I've already got mine ready to use in corfu if needed

Glynis HT Admin wrote:

I had to telephone Nationwide today and whilst I was on the phone the girl told me about their Select Credit Card, which entitles you to commision free purchases abroad which I thought might be of interest. Details here:-

http://www.nationwide.co.uk/creditcard/select-credit-card/offer-deals.htm

I've decided to give it a try. :tup

I cut my crdit card and sent it back a couple of years ago after they managed to block the thing for 3 US holidays on the trot. Once they did it twice in 3 days! This was despite the fact I told them I was going to the US each time. Twice they blocked a transaction with the same company despite processing the 25% deposit with the same firm they then refused to pay out the balance.

having said that the holiday insurance they give you with the flex account seems to look OK, (Europe only)

Hi de Hi, was that a Nationwide cc? Each time I've asked them if I need to let them know I'm going abroad they've told me no. However, that was for using my debit card and I've never had a problem using that in the ATMs.

We've never had any problems with our debit cards abroad and we do use them a lot. However, this CC I thought was a good idea seeing as they don't charge commission on purchase abroad. I'll probably just use it for when we travel

shirley h wrote:

I've already got mine ready to use in corfu if needed :tup

You'll have to let me know what you think of it Shirley as I won't be using mine any time soon as we've had our holiday

I also had problems with their Gold card a couple of years ago when they blocked it. When I called them they told me I should have told them I was going abroad, despite their website still saying at the time that you didn't need to contact them as they had such good fraud prevention measures in place. They finally removed that statement after I made a formal complaint.

When I asked if they needed to be told about a debit card they said they didn't "as that is you own money you would be losing".

They actually called me to check if some transactions were genuine one MONTH after the date of the transactions. Fat lot of good that would have been if they had been fraudulent.

I refused their Select card when it was introduced as I had found far better alternatives between them starting to charge for using the debit card and eventually introducing the Select card. I managed to persuade them to let me continue to keep the Gold card it was replacing as the free extended warranty with that is far more benefit to me.

luci

What was the better alternative you found Luci?

I must admit we rarely use a cc abroad, but thought this one might come in handy just in case we ever wanted to make a large purchase. I haven't accepted it yet.

The Halifax Clarity card gives perfect rates on purchases abroad, the same as the Select card, but you can also withdraw cash on it with perfect rates and no fees or loading. All you pay is the interest which is only 1% a month and less if you pay if off quicker. You also get £5 a month if you spend £300 on it if you have a Rewards current account.

The Post Office card also gives perfect rates.

Don't get me wrong, the Select card is a very good card for using abroad. It just came too late for me.

luci

Is the Halifax card using the visa rates?

You'll have to let me know what you think of it Shirley as I won't be using mine any time soon as we've had our holiday

Will do Glynis Like you, I don't normally use a cc abroad but thought I'd get the select card because of the commision free buying abroad. I applied for it especially for this reason but have used it a couple of times for small purchases just to 'authenticate it' so to speak. Didn't want to use it for the first time abroad in case it looked suspicious. If I'm not mistaken, I think it pays some cashback too.

I'll have to try and remember to let then know I'm going abroad, just in case.

luci HT Mod wrote:

The Halifax Clarity card gives perfect rates on purchases abroad, the same as the Select card, but you can also withdraw cash on it with perfect rates and no fees or loading. All you pay is the interest which is only 1% a month and less if you pay if off quicker. You also get £5 a month if you spend £300 on it if you have a Rewards current account.

I'll have a look at the Clarity Card Luci as I have a Halifax current account too (Nationwide is our joint account) - Thanks.

shirley h wrote:

If I'm not mistaken, I think it pays some cashback too.

Just had a look and it says :-

Unlimited cashback – 0.5% on all sterling purchases

There is also an Aqua Reward card recently launched which gives perfect rates abroad and pays 3% cashback, including overseas purchases, up to £100 a year. It is good for people who don't have a perfect credit rating. However the credit limit is low at between £250 and £1600. £12 fee and cashback cancelled if a payment is late.

luci

Cheers Luci

shirley h wrote:

Hi de Hi, was that a Nationwide cc? Each time I've asked them if I need to let them know I'm going abroad they've told me no. However, that was for using my debit card and I've never had a problem using that in the ATMs.

Yes it was a CC.

They also blocked my debit card once in Canada (We made the Daily Mail with that one)! Luckily we had our eldest son with us and we borrowed money off him!

And yes each time I rang them and they said they didn't need to know even when I told them that this was to prevent them blocking the card yet again. I could even tell them the name of the company and the amount of money they would be taking, 'fine' they said but they still blocked the card! They also rang me at 3am in the morning to tell me! (9am in the UK). That was the second time in a week about 6 hours after I had spent ages (and a fortune) on the phone getting the card unblocked because they decided the cafeteria at Chicago Zoo were fruadulently trying to charge me for my lunch!

I have a Santander Zero card now.

For the Nationwide CC, I phoned them to let them know I was going abroad & had no problems. With the debit card, usually I've had no problem, but when I was doing some internet banking, I think there was a part of it to let them know, I was going abroad. Just gave dates & where I was going.

That's correct Misshighlander. You can let nationwide know through their website if you're taking your debit card abroad but you have to telephone them to tell them about your credit card.

That's what I did in February, since I was going to Seville. At least I got to see what a blue sky & sunshine looked like. As the weather in Scotland has constantly been grey & rain.