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Drawing cash abroad

Is nationwide still the best account for drawing cash when abroad. Which card if not wanting to carry large amounts of cash? Is a debit card better than a credit card?

Hopefully big holiday to France next year, want to sort out an account now to start putting cash away in.
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Comments

  • grumbler
    grumbler Posts: 58,629 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 16 February 2017 at 10:39AM
    Is nationwide still the best account for drawing cash when abroad.
    No
    Is a debit card better than a credit card?
    Generally, no.
    Hopefully big holiday to France next year, want to sort out an account now to start putting cash away in.
    MSE: Travel Credit Cards Get one for one of the cheapest ways to spend abroad
    I have no idea why MSE say 'Credit Cards' in the title as the article is about all types of card.

    ETA: see also Cheapest prepaid travel cards

  • mt99
    mt99 Posts: 472 Forumite
    The Halifax Clarity credit card is very good abroad if you use it to withdraw cash you just get charged the Interchange fee with no extra cost

    You will be liable for interest of course but you can pay the balance off straight away I do this for using banking app
  • eDicky
    eDicky Posts: 6,835 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    If you can get to a branch of Metro Bank in SE England to open an account the debit card they give you on the spot is ideal for Europe.
    Evolution, not revolution
  • Nationwide FlexPlus account gives free cash withdrawals in Europe. £10 monthly fee, but pays 3% interest on up to £2500, Breakdown Cover and Travel Insurance, plus other insurance benefits. Works for me, but depends on if you drive a car and need the cover, travel abroad regularly and have money to benefit from the 3% interest.
  • datlex
    datlex Posts: 2,252 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Did you not see Martin's recent program on with drawing money abroad? Always withdraw in the local currency. Fees are a different matter.
    Paid off the last of my unsecured debts in 2016. Then saved up and bought a property. Current aim is to pay off my mortgage as early as possible. Currently over paying every month. Mortgage due to be paid off in 2036 hoping to get it paid off much earlier. Set up my own bespoke spreadsheet to manage my money.
  • agrinnall
    agrinnall Posts: 23,344 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    datlex wrote: »
    Did you not see Martin's recent program on with drawing money abroad? Always withdraw in the local currency. Fees are a different matter.

    You're answering a question that wasn't asked, and is largely irrelevant as withdrawals are generally in the local currency anyway, it's payments that you need to be aware to make the correct choice.
  • Katiehound
    Katiehound Posts: 8,131 Forumite
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    I use my Halifax Clarity CC to pay for goods and services as much as possible abroad as it is commission free worldwide and just try to keep away from cash! If I really need that I would buy some beforehand - probably from Tesco.
    I presume it depends if you are using very small local businesses who would want the cash or larger outlets like supermarkets who take the plastic.
    Being polite and pleasant doesn't cost anything!
    -Stash bust:in 2022:337
    Stash bust :2023. 120duvets, 24bags,43dogcoats, 2scrunchies, 10mitts, 6 bootees, 8spec cases, 2 A6notebooks, 59cards, 6 lav bags,36 angels,9 bones,1 blanket, 1 lined bag,3 owls, 88 pyramids = total 420total spend £5.Total for 'Dogs for Good' £546.82

    2024:Sewn:59Doggy ds,52pyramids,18 bags,6spec cases,6lav.bags.
    Knits:6covers,4hats,10mitts,2 bootees.
    Crotchet:61angels, 229cards=453 £158.55profit!!!
    2025 3dduvets
  • YorkshireBoy
    YorkshireBoy Posts: 31,541 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Katiehound wrote: »
    I use my Halifax Clarity CC to pay for goods and services as much as possible abroad as it is commission free worldwide and just try to keep away from cash! If I really need that I would buy some beforehand - probably from Tesco.
    Isn't that false economy? Assuming Euros, Tesco's rate is currently 1.146, around 2.2% worse than Halifax's 1.172 rate. At the Clarity's 18.9% APR representative rate, you could afford to carry a cash balance for 6 weeks* and still be in pocket! Even if they didn't have internet access overseas, most holidaymakers would have been back home at least a month before that point!


    * If you're still on the old 12.9% APR rate that period is extended to over 2 months (but worst case scenario you'd have paid it off within 7 weeks anyway).
  • No_6
    No_6 Posts: 835 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Halifax or cash for me

    I always ignore must or the other posters
  • Yorkshire_Pud
    Yorkshire_Pud Posts: 1,966 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 19 February 2017 at 12:28AM
    Nationwide FlexDirect or Flexclusive Regular saver for saving it, Halifax Clarity credit card for spending it then paying it off as soon as possible.

    Plus some GBP clean crisp or is it squeaky new £20 notes to exchange over there.
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