Debit Cards

[tigger137]

Has anyone used their Maestro (Switch) card in shops or restaurants in the States?

I've used mine at an ATM but never tried anywhere else. I know that as long as the card has the Maestro symbol we should be able to use it, I've just never tried it.

I'm thinking of using it to pay for shopping and meals, just as would here in the UK, instead of travellers cheques. But I have visions of the check-out person or waiter looking at it as if it's from another planet!

 

[DISWolves]

Has anyone used their Maestro (Switch) card in shops or restaurants in the States?

I've used mine at an ATM but never tried anywhere else. I know that as long as the card has the Maestro symbol we should be able to use it, I've just never tried it.

I'm thinking of using it to pay for shopping and meals, just as would here in the UK, instead of travellers cheques. But I have visions of the check-out person or waiter looking at it as if it's from another planet!

Have not used Maestro there, but can highly recommend Nationwide CC. There is no foreign transaction charge and you also get the current business exchange rate (best I got was $2.06 in August). I also know that Post Office card has similar 'perks' and I think that Wayne has mentioned Audi credit card also

 

[wayneg]

You need to check with your bank(might be on their website). I used my debit card by mistake last year, luckily for only 1 transaction as they charged a £1.50 fee, made the $7 of ice creams very expensive.
The best credit cards to use are Nationwide, post Office or Audi, last time I checked all free to use abroad and full interbank rate. Others use Nationwides debit card, I never have as I like to get an extra months free credit and earn an extra months interest on my money

 

[Claire L]

You need to check with your bank(might be on their website). I used my debit card by mistake last year, luckily for only 1 transaction as they charged a £1.50 fee, made the $7 of ice creams very expensive.
The best credit cards to use are Nationwide, post Office or Audi, last time I checked all free to use abroad and full interbank rate. Others use Nationwides debit card, I never have as I like to get an extra months free credit and earn an extra months interest on my money

Thomas Cook card is also fee free for use abroad Plus you get 1% back in TC travel pounds.

Claire

 

[wayneg]

Thomas Cook card is also fee free for use abroad Plus you get 1% back in TC travel pounds.

Claire

Thx another to add to the list. Great deal for anyone that uses TC.
I love my Virgin AmEx card for earning Virgin miles. Just got my statement today another 7,000 miles added for this months spend.

 

[valb14]

My husband used his natwest maestro card while away last week.
There was an additional charge added by natwest - for conversions apparently- but the card was accepted everywhere we tried to use it- walmart, the parks etc.
The only thing that came up was Walmart wanted extra photographic I D from him on one purchase, but that was a few hundred dollars so it could have just been an extra check that would occur on any card use!
You should have no trouble, just be aware that the extra chage will add to the general cheapness of the goods!!!

 

[alisonbestford]

Haven't used my Halifax debit card in the US but used it to buy insect repellant in Greece, last year, and was charged a £1.50 fee

 

[wayneg]

Haven't used my Halifax debit card in the US but used it to buy insect repellant in Greece, last year, and was charged a £1.50 fee

It was Halifax debit card I was talking about in post #3 of this thread, £1.50 fee in US.

 

[jen_uk]

DH used his Maestro card this year and at a couple of places including Universal it was refused.

 

[gavvy]

Maestro is def not as widly accepted as visa or mastercard, so unless you are going to use it as in an ATM - which you should not have any problems doing then its best not to totaly depend on it.

 

[mark&sue]

Wayne what is the Audi card? I have not heard of that one.


Susan

 

[wayneg]

Wayne what is the Audi card? I have not heard of that one.


Susan

This is from their main page but read T&C's to see exactly what they charge for.

http://www.audi.co.uk/audi/uk/en2/financial_services/audi_card.html

"We don't conform to the standard industry practice of charging you a 2.75% handling fee on foreign exchange currency, so you won't be charged when using your card abroad."

 

[mark&sue]

Thanks for the information Wayne. Mark has an audi and we both have audi car insurance so it may be something he will be interested in for the future.


Susan