MSE News: Should you call your bank before going abroad?

AlexMac

I like the fact that Bank Komputr monitors my spending; 2 case studies:-

- Stepson's card was frozen after a series of cash withdrawals in Las Vegas; bleddy useful, as although he's normally a responsible and successful gambler (the odd tenner on the gee-gees), he was actually in Vegas and just starting to blow his dough on the one-armed bandits

- Barclaycard rang me after detecting untypical online purchase attempts... luckily I mentioned this to 'er indoors... because although they blocked the £750, £500, and £150 fraudulent attempts made in quick succession... the one transaction for £75 which slipped through and which appeared on my credit card bill, which I ask her to check...

was from the " Triangle Lingerie Company of New Jersey". Could have been embarassing! Or a marriage breaker

ic

I just wish more were like Nationwide and allowed you to notify them online. Calling Santander is a real ball-ache - go through the automated system entering card details, date of birth, passwords, spin past the options to hear my balance and speak to somebody, who then asks for all the same card details again. They always insist on telling me about the benefits of my zero card when used abroad (which I know well, they're the only reason I have the card which I've had for about five years now). They can also only record one holiday at a time. My next four are booked, so I'll need to call four times...

groan.

/edit Just looked at the Nationwide credit card offering and they actually offer credit cards for current account holders that give cashback in the UK and commission free purchases abroad. My dream come true!

Anymou5

Barclaycard definately. Don't be fooled by the "As a Platinum Card holder your card is authorised for use abroad" rubbish. I was and had to call them from a hotel in Florida to sort it. Then faced with a £60-odd charge for the 5 minute phone call 2 months later. (They paid up but it's still wasted time for me). Don't forget - Time is Money. That's why the checkout queues at Aldi are always at max before they open another...........

DaleN

I'm surprised that Post Office credit card isn't listed in the table, seeing that it is one of the few cards recommended for overseas spending because of no exchange loading. For the record, they also like to be phoned in advance, and I've never had a problem when having done so. I was once told I should phone the day before departure because their systems are only updated overnight.

Quick route through Post Office CC phone menus:
1, <CC number>, <security digits>, 4, *.

System

I sent a secure message on Santanders banking website and got reply they put note on account.

harz99

Roger1 wrote: »

Yes, that's what they told me last time I called to tell them I was going away.


Er, phone them?:rotfl:

Of course phone them!


The poster I quoted is registered as a newbie, rather than jump on them for the tone of their post (the article does not specify Europe only so the listing is not incorrect), which IS incorrect for those of us travelling further afield, I hoped I might gently nudge them to realise that.

HoofeHearted

I tried to top-up my PAYG mobile, whilst in Thailand with my M&S CC. It did not work. I then used my Saga CC, which worked ok. Seems that M&S blocked my "UK transaction" because I had told them I would be in Thailand. They rang my home phone to query it with me.

"Damned it you do; damned if you don't"

peachyprice

Mojisola wrote: »

Barclaycard is listed as "No" but I've had trouble twice and that was only in other parts of the UK!

Agree, Barclaycard is definitley not a 'no', I had mine blocked in Switzerland, was told it was my own fault for not telling them I was going to be using it abroad.

Roger1

ic wrote: »

Calling Santander is a real ball-ache ...

I agree. I failed their odd security questionnaire because I couldn't give them my credit limit. My estimate was wrong (but not far off).

'It's on your statement'. Perhaps, but I quickly recycle 3 pages of the minimum 4-page statement retaining only the transaction details so didn't have a 4-page statement to consult.

I've memorised it now, but it's the card I'm least likely to take. Nationwide is so user friendly. And my Aqua card - where's that on the list? - now has a significantly increased limit, offering me 0.5% back on my surcharge-free foreign spend.

boots_babe

jackieblack wrote: »

So if they don't need to know, why is there a facility on Nationwide's website to advise them of dates and destination for travel abroad?

I wasn't aware of the online facility, but if there is one then yes, that is indeed a very good question!!

Nationwide is my primary cash withdrawal card, so it's one of the 2 main ones I'd ideally like to notify about travel abroad. My most recent trip was only 2 weeks ago, and again when I rang them they trotted out the 'use your card at the airport so we'll know' line

I'll look up the online page you've mentioned and give that a try next time.

I should say though, I've never had my Nationwide card blocked or questioned when abroad thankfully.