holiday abroad - card usage

MarcoM

Hi,

I have an hsbc debit card and barclaycard credit card.
I will be going on holiday abroad soon.
Do I need to notify both institutions about this or can I just use the chip and pin to pay for my hotel fees.

Any info would be appreciated thanks.

typistretired

Yes you need to inform your bank when you go abroad

typistretired

Sorry ignore my advice above HSBC need you to inform them but Barclays state when asked the question do I need to tell you I will be using my debit card abroad? - "Not anymore. Our fraud detection systems are constantly verifying transactions to ensure your security when you use your debit card abroad."

Myself personally would still ring both banks to inform them I am going on holiday abroad.

Hooloovoo

typistretired wrote: »

Yes you need to inform your bank when you go abroad

No, you don't.

It sometimes helps to tell them.

But certainly with Barclaycard at least, all they will say is "thank you, we've made a note on your file, but we still can't guarantee that we wont block your card causing you loads of hassle".

I don't bother telling them these days. It makes no difference. Luckily, I think I've now used my cards abroad often enough that it has formed part of my "normal usage" and so they tend not to get blocked.

typistretired

As someone who had their cards blocked in America I now always tell the banks when I am going abroad.

Hooloovoo

typistretired wrote: »

As someone who had their cards blocked in America I now always tell the banks when I am going abroad.

I've had my cards blocked all over the world. There was no correlation between times I told them and times I didn't. The key factor is ensuring you have multiple credit cards to last the whole trip as they gradually become blocked ...