Barclays - Using cards abroad

Javens

I've got a Barclays Debit Card and Barclaycard Credit Card. I'm going abroad in a few days, so phoned to let them know so that my cards aren't blocked, however they both said they cannot register my trip, and cannot stop my card from being blocked.

Is this right? I thought banks could now register your travel plans so that your cards are not blocked.

Has anyone had their Barclays debit/credit card blocked abroad? Is it a pain to unblock?

Thanks.

Archi_Bald

Using Barclays cards for spending abroad might not be your best option: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money

Though it is probably too late now if you leave in a few days time.

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

Javens wrote: »

I thought banks could now register your travel plans so that your cards are not blocked

Some do, some don't.

And as Archi Bald said, Barclays/Barclaycard is not the first choice for use abroad if the aim is to minimise charges.

eskbanker

Javens wrote: »

I've got a Barclays Debit Card and Barclaycard Credit Card. I'm going abroad in a few days, so phoned to let them know so that my cards aren't blocked, however they both said they cannot register my trip, and cannot stop my card from being blocked.

Is this right? I thought banks could now register your travel plans so that your cards are not blocked.

See http://ask.barclays.co.uk/help/online_banking/holiday_flag and http://help.barclaycard.co.uk/brochure/spending_transactions/going-on-holiday for answers to your questions.

In terms of what they told you on the phone, perhaps they may have been pointing out that they can't guarantee that there won't be any security checks made, just as they can't guarantee this when using the cards in the UK?

As to whether banks can now register travel plans, in my experience this is now becoming less commonplace than it used to be....

System

Their debit card ATM rates abroad are not fee free but have lower rates than most other banks assuming you use one of their partner banks.

Better than nothing.

Fruit_and_Nut_Case wrote: »

Some do, some don't.

And as Archi Bald said, Barclays/Barclaycard is not the first choice for use abroad if the aim is to minimise charges.