Debit/Credit card with free use in Egypt?

somnerd13

I'm going to Egypt at the start of March and was wondering if anybody knows of any bank or credit card accounts that don't charge for usage abroad, particularly Egypt?

At the moment I have:

HSBC Student Current Maestro - Debit
HSBC Student Mastercard - Credit
NatWest Student Current Maestro - Debit (Servicecard 100)
NatWest Student Mastercard - Credit
Co-operative Bank Current Visa - Debit

Also, my partner has a Lloyds TSB Visa Debit.

Would any of these be free to use over there or are we likely to be charged?

The main reason for asking is that my wages go into my bank on the second day of our holiday, so we're likely to have very little cash to exchange and take with us, at least not enough to last the whole 14 days anyway! And it would certainly be nice to not be charged to spend my own money..

arealhighlander

Should be easy enough to check on their websites to see what they charge (I think you will find all listed do)

I use the Nationwide Flexaccount cashcard for my foreign withdrawals as they dont charge for foreign withdrawals.

For foreign transaction credit card, I use the Post Office Mastercard (again, no overseas charge)

You will find in most tourist areas they will exchange Euros and English Sterling. The shops and individuals will give a better rate than the banks, hotels etc. Just find out the rate before you go and make sure you get a better rate than that! Travelex are quoting EGP9.8 per £1 Sterling.

You should get at least EGP10 to £1 Sterling from locals.

dzug

All your cards will charge a loading of 2.75% on the exchange rate

The Lloyds and Coop debit cards will charge an extra 1.5 or 2% for ATM withdrawals - Natwest and HSBC wont. All the credit cards will charge extra for cash

Have a look at the travel money maximiser on this site

somnerd13

Hi, thanks both.

I've had a look at the Nationwide FlexAccount and made an application for a joint account between me and my partner - it was declined! Very odd considering she's a homeowner (no mortgage) and I work 30 hours a week, neither of us have any priority debt, just me with a credit card (<£500) and an overdraught. Maybe it's because neither of us are willing to make the FlexAccount our 'main' account?

Mardrew

somnerd13 wrote: »

Hi, thanks both.

Maybe it's because neither of us are willing to make the FlexAccount our 'main' account?

Sorry but I don't think this is the case. I finally got around to applying for this account yesterday over the phone for myself & DH. When they asked me what I was going to be using the account for (rightly or wrongly) I told them it was mainly going to be for use when abroad and not as our main account. We were accepted for the Flexaccount and credit card. (I accept our personal circumstances may be different to yours.)

I'm not sure if it is possible, but could you find out why it was declined. It may be useful information for the future.

C_Ronaldo

somnerd13 wrote: »

Hi, thanks both.

I've had a look at the Nationwide FlexAccount and made an application for a joint account between me and my partner - it was declined! Very odd considering she's a homeowner (no mortgage) and I work 30 hours a week, neither of us have any priority debt, just me with a credit card (<£500) and an overdraught. Maybe it's because neither of us are willing to make the FlexAccount our 'main' account?

ive got a flexaccount with about £40 a month going into it, i had no problems getting one, and as far as they are aware its not my main account, i dont have my wages going into it or any direct debits coming out

somnerd13

Strange that. I think I'll just go into my local branch on Tuesday, always easier to sort things, especially as the staff member probably gets some sort of reward depending on the accounts they open, and the computer well, probably doesn't.

arealhighlander

somnerd13 wrote: »

Hi, thanks both.

Maybe it's because neither of us are willing to make the FlexAccount our 'main' account?

Certainly not the case for me, I ONLY use ot on holidays, dont use it the rest of the time. As said, have a look at the advice on Martins main site for other ways to save money.

somnerd13

Another question I should have asked really..

Does anybody know if places in Egypt (Sharm el-Sheikh) even accept Maestro? I know most places all over the world accept Mastercard and Visa, and thus Visa debit, but how about Maestro? If I'm going to stick with the accounts that I have now then HSBC Debit (Maestro) works out the cheapest.