Better card to use abroad?

funny.money

After looking on MSE I think both the cards that I have, Nationwide FlexPlus debit card and Santander Zero credit card (balance always paid in full) are good value when abroad. For those much better than me with comparisons is one better than the other? Many thanks.

TheRightOne

Zero is best. Just cover all cash advances immediately or asap.
FlexPlus Debit not as good. Forex charges for purchases abroad, plus 1 % shaved off the VISA exchange rate for cash withdrawals outside Europe. Considering that the VISA exchange rate may be a little bit less than the Mastercard rate, it compounds the issue.

Zero will charge you interest on cash advances. So mitigate that by paying off the cash advance immediately. Overall best.

zagfles

Note that if you have an outstanding statement balance, you can't pay off any cash advances since that statement until the statement balance is paid off.

For example, statement arrives on 1st Aug for £500. Will be paid in full by DD on 25th Aug. You make a cash withdrawal of £300 on 5th Aug. You pay £300 on 7th Aug. That £300 will go towards the statement balance, not the cash advance. You'll pay 20 days interest on the £300.