Seeking Experiences of Using MetroBank Current Account Card Abroad (beyond Europe)

scoot65

I'm visisting London soon so...........
I'm thinking about opening a MetroBank account debit card in ordfer to get their current account card which is fee free transactions overseas.

I've previously used a Nationwide current account debit card without any major problems (occasionally I had to phone the UK to get them to unblock the card, but a quick phone call and it was sorted)

I'm seeking people's experience of using the MetroBank debit card abroad, particularly outside of Europe.
Any problems accessing cash from ATMs?
Any issues regarding phoning the UK to get any issues resolved?

PS. I'm not a frequent traveller, so would sticking with the Nationwide debit card be a better option as I know their customer services seem to be OK when enquiring from overseas?

Many thanks.

ColdIron

I am curious about this myself as I've opened an account for the same reason but haven't had a chance to try it yet. Metro Bank also do a credit card that is fee free for overseas transactions

Archi_Bald

Search the forum for some feedback from people who tried to use the card(s) in the US. I remember some mixed reports.

Herbalus

scoot65 wrote: »

PS. I'm not a frequent traveller, so would sticking with the Nationwide debit card be a better option as I know their customer services seem to be OK when enquiring from overseas?

It's always good sense to have a back-up card just in case you get blocked in the Peruvian mountains and there's no payphone. Or if a gorilla eats half your wallet

scoot65

Thanks for the replies!
Good point regarding a back-up card.
BTW, I intend to be using the card in the Philippines

grumbler

scoot65 wrote: »

PS. I'm not a frequent traveller, so would sticking with the Nationwide debit card be a better option as I know their customer services seem to be OK when enquiring from overseas?

My NW debit card was rejected by an ATM during my recent trip to Seychelles and NW CS were helpless (except advising to find another ATM). No problems with a spare 'card from hell' (Lloyds) in the same ATM.

Hazzanet

I've used the MB debit card in Spain quite a bit while I was over there, and online it's worked fine for merchants in Australia, New Zealand, Finland, Sweden, Germany and Japan.

Not had any problems thus far...

scoot65

Thanks for the replies!
Any more experiences using the MetroBank card wold wide?

[Deleted User]

Mine worked great for me in Mauritius and Ireland, without notifying them that I was going.

silvercar

Son used his in Thailand without a problem. He then lost it and had no problem contacting Metrobank to cancel it and freeze the account.

COIAHLGW

Archi_Bald wrote: »

Search the forum for some feedback from people who tried to use the card(s) in the US. I remember some mixed reports.

I wonder if it failed because people were erroneously selecting the "debit" option rather than the "credit" option at a US payment terminal. The "credit" option here just means that you want MasterCard to process the payment rather than an American debit POS network that your card would not belong to as it was UK based.

Off topic, but same with UK visa debit cards too, always select the "credit" option at a US terminal, and inform your bank of your overseas travels in advance to minimize card rejection!