Using RBS card overseas

Scotbot

Off to Spain in a week and just tried to register my trip with RBS via online banking. No problem for my credit card but can't register my debit card. Rang them to be told that they can no longer do it. However the website clearly says you can via the app.

Don't have the app and don't want it as I think they are a safety risk using over public WiFi or if your phone gets nicked. Should I get it or just rely on credit card and cash?

eskbanker

If they don't provide any non-app means of notifying travel, then my strong suspicion would be that it's no longer necessary, despite what their website suggests - many institutions no longer ask customers to notify them of planned use overseas, as the fraud systems and algorithms in use now are far more sophisticated than they used to be, so it's not particularly significant anymore to know where the customer physically is....

Having said that, your security concerns about apps sound misplaced, but you shouldn't be forced into using them if you don't want to!

sausage_time

It is necessary.  I just recently had a transaction declined on an RBS Credit Card (luckily had another card).  I enabled in the app (did even know that was an option) and now is OK.  On the phone, said we now need to do this for debit and credit cards.

Daliah

Scotbot said:

Off to Spain in a week and just tried to register my trip with RBS via online banking. No problem for my credit card but can't register my debit card. Rang them to be told that they can no longer do it. However the website clearly says you can via the app.

Don't have the app and don't want it as I think they are a safety risk using over public WiFi or if your phone gets nicked. Should I get it or just rely on credit card and cash?

Your fears about the mobile app are unfounded, as long as you have basic access security on your phone, and also don't share your banking login details - all likely to be things you do anyway. You don't actually have to use the app abroad or outside your home, and it is perfectly secure to use it on your home WiFi (unless you live with determined hackers).

But more importantly, neither the RBS debit nor their credit card are the best cards to use abroad. It's probably too late now to get yourself the better cards, but for future: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards. Although Starling Bank are very quick to apply for an account, and they send your card very quickly, too. Chase UK are even faster but as you are averse to apps, they are probably not for you.

Scotbot

Daliah said:

Scotbot said:

Off to Spain in a week and just tried to register my trip with RBS via online banking. No problem for my credit card but can't register my debit card. Rang them to be told that they can no longer do it. However the website clearly says you can via the app.

Don't have the app and don't want it as I think they are a safety risk using over public WiFi or if your phone gets nicked. Should I get it or just rely on credit card and cash?

Your fears about the mobile app are unfounded, as long as you have basic access security on your phone, and also don't share your banking login details - all likely to be things you do anyway. You don't actually have to use the app abroad or outside your home, and it is perfectly secure to use it on your home WiFi (unless you live with determined 

Thanks. Can I use it on my tablet or does it have to be a phone? Rarely use the phone for stuff other than WhatsApp or Google Map navigation as the screen is so small

born_again

You might be able to use it on a tablet. Depending on access to either Play Store or Apple app store & your tablet being upto date enough.

TBH. I would rather have it on a phone as you can then use mobile data rather than WiFi for connection.

Scotbot

born_again said:

You might be able to use it on a tablet. Depending on access to either Play Store or Apple app store & your tablet being upto date enough.

TBH. I would rather have it on a phone as you can then use mobile data rather than WiFi for connection.

My tablet is a damn sight more up to date than my phone and mobile signal here is appalling so it has to be WiFi 

Daliah

Scotbot said:

Daliah said:

Scotbot said:

Off to Spain in a week and just tried to register my trip with RBS via online banking. No problem for my credit card but can't register my debit card. Rang them to be told that they can no longer do it. However the website clearly says you can via the app.

Don't have the app and don't want it as I think they are a safety risk using over public WiFi or if your phone gets nicked. Should I get it or just rely on credit card and cash?

Your fears about the mobile app are unfounded, as long as you have basic access security on your phone, and also don't share your banking login details - all likely to be things you do anyway. You don't actually have to use the app abroad or outside your home, and it is perfectly secure to use it on your home WiFi (unless you live with determined 

Thanks. Can I use it on my tablet or does it have to be a phone? Rarely use the phone for stuff other than WhatsApp or Google Map navigation as the screen is so small

The RBS app runs happily on my iPad. What tablet do you have? It seems to also run on Android tablets https://www.rbs.co.uk/fraud-and-security/fraud-guide/tablet-security.html#tips

Scotbot

eskbanker said:

If they don't provide any non-app means of notifying travel, then my strong suspicion would be that it's no longer necessary, despite what their website suggests - many institutions no longer ask customers to notify them of planned use overseas, as the fraud systems and algorithms in use now are far more sophisticated than they used to be, so it's not particularly significant anymore to know where the customer physically is....

Having said that, your security concerns about apps sound misplaced, but you shouldn't be forced into using them if you don't want to!

I strongly suspect it's ruse to convert people to the app however what it has done is persuade  me to use my credit card from another bank

[Deleted User]

Daliah said:

Scotbot said:

Off to Spain in a week and just tried to register my trip with RBS via online banking. No problem for my credit card but can't register my debit card. Rang them to be told that they can no longer do it. However the website clearly says you can via the app.

Don't have the app and don't want it as I think they are a safety risk using over public WiFi or if your phone gets nicked. Should I get it or just rely on credit card and cash?

Your fears about the mobile app are unfounded, as long as you have basic access security on your phone, and also don't share your banking login details - all likely to be things you do anyway. You don't actually have to use the app abroad or outside your home, and it is perfectly secure to use it on your home WiFi (unless you live with determined hackers).

But more importantly, neither the RBS debit nor their credit card are the best cards to use abroad. It's probably too late now to get yourself the better cards, but for future: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards. Although Starling Bank are very quick to apply for an account, and they send your card very quickly, too. Chase UK are even faster but as you are averse to apps, they are probably not for you.

You are getting sloppy 

Their standard credit card is identical to sister NatWest's offering - this is in the top tranche
https://www.rbs.co.uk/credit-cards/the-royal-bank-credit-card.html 

Daliah

Deleted_User said:

Daliah said:

Scotbot said:

Off to Spain in a week and just tried to register my trip with RBS via online banking. No problem for my credit card but can't register my debit card. Rang them to be told that they can no longer do it. However the website clearly says you can via the app.

Don't have the app and don't want it as I think they are a safety risk using over public WiFi or if your phone gets nicked. Should I get it or just rely on credit card and cash?

Your fears about the mobile app are unfounded, as long as you have basic access security on your phone, and also don't share your banking login details - all likely to be things you do anyway. You don't actually have to use the app abroad or outside your home, and it is perfectly secure to use it on your home WiFi (unless you live with determined hackers).

But more importantly, neither the RBS debit nor their credit card are the best cards to use abroad. It's probably too late now to get yourself the better cards, but for future: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards. Although Starling Bank are very quick to apply for an account, and they send your card very quickly, too. Chase UK are even faster but as you are averse to apps, they are probably not for you.

You are getting sloppy 

Their standard credit card is identical to sister NatWest's offering - this is in the top tranche
https://www.rbs.co.uk/credit-cards/the-royal-bank-credit-card.html 

I had indeed seen the Natwest card on the MSE list, and I know that the RBS card is the same. I still stand by my statement that neither the RBS debit nor their credit card are the best, as if they were, they'd be top of the list and not also-runs.