Using RBS card overseas

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?



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  • eskbanker
    eskbanker Posts: 36,338 Forumite
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    edited 3 May 2022 at 3:15PM
    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
    sausage_time Posts: 1,306 Ambassador
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    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.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Credit Cards and Budgeting & Bank Accounts boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.
    All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • Daliah
    Daliah Posts: 3,792 Forumite
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    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
    Scotbot Posts: 1,524 Forumite
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    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
    born_again Posts: 19,258 Forumite
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    edited 3 May 2022 at 6:52PM
    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.
    Life in the slow lane
  • Scotbot
    Scotbot Posts: 1,524 Forumite
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    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
    Daliah Posts: 3,792 Forumite
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    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
    Scotbot Posts: 1,524 Forumite
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    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
  • 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
    Daliah Posts: 3,792 Forumite
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    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.
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