Chase vs Nationwide CC for foreign spending.

MX5huggy

I have a Chase account the new darling of foreign spending cards and an ancient Nationwide Credit Card (20plus years old) that I have kept for its fee free foreign spending. I’ve always just taken cash out with the NW card but purchased as much as possible (compared with using cash) using it directly. 

Of these 2 cards which is the winner for get cash out and for purchases in forien currency (🇫🇷 💶). 

flaneurs_lobster

Here you go, I've saved you the bother of finding the links to look it up yourself.

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/help/travel/charges-using-your-card-abroad/

https://www.chase.co.uk/gb/en/support/travel-with-chase/

n15h

I guess it would depend on the exchange rate that each card gives to you when you transact e.g. cash withdrawal, card payment etc, and the fees they each charge for that transaction.

Not sure which is best, but I'm sure Chase is being advertised/promoted that it can be used abroad without any fees.

Sarahspangles

I have a Nationwide credit card, we use this when abroad.  We considered whether to get a new card for a recent holiday but decided not to bother - we’re quite good at estimating how much cash to take.  The potential saving on a cash withdrawal isn’t worth the hassle of keeping an eye on another card!

Ballard

Sarahspangles said:

I have a Nationwide credit card, we use this when abroad.  We considered whether to get a new card for a recent holiday but decided not to bother - we’re quite good at estimating how much cash to take.  The potential saving on a cash withdrawal isn’t worth the hassle of keeping an eye on another card!

It’s entirely up to you, of course, but I’d always take at least two cards on holiday in case there’s a problem with one of them. I actually take three debit cards and the Halifax Clarity credit card.

Ballard

The Chase card gives 1% cash back to most people so that’s a consideration. Taking a credit card would mean having longer to pay for everything and I have found on one occasion that a hotel required a credit card at check in so it’s always worth taking one. 

Sarahspangles

Ballard said:

Sarahspangles said:

I have a Nationwide credit card, we use this when abroad.  We considered whether to get a new card for a recent holiday but decided not to bother - we’re quite good at estimating how much cash to take.  The potential saving on a cash withdrawal isn’t worth the hassle of keeping an eye on another card!

It’s entirely up to you, of course, but I’d always take at least two cards on holiday in case there’s a problem with one of them. I actually take three debit cards and the Halifax Clarity credit card.

Yes, we also have a debit card and a Barclaycard as fallback.  The Barclaycard has a foreign currency transaction fee so we would only want to use it for a cash withdrawal (it’s no worse than the Nationwide rate).  But it’s great for use in the UK as it comes with a Cashback rate they no longer offer

[Deleted User]

There is a Visa v Mastercard rate exchange comparison plus differences in overseas acceptability to consider.

Chase will be substantially better for ATM usage especially in the USA. 

Band7

The Nationwide CC doesn't seem to figure on MSE's best cards for travel. Should it be on there, or is it just not a good choice of card? I generally use my Barclaycard, with Halifax Clarity as backup. I can't be bothered with debit cards.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/budgeting-bank-accounts

[Deleted User]

Band7 said:

The Nationwide CC doesn't seem to figure on MSE's best cards for travel. Should it be on there, or is it just not a good choice of card? I generally use my Barclaycard, with Halifax Clarity as backup. I can't be bothered with debit cards.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/budgeting-bank-accounts

They have issued a range of Visa credit cards (most forex free) with the latest being their Members credit card - listed as a top card in the travel card MSE checker. 

MX5huggy

The nationwide car is pre 2011, so not listed on MSE, looking at it NW seem to have improved their offer. An old card used to be better than a new one. 

I have both NW and Chase card with me plus about 6 others that will be generally terrible. 

Looks like the VISA (NW) exchange rate is marginally better than Mastercard (Chase). But the cash back on C puts that back in the lead. And C for cash machine as it has no fee.