Credit / Debit Charges?!?!?!

[mrshindig]

I'm off on the 26th....

Flying Manchester - MCO with Virgin. I have everything sorted down to the last T. Apart from one thing!!

I always used my debit card when abroad untill last year I got £1 charges everytime I used my card. No-matter how much I spent!! Is there a credit / Debit card out there what I can use that doesn't have these charges. Even my AMERICAN express card has a 2.75% charge. You always get the best exchange rate when using Cards...... but it doesn't help having these charges

 

[MorningGlory]

Nationwide accounts dont incur any charges for foreign currency transactions

 

[wilma-bride]

I can second the recommendation for a Nationwide card. I got the Nationwide credit card last year, before we went, and the exchange rate they offer is pretty good and no charges for foreign transactions

 

[wifey]

Some cards charge 2-3 percent for the use of a card for purchases and cash machine (ATM) withdrawals made abroad but that said the exchange rate at the moment is very good so maybe it will not affect yout balance too much.

 

[kristieuk]

Nationwide debit and credit cards are the only ones that I know, unless you open a US$ account. You can apply for a credit card without a current account, but not sure if you have time before you go.

Have a fabulous holiday!

 

[tartangirl]

Another vote for the Nationwide debit & credit card.

Some Cash machines add a charge that is on top of anything else (I think some privately owned cash machines in this country do the same). We tend to use the machines at Publix as they were free (or at least they were last year).

 

[paulh]

another vote for nationwide CC/debit card.Just got our bill and got rooms we booked last week on it rate we got was $1.9844 .If you use the debit card at a fee paying atm at disney cost $5.00 per transaction,would surgest taking the max you can, if card limit is £300 you can take out $600 at todays rate of $2.023 .If you go to publix there atms were free to use last year so no fee to pay
Paulh

 

[mrshindig]

awesome...... natrionwaide it is. i think i've prob left it too late, which is a bummer. I always leave things till last minute. But its always good for future reference, nothing can put me down at the mo coz i'm gunna be in disney in 5 days!!!

 

[Twilight Terror]

I was worried about using my credit card on our last holiday and was unsure about the possible charges, so added 2% for everything I bought while I was away. However, I was very happy to discover that when I got my credit card bill when I got home, there were no extra charges on the card - just the purchases I made and with a very good exchange rate too. I never used my debit card, only my credit card. And for the record, I have a Lloyds TSB card.

 

[kristieuk]

I was worried about using my credit card on our last holiday and was unsure about the possible charges, so added 2% for everything I bought while I was away. However, I was very happy to discover that when I got my credit card bill when I got home, there were no extra charges on the card - just the purchases I made and with a very good exchange rate too. I never used my debit card, only my credit card. And for the record, I have a Lloyds TSB card.

I have a feeling I have read somewhere before that one of the Loyds TSB credit cards is similar to the Nationwide card in terms of not charging for foreign currency transactions. It might have been one of those money sites somewhere?? Maybe someone can confirm if that it is still the case?

What had me fooled for years was the way some cards 'build in' the charge to the exchange rate they use, instead of placing a separate charge on the bill, so it's not immediately obvious you have been charged. Let's face it, who knows if the $ rate went down a few cents halfway through their holiday?

 

[kristieuk]

Just had a quick look at the Lloyds TSB website and the t's and c's for the various cards they offer - they all say they charge a 2.75% fee for non sterling transactions, so looks it has changed, at least for new cardholders

 

[rpbert1]

I would vote for the Nationwide as well, only problem is i doubt you would get it in time for going, they can be very slow at processing them prob about 6 weeks or more.
I would call in to see them and apply at the branch,and see if they could get it for your holiday, does no harm in asking

 

[Twilight Terror]

Just had a quick look at the Lloyds TSB website and the t's and c's for the various cards they offer - they all say they charge a 2.75% fee for non sterling transactions, so looks it has changed, at least for new cardholders

Yes, I had a quick look at those and noticed something quite interesting. All their cards they now offer with either Mastercard or American Express - mine is Visa, so I wonder if that has something to do with it!

 

[dee slack]

The Post Office c/card has no fee for non-Stirling transactions as well as the Nationwide card. We have the Red Nose N/wide card as it also donates to chaity for using it.

 

[paulh]

. Let's face it, who knows if the $ rate went down a few cents halfway through their holiday?

call me sad but when i get up in the mornning on holiday i flick on the tv to the msnbc monney channel in room and before us markets open they have the $v£ rate comming up on the tickker.So i know the rate it is that day
Paulh

 

[wayneg]

call me sad but when i get up in the mornning on holiday i flick on the tv to the msnbc monney channel in room and before us markets open they have the $v£ rate comming up on the tickker.So i know the rate it is that day
Paulh

I am the same, every morning I boot laptop up to check emails and the exchange rate. Last 2 weeks were great knowing I could use my credit card at $2/£1, glad I didn't buy currency or travellers checks months ago.