Credit cards abroad

bees_2

Hi,

We're off to America for 3 weeks soon and were wondering what the best way to spend money is! We've got a nationwide account for the holiday, is it best to use that credit card or stick with the one we have which is Abbey?

And is it better to spend on the card or use debit cards and cash? We'd pay off the card as soon as the bill came.

Thanks!

CLAPTON

nationwide dont charge a foreign exchange surcharge on either their CC or their debit cards, most others do.

skyrider007

American Express Travelers Cheque Card is also an option for you.

Biggles

Definitely not the Abbey (2.75% loading on currency, plus 2.5% on cash withdrawals)!

Do you have a Nationwide debit card as well as a credit card? If so, fund your Flexaccount and use the debit card to draw cash, keeping the credit card for purchases. If not, use the credit card for both, cash withdrawals will only be charged at 2.5% (£3 minimum). But keep an eye open for warnings on the ATM, some banks (usually the smaller, local ones) make a charge for withdrawals. And older ATMs and gas pumps may not recognise your card.

skyrider007 wrote: »

American Express Travelers Cheque Card is also an option for you.

I was interested to see what that offered, but the American Express website says they were terminated in Oct last year.

benf90

Biggles wrote: »

cash withdrawals will only be charged at 2.5% (£3 minimum)

Don't forget the cash interest which will accrue from the day the withdrawal is made.

The cash advance fee may be 2.5%, but add the interest on top of that and it becomes much more expensive.

Biggles

benf90 wrote: »

Don't forget the cash interest which will accrue from the day the withdrawal is made.

This is true, of course, which is why the Nationwide debit card would be the best option.

And the Abbey credit card also charges interest from the day of withdrawal (on top of their other charges), so it still leaves the Nationwide by far the best bet.