Which is better for foreign: Nationwide/Amex?

Floop1977

Hi,

I have had a Nationwide credit card (for purchases) and debit card (for cash), however I only set them up and used them for foreign use when abroad, as those cards were once the best for foreign use to minimise charges.

However I think Nationwide isn't such a good deal any more, and I get 1.5% cashback on Amex, so even though the Amex rate+charges might be steeper, I get 1.5% cashback so it should even it out.

This is, however, a gut feeling! I cannot pull together the relevant data to work out whether I'm right, and wondered if anyone else knew!

Thanks.

grumbler

NW debit charges 2% now for conversion +£1 for ATMs (unless it's FlexPlus).
NW credit charges the same 2% unless it's 'Select'.

Amex generally charges 2.99% but 2.99%-1.5% is marginally better than 2%.

All the data can be found in MSE article Your Card: Overseas Charges, but it's worth checking it directly to make sure.

pvt

Depends what you mean by "foreign". If it's the US & Canada then AmEx is well accepted, but if Europe then AmEx will be about as welcome as a Greek Government bond.

I have just been in the Eurozone and using a SAGA Visa Platinum card I got 1.42 with no additional charges or loadings.

I have an AmEx card and rarely use it abroad, the 1.5% cashback is poor value against AmEx's forex loading charges.

keiran

There's only one way to find out........


FIGHT !!!!!!!!

alderpoint

Different Nationwide cards have different rules. Some charge nothing, some charge 1% outside the EU, some charge 2% everywhere. And with some it depends on how much you've spent of sterling transactions.

Check here to see exactly what applies to your Nationwide card.