Gaining access to online banking while abroad

joshly

I plan on going to South Africa for a few months and will be using my Halifax Visa to purchase the flight ticket and a few other things

I usually pay off my credit card bill in full every month and do this online, transferring the money from my current account to Halifax Visa.

Will I be able to gain access to my online bank account while I am in SA and make the payment to Halifax visa as usual?

itsanne

If you set up a direct debit to pay in full there won't be any problem. (Make sure you check the first one goes through - your statement should say it will be paid by direct debit.)

opinions4u

Do they do the interwebs in South Africa?

If so, you'll be fine.

joshly

Yes they have t'internet there, just wondering if activity from a foreign country would raise alarm bells and for the bank to block online access to the account.

chattychappy

Never been to South Africa and don't have a Halifax account.

But never had any problems accessing a range of accounts from the US, Europe, SE Asia and the Far East. Only card usage has triggered issues (usually a block), not online access.

Sitting in Germany now, just been through all my accounts.

In some places internet can be slower when trying to reach the UK. Also websites typically have their maintenance down time during the night in the UK which can catch you out when in different time zones (not really an issue in South Africa I suppose).

I spend alot of time abroad and survive perfectly well without DDs.

I prefer to use my own laptop, but am happy to use public WiFi.

Battleaxe44

I don't do DD's but I do do internet banking from overseas and have done so for the last 10 years, I just transfer money from account to whichever creditor it is, all done on line.

I would assume you are going to let your bank know you are going overseas, so they don't block your account.

jonathon

I have been on my Halifax account in New York Bangkok Eygpt Turkey Malta never had a problem

joshly

Many thanks for the answers.
Great to hear your experiences of online banking from around the world.

Yes I am going into my bank to let them know I will be in SA.

chattychappy

Battleaxe44 wrote: »

I would assume you are going to let your bank know you are going overseas, so they don't block your account.

By "block your account" I assume you mean stop cards from working.

joshly wrote: »

Yes I am going into my bank to let them know I will be in SA.

Unfortunately in my experience it makes little difference whether you let a bank know in advance of your travel plans. It won't do any harm though.

Having backups is the best way. Since I need to use my debit card in a card reader to access my online account and it access MY money, I NEVER use my debit card overseas. In fact I rarely use it when I'm back in the UK. I use CCs to draw cash (Santander Zero mainly). Remember if a debit card gets stolen/lost/swallowed or otherwise compromised whilst abroad, it can be a major headache to sort out and have serious knock-on effects.

Roger1

chattychappy wrote: »

I prefer to use my own laptop, but am happy to use public WiFi.

Me too, as I can rely on my own security when using my laptop.

I wouldn't do online banking using internet cafes' computers, though.

In South Africa,I usually use a dongle with a local SIM card - in my case from Vodacom but others are available.

joshly

Fantastic and helpful information, thank-you.

I will not be taking a debit card with me. Iwill take cash and a UK credit card for emergencies.

I do have a SA resident friend and she will help me to open a current account there which issues a credit card.

Apparently cheques are hardly used there, so it's cash or credit cards.

I wont be doing any online banking in internet cafes as I have a laptop.
Thanks for the tip regarding the Vodacom dongle with a local SIM card. That will do for my first trip and I can look into another option if I can stay there permanently.