Banking problem on holiday that could have left me stranded

penners324

Brie said:

My biggest problem when travelling is if I have to do any banking they want to send a code to my mobile.  And because I'm travelling I get a sim which I never know the number for in advance so can't set that up on my account.

So try to move money, OTP goes to my UK phone which I can't access in wherever I am.  So online banking is impossible.  I've asked my bank how I can get around this and have been told flatly that I can't.

Net result is that I have everything set up in advance.  So if I know I will want money transferred from my bank account to my travel credit card I do it before I leave and guess at the timing for it to be on my card.  Likewise - set up any payments to any other accounts or for bills in advance.  

And in addition to my travel CC (no fees and good rates) I take my everyday bank account debit card and at least one other credit card.  There's fees on both of those but I've rarely needed to use them.  Ultimate back up (like you) is to have someone in the UK who can do things on my behalf.  

Use a mobile company that is travel friendly. Sky is £2 a day in most countries to use your usual allowances. Obviously check the country your your heading is included.

Or use WiFi.

I've been to India and Sri Lanka and never had an issue with wifi

Sew_Late

Brie said:

My biggest problem when travelling is if I have to do any banking they want to send a code to my mobile.  And because I'm travelling I get a sim which I never know the number for in advance so can't set that up on my account.

So try to move money, OTP goes to my UK phone which I can't access in wherever I am.  So online banking is impossible.  I've asked my bank how I can get around this and have been told flatly that I can't.

Net result is that I have everything set up in advance.  So if I know I will want money transferred from my bank account to my travel credit card I do it before I leave and guess at the timing for it to be on my card.  Likewise - set up any payments to any other accounts or for bills in advance.  

And in addition to my travel CC (no fees and good rates) I take my everyday bank account debit card and at least one other credit card.  There's fees on both of those but I've rarely needed to use them.  Ultimate back up (like you) is to have someone in the UK who can do things on my behalf.  

That was my problem exactly in a nutshell.  I tried to chat with Santander about it on the chat facility and they cut me off and I couldn't then do anything at all, had to borrow money and wait until I got home.

Sew_Late

gt94sss2 said:

1. Always take more than one debit/credit card with you. It is not uncommon for banks to block cards if they are used overseas even if you have hold them you are going in advance. 

2. Receiving UK text messages overseas to UK mobiles (including in Japan) is free. No need for a VPN as suggested by others and in fact that can cause problems.

3. Japan does not have much free/public WiFi. However, hotels etc will have it available for guests and visitors.

4. I would suggest carrying both Visa and MasterCard cards. There are still some places in Japan including some ATMs which will only accept one brand and not the other. 

5. I would not use Monzo to withdraw money in Japan as they limit the amount of cash you can withdraw from an ATM without imposing additional charges.

6. One option for you to consider using overseas is the HSBC Global Money account. https://www.hsbc.co.uk/current-accounts/products/global-money/

7. Depending on your mobile, it can also be useful to load your cards on Apple/Google Pay as a backup even if you are not carrying the physical cards with you.

The messages weren't coming through from the bank at all.  When I logged on to revolut it was saying that the request had been denied.  I couldn't ring them because EE had capped my calls and when I used the chat facility they said they couldn't see a problem.  I explained I was in Japan, had to pay for accommodation and they said 'tough' and blocked my account.  There was no attempt to security check with me at all.  Luckily I wasn't homeless for a week.  

Sew_Late

Gerry1 said:

Although cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, restaurants and the railways, many ATMs only accept Japanese cards.  However, ATMs at the main Post Office opposite Tokyo station were OK, ditto Citi ATMs (e.g. at Narita).

I used seven eleven and didn't have a problem but didn't withdraw money anywhere else. 

eDicky

Sew_Late said:

gt94sss2 said:

1. Always take more than one debit/credit card with you. It is not uncommon for banks to block cards if they are used overseas even if you have hold them you are going in advance. 

2. Receiving UK text messages overseas to UK mobiles (including in Japan) is free. No need for a VPN as suggested by others and in fact that can cause problems.

3. Japan does not have much free/public WiFi. However, hotels etc will have it available for guests and visitors.

4. I would suggest carrying both Visa and MasterCard cards. There are still some places in Japan including some ATMs which will only accept one brand and not the other. 

5. I would not use Monzo to withdraw money in Japan as they limit the amount of cash you can withdraw from an ATM without imposing additional charges.

6. One option for you to consider using overseas is the HSBC Global Money account. https://www.hsbc.co.uk/current-accounts/products/global-money/

7. Depending on your mobile, it can also be useful to load your cards on Apple/Google Pay as a backup even if you are not carrying the physical cards with you.

The messages weren't coming through from the bank at all. 

Perhaps because there's no 2G cellular in Japan.

Theleak250

I’m sure it’s already been said, but if you are going overseas. You need emergency cash, separate bank cards one kept in the safe, even two mobiles, but I have had it happen before where I have arrived and the SIM card refuses to work. I had to ask the locals to book me a taxi to the hotel as I was in the middle of the city off the subway and had no idea where the hotel was. You have to plan for all things. 

Gerry1

Theleak250 said:

...the SIM card refuses to work. I had to ask the locals to book me a taxi to the hotel as I was in the middle of the city off the subway and had no idea where the hotel was.

@Theleak250 Best to have a dual SIM mobile and to download a satnav app such as MapFactor Navigator.  You can download free maps before you go.

Citymapper is also very useful, both at home and abroad.

huw01

The santander edge debit card doesn't charge any foreign transaction fees on atm withdrawals or purchases abroad. You may have a different current account with santander but maybe look into this in future to see if it would be beneficial to you.

I saw the Panorama documentary on Revolut and I really would stay well away from them.