the card abroad. I once asked the operator whether it was really necessary to phone first, and he said that it definitely was. Normally they say something along the lines of "ok that note has been added to your account", which would suggest that they are just putting a note on the account rather than changing any anti-fraud controls.

One of their operators once also mentioned that you should phone at least 24 hours before arriving in the foreign country, because their systems only get updated overnight. If you only phone them just before getting on the plane, and then use your card soon after arriving at the destination, it may be declined. (I don't know if this applies to other cards.)

Yes, I always ring them and have been told the same

I was just agreeing with Torbrex that it seems odd (and not very MSE) that some of the cards recommended as 'best' for use abroad haven't been included on the list :cool:

zagfles

cheesy*wotsit wrote: »

Every time I go abroad, I notify my bank (First Direct) before I go. This proved to be very helpful the last time, as I withdrew some of my holiday funds to change to currency, but the machine didn't give it me - and £500 had "debited" my account! :eek:

I rang First Direct and explained that I needed the money as I was going on holiday abroad in a couple of days. They said that it was usually a 31 day turnaround from them investigating to me possibly getting a refund, but because I'd already told them I was going away, they refunded straight away. No hassle and I love First Direct.

Their CS is excellent but there's no way I'm ever going to use my FD card abroad unless I'm desperate, they charge something like 4-5% in exchange rate markup and withdrawal fees last time I checked! It'd almost be cheaper to change cash on the high street!

Herbalus

zagfles wrote: »

Their CS is excellent but there's no way I'm ever going to use my FD card abroad unless I'm desperate, they charge something like 4-5% in exchange rate markup and withdrawal fees last time I checked! It'd almost be cheaper to change cash on the high street!

You mean 2%.

And as for the poster who objected to the lack of mention of MBNA - they charge 5% (a minimum of £5) for cash withdrawals, plus 2.99% fee, so if you're using that it's quite likely that, either you didn't know, or you've got more money than sense...

zagfles

Herbalus wrote: »

You mean 2%.

No I don't. I mean 4-5% like I said.

2.75% exchange rate "adjustment" plus 2% (minimum £1.75, maximum £5.00) cash withdrawal fee.

http://www1.firstdirect.com/1/2/tools-and-guides/using-your-debit-card-abroad

MancBrel

I use a Nationwide flex account card, and most of the time it just doesn't occur to me to ring ahead. Over the years I have, on occasion, been over cautious and notified them. Each time I've been told that I needn't have bothered.

hesperus_2

They can even decline you for shopping somewhere strange like London! I was declined twice whilst on a shopping trip to London. the first time i simply used a debit card instead, the second time the shop tried assuming I was a telephone customer isntead of a face to face customer. It worked.
I was also once declined from my debit card for having too little in my account! I was frankly furious and asked what the @/*@@! they were talking about. They never got back to me. At the time I had a cleared balance nearly ten times the sum I wanted to spend!
Not a very good opinion of banks these days.

tenuissent

My Santander credit card was accepted for a large hotel bill in Singapore (where I have been twice in my life) but rejected in France, just a hop over the Channel, a hop I repeatedly make. When I rang them, using their amazingly frustrating and lengthy system, they said I should ALWAYS tell them. I asked if there was any simpler way of informing them, and the answer was no. I may be out of date now because I have given up using it. I think that article should be re-researched and re-written. I tend to trust the useful information we receive here, so it is disconcerting to find it quite so inaccurate.

Gentoo365

I disagree with the article. It is always best to inform the bank even if their systems or processes are insufficient.

Firstly it means that if your card is blocked, or your account is flagged for fraud review there is a note of your situation. This not only helps the bank decide if it is likely to be fraud, but also helps confirm the situation if they are unable to contact you.

Secondly if there is a subsiquent complaint you can state that you did inform the bank and hence any failure to deal with the notification is due to their failures and not yours.

stephanieann

The MSE list says not to bother calling Santander. However, I regularly travel and almost always ring Santander to let them know. I have NEVER had a problem when I ring them, but on the rare occasions that I forgot to do so, my card was declined. Also whenever I ring Santander, I can actually hear them typing something and they confirm "this has been marked on your account". So I think you should change your list to say it's worth calling Santander.

jackieblack

stephanieann wrote: »

The MSE list says not to bother calling Santander. However, I regularly travel and almost always ring Santander to let them know. I have NEVER had a problem when I ring them, but on the rare occasions that I forgot to do so, my card was declined. Also whenever I ring Santander, I can actually hear them typing something and they confirm "this has been marked on your account". So I think you should change your list to say it's worth calling Santander.

Despite always ringing Santander we've still had problems on two separate trips
Our Santander cards are the only ones we've ever had any problem with.