Cards to use abroad

NoodleDoodleMan

The Santander debit card will likely incur fees at most (if not all) bank linked ATMs.

Nebulous2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82107118#Comment_82107118

Santander debit cards are fee-free at Santander ATMs, so useful where they are prevalent - like Spain. (Their website says Spain, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and the USA but I don't know how common they would be) Given most if not all ATM operators in Spain charge their own fees for UK debit cards the Santander card would beat most of them if used at a Santander ATM.

Maegi

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82108573#Comment_82108573

TSB Bank debit card holders can now also use Santander ATMs for free too.

NoodleDoodleMan

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82108662#Comment_82108662

Thanks - didn't know that, interesting.

I suspect it'll only be Santander bank owned and operated fully branded ATMs for fee free transactions- as in Spain and the Canaries.

NoodleDoodleMan

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82108573#Comment_82108573

UK Santander debit cards are only fee free if used at Banco Santander owned and operated (aka fully branded) ATMs in Spain and the Canaries - as located at branches.

Standalone cajeros in resorts bearing the Santander logo are part of Euro Automatic Cash ATMs in which BS have a 50% stake - this relationship only gives commission free withdrawals to BS domestic clients.

I have no experience of other countries, although I believe branches are widespread in Portugal.

Hiker_Biker

I was in Palma (Majorca, Spain) last week and used an ATM inside a Santander bank entrance. I don't recall having to select "pay" with € or £ but must have selected £, as that is what is in my Santander UK account. However, I should have selected €, because I got hit with an 8.4% markup on the exchange rate! So, just like using a debit or credit card for purchases, always select to pay in the local currency.

After complaining to Santander UK, they agreed to review the wording on their website, to make it clearer about using the local currency to pay for cash withdrawals.

Money_and_Travel

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82097748#Comment_82097748

I've got that, and Barclaycard Rewards, which also gives Fee Free Foreign Spending, and 1% cashback, for the first year.