What's the best bank account for traveling and not getting blocked at ATMs?

BestBankForTravel

I am abroad in Israel and have been using my NatWest debit card with swiping at restaurants etc., but it seems it's been blocked (NatWest aren't sure.)

I needed cash for a taxi to go to the airport and tried to take out cash at several different ATMs at different banks and locations and they all failed. Also didn't work with my AMEX.

NatWest aren't sure what the problem is. It's a mess trying to sort it out. I need a different bank. I've been on the phone while abroad for much too long.

For the future, I'd like a card that won't get blocked abroad. What banks in the UK are good for this?

Note: I travel a lot and don't want to have to be logging in or calling my banks every week to tell them where I'm going. Even my own mother doesn't know that

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

How serendipitous that your username almost matches your question.

BestBankForTravel

Yeah, as intended

meer53

Your mother doesn't need to know where you travel, your bank does. Otherwise your card will continue to be blocked.

dj1471

I've found that card acceptance can be very hit and miss in some countries, especially outside of Europe. With two credit cards and a debit card (Visa and Mastercard) I've found that some ATMs accept my first choice of card, some accept none of them, some give different results each time (always using ATMs with the right logos). On one occasion I found that no card was accepted by any ATM, presumably a wider issue with the link back to the UK (working again when I tried later in the day).

So really you need to have a selection of cards to give you a good chance of one being accepted. Amex is the least-accepted so not a good choice.

In terms of the best single card to use, that's the Halifax Clarity credit card which doesn't charge anything for ATM withdrawals (except interest, which will be less than the fees other cards charge if you pay it off promptly) and mine has never been blocked when used around the world (have never informed Halifax before travelling). You also get purchase protection under S75 which you don't get with a debit card.

mgdavid

May or may not be of any help - I've been with Barclays since 1967, have travelled worldwide for work and pleasure, have never had any debit or credit card blocked.
About 3 years ago, on my 3rd visit to Australia, I had a text message from Barcs requesting me to call a number; I had to verify a transaction from the night before, once I had confirmed it and said I was out there it was all OK. So just the one random issue.

agrinnall

BestBankForTravel wrote: »

Note: I travel a lot and don't want to have to be logging in or calling my banks every week to tell them where I'm going.

If you can't be bothered to spend a couple of minutes doing this then expect to find your card, whoever issues it, blocked on many occasions. Unexpected use in different countries in a short period of time is bound to trigger alarms at the card issuer, and if you haven't told them where you will be they will block the card for both your and their protection.

mgdavid

agrinnall wrote: »

.......if you haven't told them where you will be they will block the card for both your and their protection.

no; they *may* block the card, not will, see my last post that crossed with yours.

l_cru

I previously had endless problems with cards being blocked while travelling. The countless calls overseas soon racked up some bills and I was fed up. That was until one day I was un-blocking my RBS debit card where one helpful member of staff said that I could fill in travelling dates & countries online through my online banking. An option I didn't even know existed. In this last year I've now traveled parts of Asia and Europe with no difficulties.

I also travel with 2 Caxton FX visa currency cards; a euro and dollar card. I find I save a lot on exchange rates and bank charges. Also as these are visa they are widely accepted and due to the nature of them being specifically for travelers rarely blocked.

stclair

Should you have any issues with your debit card abroad you can call (0044) 125 230 8047.

You can also reverse the charges on calls from abroad through the international operator when calling from a landline.