Halifax removes option to tell them you're abroad

freelancepuddle

I travel a lot and always filled in the online form to tell them I was traveling so they didn't block my cards. They have now however removed the option to tell them you're traveling abroad, anyone know why this and how to get peace of mind? I'm traveling for 3 months soon with my Halifax Clarity Card and I have no idea if they will block it or not.

(Side note: I recently phoned their fraud department over a strange transaction and never got through, they told me on Twitter that their fraud department is exceedingly busy with calls recently. I think them removing this option could be why).

Rich2808

freelancepuddle wrote: »

I travel a lot and always filled in the online form to tell them I was traveling so they didn't block my cards. They have now however removed the option to tell them you're traveling abroad, anyone know why this and how to get peace of mind? I'm traveling for 3 months soon with my Halifax Clarity Card and I have no idea if they will block it or not.

(Side note: I recently phoned their fraud department over a strange transaction and never got through, they told me on Twitter that their fraud department is exceedingly busy with calls recently. I think them removing this option could be why).

Sorry they are being so awkward. I have never come across banks not letting you notify them you will be away.

I would however not rely on one credit card if you are going away for 3 months - it might stop working properly let alone the wider concerns you have, I would recommend the Post office credit card as it offers zero currency conversion costs.

Also where are you going to - I am with HSBC and I am slightly comforted than in large parts of the world if I have any problems they may have a branch nearby. I once got stuck in Miami - the UK bank had stopped my card - found one of their branches and they let me call HSBC in the UK for free from their phone and the problem was sorted.

Keep trying and get a spare card just in case. Good luck and enjoy your trip.

veryintrigued

We noticed this too.

In Feb we only had to notify NW as Metro and Halifax don't need notifying.

jonesMUFCforever

Lloyds, Halifax, MBNA and Barclaycard do not require you to advise you are going abroad.
Nationwide still give you the option.

PeacefulWaters

Presumably they have identified better ways of identifying iffy overseas transactions and no longer wish to waste customer time registering overseas trips.

worried_jim

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

Presumably they have identified better ways of identifying iffy overseas transactions and no longer wish to waste customer time registering overseas trips.

Just buy a sandwich etc at the airport. Bank told.

veryintrigued

worried_jim wrote: »

Just buy a sandwich etc at the airport. Bank told.

Are you crazy? Buy a sandwich at the airport?

This is MSE

Vortigern

veryintrigued wrote: »

Are you crazy? Buy a sandwich at the airport?

This is MSE

Boots Meal Deal - cheaper than a meal on the plane, and more choice.

agrinnall

Vortigern wrote: »

Boots Meal Deal - cheaper than a meal on the plane, and more choice.

Indeed, but if you're buying at Boots then it's very likely you're still at a UK airport and the bank won't be able to tell if your destination is international or domestic - the majority of my flights are to other UK airports. Perhaps jim meant "buy a sandwich at the (foreign) arrival airport".

glider3560

worried_jim wrote: »

Just buy a sandwich etc at the airport. Bank told.

Not necessarily.

The pub at Heathrow T3 comes up as "LONDON" on the statement. And Boots at Stansted Airport is at "STANSTEAD".

Also, they don't know where you've gone. You're abroad somewhere, but the fraudulent usage might be in a different country.

AirlieBird

https://www.halifax.co.uk/travel/

"Going abroad soon? You no longer need to tell us

You no longer have to tell us when you are travelling abroad. Our fraud and security systems are always on the lookout for suspicious activity on your accounts meaning you can relax when you are away making going abroad stress free."