Banco Santander Zero card declined abroad

kfsimpson

I have held a Zero card for many years, dating right back to the era of Abbey National, and have only ever used it abroad. Last month, for the very first time, they blocked a transaction while abroad in spite of having authorised a transaction in the same country the previous week. I have always believed, and am sure I have read somewhere in the past, that Banco Santander does not require customers to advise them in advance when travelling abroad, but now they are asking me to do so. Given the horror stories from others of cards being blocked even when they have notified their bank, I am now very wary of continuing to use this card abroad. One of the best features has been that they have always authorised transactions in even very remote and unusual destinations and I felt I could depend on the card.

Has anyone else noticed a change in policy on this card? I’m considering applying for a Halifax Clarity. What is your experience of their line on pre-notification?

Thanks in advance for your help.

mrmagooooooo

You have to go online and notify Halifax before travelling abroad too.

agrinnall

Any transaction done anywhere in the world, even in your home country, has the potential to be blocked, hence the advice to always have at least 2 payment methods available.

ThinkingOutLoud_2

In my experience - almost every card I have every had has at some moment declined a transaction abroad (not often but over many years and lots of travel)

The things is their anti-fraud algorithms are being forever updated / made more sophisticated to fight ever more sophisticated fraud. Sometimes they get anxious about an area or country or even a shop...not just your card

Sometimes inevitably, this triggers "false positives" and this can leave you in the lurch if you don't have an alternative card or cash.

The only card this has not happened on is my currency card - one of those where you load it with currency as you need and then can only spend what you load. I guess these cards are aimed at travel ... and their risk is limited by what cash you have loaded.

In short - I'd have multiple cards (your backup set with a lower limit if you prefer).

I'd also a consider having a third card kept separately locked in the hotel safe - in case you ever got your purse / wallet stolen. That makes life while your cards are reissued a lot easier!

And as noted, many cards let you advise in advance of your travel destination countries and timings which should reduce the likelihood of declines.

PeacefulWaters

You didn't have a Zero card in 1989 when Abbey National last existed.

Ignore my nonsense! Sorry.

Nebulous2

I'm currently abroad on holiday, using Clarity regularly, didn't notify them and haven't had any problems. I have occasionally been making payments to cover cash withdrawals so they know I'm monitoring my usage.

I also have a Nationwide card which doesn't charge for foreign purchases and have been using it as well. I didn't notify them either.

Both cards are used at home on at least an occasional basis and paid in full.

I'd say you really can't tell. Have a back-up and hope they don't both get blocked. I also have a non-free one with me as a third option and a couple of debit cards, so I should be well-covered for all eventualities. The days of trusting / using one financial institution are well and truly over - at least as far as I am concerned.

ThinkingOutLoud_2

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

You didn't have a Zero card in 1989 when Abbey National last existed.

OP didn't say that. He said he had one when Abbey brand still did did exist?
http://www.independent.co.uk/money/loans-credit/spotlight-abbey-zero-card-1685629.html

PeacefulWaters

ThinkingOutLoud wrote: »

OP didn't say that. He said he had one when Abbey brand still did did exist?
http://www.independent.co.uk/money/loans-credit/spotlight-abbey-zero-card-1685629.html

You're right. I'm spouting rubbish linked to the demutualisation date, not the Santander takeover.

ThinkingOutLoud_2

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

You're right. I'm spouting rubbish linked to the demutualisation date, not the Santander takeover.

No worries - we all do so sometimes - makes us human!

kfsimpson

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and experience. I've clearly been lucky that they have never declined it before. Wish I could remember where I read that they are one of the banks who don't require customers to notify.
I too used to have a Nationwide card, but when this one became available with no cash machine fees, applied for this as well. Sadly, I failed to use the Nationwide one within the required period when they wrote to me because I hadn't been using it at the tail end of last year and it was cancelled. Therefore I am now looking for a backup fee-free or low fee card. I do carry standard cards, but like all good money savers, really don't want to pay 3%+ unless there is no other option. I think therefore I will apply for the Halifax card, and it sounds as if I shall just have to bite the bullet and go through the hassle of notifying both. Since I often visit two or even three countries in one trip and have read about how this is difficult to pre-notify, I'll keep my fingers crossed. Unlike Nebulous2, I never use them at home, always using my cashback cards.
Thanks for yet again proving that MSE forums are invaluable! Have one more to post re DCC problems and will look forward to further excellent advice.

adindas

kfsimpson wrote: »

I have held a Zero card for many years, dating right back to the era of Abbey National, and have only ever used it abroad. Last month, for the very first time, they blocked a transaction while abroad in spite of having authorised a transaction in the same country the previous week. I have always believed, and am sure I have read somewhere in the past, that Banco Santander does not require customers to advise them in advance when travelling abroad, but now they are asking me to do so. Given the horror stories from others of cards being blocked even when they have notified their bank, I am now very wary of continuing to use this card abroad. One of the best features has been that they have always authorised transactions in even very remote and unusual destinations and I felt I could depend on the card.

Has anyone else noticed a change in policy on this card? I’m considering applying for a Halifax Clarity. What is your experience of their line on pre-notification?

Thanks in advance for your help.

I have been having Samtander Zero for 7 years.
It is always be the case with Santander, tey require you to inform them where you want to use your card, especially if it is outside EU countries,