Abbey Zero v Nationwide

Francophile

I recently got the Abbey Zero card and I'm about to apply for a Nationwide debit card so that I can lift cash when I am abroad but can anyone tell me if it's better to have the Abbey Zero or the Nationwide CC or are they both the same.

sdooley

Martin's article would imply the zero is better but don't use the zero card for e.g. cash withdrawls overseas unless you are going to clear the entire balance - nasty that balance transfers and spending comes off first, whacking great niterest on the cash withdrawls rolls up in the account.

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

Best combo would be Nationwide debit account for cash withdrawls and either zero/Nationwide CC for spending (with s.75 protection).

BenL

They are both much the same.

If you go into a branch to open the Nationwide banking account they may try to upsell you a credit card as well to go with it.

They may tell you the limit you could get so you can see if it worth getting the Nationwide CC.

gerrynimo

Does this mean that if you would use the Abbey Zero card abroad for spending and withdrawing money from an ATM, that you get charged intrest on both?

Say I would spend 300 using the Abbey Zero card, and 200 on cash withdrawls abraod.... On return, and not paying off the card in full, do i get charged intrest on the full 500, or only on the 200 from cash withdrawls?

NickX

gerrynimo wrote: »

Say I would spend 300 using the Abbey Zero card, and 200 on cash withdrawls abraod.... On return, and not paying off the card in full, do i get charged intrest on the full 500, or only on the 200 from cash withdrawls?

If you don't pay the balance off in full, you will be charged interest on both elements of the balance, although I think the interest charged on Cash Withdrawals will be higher.

If you do pay the balance off in full, then you will just be charged interest on the Cash Withdrawal element of the balance.

I know it looks good because there is no fee for foreign currency transactions, but in reality you are best NOT to use it for cash withdrawals. A Nationwide Flexaccount with a Debit Card is much better for making foreign currency cash withdrawals.