Cash Withdrawal Abroad

grannybroon

Both my DH and I bank with Lloyds TSB. When we are abroad if we require local currency we always use our debit cards and take out the equivalent of at least £150 in local currency.

This has never been a problem but DH e-mailed a short time ago to say his bank wont allow use of his debit card in Oz (he arrived yesterday).

I immediately got on to Lloyds and asked if there was any way I could arrange for his card to be unblocked. The answer was no, DH would have to phone from Oz.

Whilst I appreciate the fact the bank requires to ascertain that the cardholder is the account holder, does this mean we now have to inform the bank if we intend travelling abroad. My DH travels the whole world and this is the first time this has happened. I am due to visit my brother in the States later this year so again should I inform the bank just before I go?

Any advice appreciated.

GB

123oleary

i don't think theres an official policy that you must inform the bank but there have a couple of similar posts on here lately saying their cards have been blocked abroad. it cant hurt to tell your bank in advance

Crabman

Hi grannybroon - have you considered applying for a Nationwide account as that would entitle you to withdraw commission free cash whilst abroad, full details in the article:

Spending Overseas: The cheapest way to pay

louisehj

I know in this instance your husband is using a debit card but there was something very similar on watchdog recently with credit cards. Quite a few people had their cards blocked when trying to use them abroad and the companies involved advised that the account holder inform them when they are going abroad so its not classed as suspicious use of the card.