Nationwide FlexAccount

prudentsaving42

I recently applied for a Nationwide FlexAccount because I travel a lot and need local currency cash. But instead of receiving a debit card I received a cashcard, I don't see how I'd be able to use this abroad for payments/withdrawals as it's usually chip&pin.

Any ideas?

EDIT: I apologise for putting the thread in the wrong forum, I was totally unaware, could a mod please move the thread to the correct forum. Thanks.

Speculator

A cashcard is no good, you will need to apply for a VISA Debit card.

Biggles

Speculator wrote: »

A cashcard is no good, you will need to apply for a VISA Debit card.

The usual advice on here has always been that the Cash Card can be used for (fee-free) cash withdrawals abroad, though you wouldn't be able to use it for purchases.

muddyfox470

Does the cashcard have "cirrus" written on the back (looking a bit like a maestro symbol) ? If so you can use it to withdraw from cash points abroad (though I think cirrus is only Europe) but as others have said you wont be able to pay for purchases in shops etc.

I was originally given a cashcard, cancelled it and reapplied 1 year or so after. The flexaccount relies on your credit rating, and how much money you are likely to have going through your account... so if you haven't met the criteria you will have been given the cashcard.

prudentsaving42

muddyfox470 wrote: »

Does the cashcard have "cirrus" written on the back (looking a bit like a maestro symbol) ? If so you can use it to withdraw from cash points abroad (though I think cirrus is only Europe) but as others have said you wont be able to pay for purchases in shops etc.

I was originally given a cashcard, cancelled it and reapplied 1 year or so after. The flexaccount relies on your credit rating, and how much money you are likely to have going through your account... so if you haven't met the criteria you will have been given the cashcard.

Thanks for the advice... didn't know it would be that hard to get a debit card from Nationwide. I've got many from other banks.

neil324

have used my cashcard in Thailand before and it worked fine, but the exchange rate is not as good because its under the cirrus and not visa, so best chnage it.

prudentsaving42

neil324 wrote: »

have used my cashcard in Thailand before and it worked fine, but the exchange rate is not as good because its under the cirrus and not visa, so best chnage it.

Did you use the Nationwide FlexAccount cashcard or one from another bank. I think Nationwide's exchange rate should be fine?

Speculator

Nationwide Cashcard has a Cirrus symbol on the back so the exchange rate will be from Cirrus and not VISA.

keeperbear

Speculator wrote: »

Nationwide Cashcard has a Cirrus symbol on the back so the exchange rate will be from Cirrus and not VISA.

You are wrong about this. My mate and I both used our Nationwide cards at the same ATM in Colorado, USA. He only has a cash card which uses the Cirrus system and he got EXACTLY the same exchange rate as my Nationwide VISA debit card. No difference at all on US $s.

prudentsaving42

keeperbear wrote: »

You are wrong about this. My mate and I both used our Nationwide cards at the same ATM in Colorado, USA. He only has a cash card which uses the Cirrus system and he got EXACTLY the same exchange rate as my Nationwide VISA debit card. No difference at all on US $s.

Thanks for the confirmation. Will be using this card, I'll try and get them to send me a Debit card though.

Gary_Connor_1955

The flex account is a great way of getting cheaper money abroad. I bet most people have accounts for that reason!