Which card to use when abroad

MargeryKempe

eDicky said:

Le_Kirk said:

MargeryKempe said:

Hi all, we are driving to France (via a ferry) in a couple of weeks and I got the Chase current account and debit card some months ago as Martin said this was the best one for travelling. I also have a first direct current account and received an email from them recently saying that they are offering free cash withdrawals abroad and free payments with debit card as well. Neither of these is my main current account. We never do any foreign exchange before travelling abroad and always only use debit and credit cards and cash machines whilst we are there. Is the Chase account still the best one to transfer money into and use when we are abroad (because of the cash back?) or would it be the same if I use the first direct account for our spending in France? 

The reason for it being declined (I found out later) was because it had not been set up for European use! 

This could well be untrue and sounds unlikely, CS agents often invent something as an explanation. Pay-at-pump does not always work with some cards, and in reality it's often impossible to determine exactly why a card payment is declined or fails. That's why it's best to travel with a range of cards to reduce the risk of getting stuck.

I see yes. I’m sure have had probs with pay at pump randomly in France before. The pay at pump wasn’t working at our local sainsburys last week! Some French petrol stations are pay at pump only though aren’t they? So have all cards ready just in case you would say?

MargeryKempe

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Some people are mislead by the fee free "user friendly" debit card scenario - the card itself (Chase and now First Direct, for example) are among those that don't take a fee when used at ATMs abroad - however as you are aware the ATM owner bank may take a usage fee.

Santander are about the worst (in Spain at least), they grab 7 Euro per transaction last I heard.

I'm not au fais with that aspect for French ATMs - maybe other members can advise ?

You can use the Chase card to settle up for goods and purchases either contactless of with PIN without fees - not sure if that applies to FD card though.

Remember always to pay in local currency, the without conversion option - that'll be the left hand touchscreen button in my experience. Do not be tempted to pay in GBP - that will cost you more bottom line.

I would also recommend a similarly "user friendly" credit card - see MSE advice.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/

Oh so you mean don’t use a Santander cash machine unless it’s a total emergency!?

MargeryKempe

I’ve got another question? Should I use my one of my fee free cards (Chase, first direct, Starling) to pay for pre-bookings in euros at locations we will visit in France. E.g. museums, day trip to an aquarium, stuff like that? (Just realised that I paid our deposit for our campsite in advance with non-fee free card, argh!) Thanks! M

bagand96

MargeryKempe said:

I’ve got another question? Should I use my one of my fee free cards (Chase, first direct, Starling) to pay for pre-bookings in euros at locations we will visit in France. E.g. museums, day trip to an aquarium, stuff like that? (Just realised that I paid our deposit for our campsite in advance with non-fee free card, argh!) Thanks! M

Yes.  It's the same principle whether withdrawing cash, paying with the card, or paying online.  Your bank will convert the EUR to GBP using the Mastercard rate on the day and won't add any fees.  The Mastercard rate is close to the interbank rate and better than anything you'd get at a bureau de change etc.

ALWAYS remember to pay in Euros if offered the choice.  Most ATMs and a lot of chip&pin/contactless devices will now detect it's a UK card and offer you to pay in GBP.  Don't select this option as the foreign bank will do the conversion at a rate beneficial to them and not to you!  Always pay in Euros and let your UK bank do the conversion.

On ATM fees, a quick search of Tripadvisor forums seems to suggest most banks in France do not charge a fee for withdrawals.  Stick to branded major bank ATMs is always good advice. 

NoodleDoodleMan

MargeryKempe said:

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Some people are mislead by the fee free "user friendly" debit card scenario - the card itself (Chase and now First Direct, for example) are among those that don't take a fee when used at ATMs abroad - however as you are aware the ATM owner bank may take a usage fee.

Santander are about the worst (in Spain at least), they grab 7 Euro per transaction last I heard.

I'm not au fais with that aspect for French ATMs - maybe other members can advise ?

You can use the Chase card to settle up for goods and purchases either contactless of with PIN without fees - not sure if that applies to FD card though.

Remember always to pay in local currency, the without conversion option - that'll be the left hand touchscreen button in my experience. Do not be tempted to pay in GBP - that will cost you more bottom line.

I would also recommend a similarly "user friendly" credit card - see MSE advice.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/

I’ll definitely steer well clear of Santander. Why would you say I would need to use a credit card? For emergencies and stuff? I know it used to be better (in terms of fees) to pay by credit card rather than debit card abroad (although obviously not for cash machines!!), I think we did that the last time we drove in France (around 2015 I think!!!)

If you have a regular Santander UK debit card then that is the best choice to withdraw currency from Banco Santander fully branded ATMs in Spain and the Canaries - it is the biggest bank in Spain with many branches and ATMs. However I wouldn't go near a Santander machine with ANY other debit card as it'll grab a 7 Euro fee per transaction.

Nor would I use the card to settle for goods and services as it'll take a 2.95% fee.

Quoting Santander, the card is good for ATMs here - We won't charge you when you use your personal debit card to make withdrawals at Santander cash machines abroad. You'll find our cash machines in Spain, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and the USA. Make sure you choose to pay in the local currency to avoid being charged any other fees.

There are some so called "user friendly" credit cards that can be used to pay for goods and services abroad with no added fees.

I have a Santander Zero CC (no longer available to new applicants) for this.

For example I use it to pay our accumulated hotel bar bill at the end of the holiday.

Others in this category include  Barclaycard Rewards CC, Halifax Clarity CC and Virgin Travel CC.

Such a suitable credit card is a necessary part of financial life support abroad IMO - most regulars here will concur I reckon.

Of course you need funds in your bank account at home to settle up the painful bottom line when the monthly statement is due !!!

 

Le_Kirk

MargeryKempe said:

Le_Kirk said:

The reason for it being declined (I found out later) was because it had not been set up for European use!  There's me thinking, well Contactless works, it is the same card/account it should be fine but, no, there is an option within the app to sort it.  Bonne Vacances!

Thanks so much, do you know where the option is within the Chase app to sort this out? M

It is within the Card itself, open the app, click on "See Card", then "Manage Card", then "Card Controls" then "Manage Card Outside UK".

MargeryKempe

bagand96 said:

MargeryKempe said:

I’ve got another question? Should I use my one of my fee free cards (Chase, first direct, Starling) to pay for pre-bookings in euros at locations we will visit in France. E.g. museums, day trip to an aquarium, stuff like that? (Just realised that I paid our deposit for our campsite in advance with non-fee free card, argh!) Thanks! M

Yes.  It's the same principle whether withdrawing cash, paying with the card, or paying online.  Your bank will convert the EUR to GBP using the Mastercard rate on the day and won't add any fees.  The Mastercard rate is close to the interbank rate and better than anything you'd get at a bureau de change etc.

ALWAYS remember to pay in Euros if offered the choice.  Most ATMs and a lot of chip&pin/contactless devices will now detect it's a UK card and offer you to pay in GBP.  Don't select this option as the foreign bank will do the conversion at a rate beneficial to them and not to you!  Always pay in Euros and let your UK bank do the conversion.

On ATM fees, a quick search of Tripadvisor forums seems to suggest most banks in France do not charge a fee for withdrawals.  Stick to branded major bank ATMs is always good advice. 

Great that’s so useful thanks!

MargeryKempe

Thanks all!

MargeryKempe

I don’t think I’ve even got a Santander account any more (at the moment anyway) so there is no danger of me accidentally using a Santander card in a place where it will cost me fees anyway. I will try to use French Banks for withdrawing cash but stick to paying by card wherever possible. Thanks all!

MargeryKempe

Le_Kirk said:

MargeryKempe said:

Le_Kirk said:

The reason for it being declined (I found out later) was because it had not been set up for European use!  There's me thinking, well Contactless works, it is the same card/account it should be fine but, no, there is an option within the app to sort it.  Bonne Vacances!

Thanks so much, do you know where the option is within the Chase app to sort this out? M

It is within the Card itself, open the app, click on "See Card", then "Manage Card", then "Card Controls" then "Manage Card Outside UK".

That is all switched on for me Thanks! I also asked the chase in-app chatbot/chat real human over the wkd and they also seemed to say it should all be fine although I’ll have other cards ready as I know pay at pump can be a bit of pig anyway…