Nationwide flex plus in USA

marco_79

Hi Folks,

Heading to Orlando in July for two weeks with the family and would like to check my plan for spends with some of you experienced folk on here.

1. Plan on taking $500 in cash.
2. Nationwide flex plus select credit card for any purchases or restaurant bills.
3. Nationwide flex plus debit card for withdrawing extra cash at the ATMs.

Bit of a change for us as we normally just take all cash and split it into 14 days and have £x to spend each day. We then generally get more to spend each day due to underspending on early days on the holiday. Any tips on budgeting when using the plan above?

Thanks,

Marco

zagfles

Yes the FlexPlus debit is fee free for ATMs but not for purchases, and the select card is fee free for purchases but not ATMs, so don't mix them up!

Unless you have the $ cash already why bother to change any - just withdraw from ATMs once there. US ATMs usually charge but it'll still be cheaper than changing cash here, assuming you get a reasonable amount out each time eg $200+

duggo1

I would recommend letting nationwide know you are going to USA. We have used our cards worldwide without a problem until we got to the USA - good job we were there with my sister who had to loan us cash, as we couldn't withdraw any at the ATM.

zagfles

duggo1 wrote: »

I would recommend letting nationwide know you are going to USA. We have used our cards worldwide without a problem until we got to the USA - good job we were there with my sister who had to loan us cash, as we couldn't withdraw any at the ATM.

Yes you can tell Nationwide online on the internet bank - though you have to do it for both cards individually. It's an idea to have a backup card as well, eg Halifax Clarity.

Archergirl

We also went to the USA with our Nationwide cards, we had a BIG problem with our credit card so make sure you have a backup credit card just incase they block yours while you are there as they did with ours.
Yes we did tell them we were going.....

marco_79

Thanks - we have a post office credit card as a back up. Will inform nationwide before we go. Hope there will not be a problem with our debit card.

headpin

I've used my Nationwide CC in the YS on numerous occasions without any problems, but always made sure told them before travelling

greenorange

Just to mention I used my FlexPlus Debit Card in a few places in the USA a few months ago. I never had any problems, even when withdrawing cash at a sketchy ATM on Venice Beach.

Bank of America will charge you $3 to withdraw cash, so try and use other major bank ATMs if possible (Chase/TD are cheaper). Enjoy your trip.

photome

marco_79 wrote: »

Thanks - we have a post office credit card as a back up. Will inform nationwide before we go. Hope there will not be a problem with our debit card.

Also inform the PO CC, the last twice I have informed PO that I will be in the USA and they have still blocked it, but my wifes on the same account was not blocked...

John259

If you're going to be renting a car, make sure the credit card is acceptable to the car hire company. They accept Visa and Mastercard but maybe not others.