Best Credit card to take abroad

Forgetful

Hi I am going away next week
I would like to take a credit card with me just in case I need to buy anything expensive.
Which card would be best in terms of charges and exchange rates???

Thanks

fabsaver

I always use either the Nationwide or the Post Office cards when going abroad as they don't add any extra exchange charges for purchases like most do.;)

missile

What cards do you have? There is no chance you can apply and recieve a new CC in a week. Get a NWide card for your next trip!

SiuLoong

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cards/cheaper-spending-overseas

This says it better than I can...

Catherine2506

Hi

I always use a Nationwide credit card when i'm abroad, its much safer than taking all cash, and they don't charge you for using your card abroad at all, and there are no commission fees either.

Note- if you withdraw from an ATM abroad, the ATM provider may charge you

Hope this helps

Cath

King_Weasel

Just to amplify Catherine's message above, the big advantage of the Nationwide credit card is the absence of the usual 2.75% foreign currency charge. But there's still a small transaction charge for cash withdrawals and there's still interest on cash withdrawals from day 1. Personally, I have their credit card for purchases abroad and also their debit card for cash withdrawals abroad so as to avoid these charges. (I opened a bank account with Nationwide which I only use for this purpose.)

Indout96

HSBC do not charge anything for using your visa cards abroad. Leeds & Holbeck (now just Leeds) charge a fortune (card now cut up in bits)
We normally just draw cash from ATM's on our cash card rather than paying with Visa but then I prefer cash in the UK as well there is a small charge for this so only worth it if withdrawing larger amounts as far as I know we are charged around £2.50 for this but on a withdrawal of $1000 thats way cheaper than travelers cheques / changing cash in the UK.

chappers

Catherine2506 wrote: »

Hi

INote- if you withdraw from an ATM abroad, the ATM provider may charge you

Hope this helps

Cath

I have always found it best to use large National Banks when abroad they are less likely to charge you.
Nationwide for me too.

King_Of_Fools

Indout96 wrote: »

HSBC do not charge anything for using your visa cards abroad.

Not what it says on their website:
http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/interest-rates/credit-cards;jsessionid=00008Sjz9VGymamCY-HsvBCCZXP:12ntf1n0a

Foreign Exchange - 2.75% of the amount of non-sterling transactions

Biggles

Indout96 wrote: »

HSBC do not charge anything for using your visa cards abroad.

No, what it is is this: they don't tell you they charge you - unless you read the T&Cs - or itemise it on your statement. They charge you, like most card providers, 2.75% loading on top of the exchange rate. Nationwide: 0%.

We normally just draw cash from ATM's on our cash card rather than paying with Visa

Now, that is just asking for trouble with most cards. In the case of HSBC, it involves an extra charge (on top of the 2.75%) of 1.5% (minimum £1.75) (unless you have Plus or Premier - whatever they are! - but then you're just paying for it in other ways). Nationwide debit card: 0%.

But you are right that is still cheaper than bureaux de change/travellers' cheques etc, but if you travel abroad much you really need a Nationwide card.