OT: Nationwide instead of Currency.

[Iain Chapman]

Hi All,

Sorry - this is a tad OT - but related to DLRP in preparation for my upcoming trip .

I'm under the impression that it's better to use a Nationwide account - instead of taking wads of Euros or Traveller Cheques when going aboard.

Does anyone know what I should be looking at - the Nationwide Debit Card or Credit Card - or both?.

How's best to use them?.

Any information gratefully received.

Thanks

 

[Cyrano]

I think this is entirely on topic with DLP

We had both for our trip but in reality used them very differently. The credit card was used to pay for most purchases - meals and merchandise. The debit card I load with cash and used it for withdrawing euros from ATMs

 

[mummyal]

It's the credit card that you should be looking at. It's great in that you don't get charged commission (or conversion rate or whatever it's called... lol) when you use it abroad. We already had one (which was lucky!) as I had applied for it a few years back when I opened my Nationwide current a/c. They still charge you for cash withdrawals - not sure how much though.

We brought enough Euros for buying little snacks or lunch or other bits & bobts but used the credit card for dinner/bigger bills.

HTH.

Alice

 

[Ware Bears]

When we go to DLRP we take some euros for snacks/drinks/icecreams/tips etc but put our table service meals and major shopping purchases on our Nationwide credit cards. If we start running low on euros we start paying for counter service meals with the cards too. I've never bothered with travellers cheques for DLRP but do for USA ~ I like a mixture of dollars, T/Cs and C/Cs there.

We've only got the credit cards ~ we've got the cashback ones so provided you pay off the balance each month they are actually paying you something for the pleasure of using them!

 

[mummyal]

Oops sorry, didn't know that the debit card didn't charge commission either. I had only read about the credit card and didn't bother checking whether it was the same with the debit card. I'll go to bed now... lol.

 

[diamond57]

Just a little warning, I took a Nationwide credit card and a small amount of cash - but then my credit card would not work in the three shops I tried it in. I phoned Nationwide while I was there and they had not even seen an attempt at a transaction. I have since used the card fine back in England, so I do not think it was a problem with the card - they also tried using the chip and swiping it.

 

[Ware Bears]

I remember you saying you had problems with your card. What makes it worse is that it is working back home, you would feel better if something was wrong with the card!

Think this is a good example not to rely on just one card (debit or credit) alone. As an added precaution I do always notify my credit card companies of the dates I am going to be abroad.

 

[Cyrano]

Think this is a good example not to rely on just one card (debit or credit) alone. As an added precaution I do always notify my credit card companies of the dates I am going to be abroad.

Good advice

 

[nifferwilko]

I've got both of them (the debit card and the credit card) and use it in pretty much the same way as everyone else. The debit card is used to withdraw cash from the cash machines and the credit card is used for all my purchases (and it does get overused!!) The rate is a lot better than getting money before you go and I've never had a problem using my card (and it's been used in France, Germany, Ireland and America - poor little card) but I do recommend doing what Elaine recommended and calling your card companies before you leave so they don't stop your card thinking it's been stolen!!!!!

 

[sweetiepie71]

Just a word of warning. We got a Nationwide current account purely for holiday spending last year. We had an amount of money in it, say £1000 yes?

Went to France and used the cash machine with the debit card to take out money. I had a conversion chart based on the exchange rate I was told that the Nationwide used so kept track of what my balance should have been. When I got home I checked my balance as I should have had £100 left, but was actually £10 overdrawn. The rate is NOT as good as they lead you to believe. Also you can't check your balance whilst you are in France. Next time we will just take cash.

 

[chrismoo]

Just a word of warning. We got a Nationwide current account purely for holiday spending last year. We had an amount of money in it, say £1000 yes?

Went to France and used the cash machine with the debit card to take out money. I had a conversion chart based on the exchange rate I was told that the Nationwide used so kept track of what my balance should have been. When I got home I checked my balance as I should have had £100 left, but was actually £10 overdrawn. The rate is NOT as good as they lead you to believe. Also you can't check your balance whilst you are in France. Next time we will just take cash.

I'm sorry but no rate could be £110 wrong, there was either an error with one of the machines when you used it (eg it gave too much money or not enough etc) or you just worked it out wrong.

The nationwide credit card & their debit card gave an excellent rate when used in the USA.

 

[Ware Bears]

The nationwide credit card & their debit card gave an excellent rate when used in the USA.

I agree ~ we've always had very good rates with Nationwide both in US and France. Most other lenders load their rates by as much as 2.75%.

I had a conversion chart based on the exchange rate I was told that the Nationwide used so kept track of what my balance should have been

Remember that exchange rates are constantly changing so this can only be a guide. You can get a different exchange rate from two transactions only a couple of minutes apart. for you though, it must have been a big shock to find your balance not what you were expecting it to be.

 

[bavaria]

It is definitely worth doing the research before you leave home. I use my Bank of America debit card at Deutsche Bank with zero fee to withdraw (don't know the bank in France but I can do the same there). When I used my Bank of America credit card to pay the 9 Euro mini bar bill (I know, I know) the international transaction fee came to about $6.

I have bank accounts in three countries and always research the best option now before I travel. I used to just use cards blindly and ended up paying a lot of money in fees that I could have used myself!

 

[Raci]

When we are at DLP I plan on taking some Euros in cash for 'smaller' purchases and using Credit Card for larger purchases/table service meals.

My Q is this:
I already have 2 credit cards, what is the benefit of a Nationwide one over others? Or will cards from other companies work just as well?
I've never used cc's abroad before so have no idea how the system works.

Thanks for any advice anyone could pass on!

 

[bavaria]

Raci, I would call your credit card company and ask what percentage they charge as foreign transaction fees. This can vary widely; sometimes a percentage, sometimes a dollar/euro amount. It can even vary on cards offered by the same bank.

I carry cards issued in various countries and use them depending on where I am as I have done my homework (after paying far too much in fees in past!)

My Bank of America debit card works well when I am in Germany as I withdraw from Deutsche Bank, but if I forget and use my Bank of America credit card, I get dinged with heavy fees. If I use the debit card as a charge card (it's a Visa debit) I get charged a foreign transation fee. For credit card purchases in Germany I use a Canadian card which charges a much lower foreign transaction fee.

Have I confused you yet?

 

[Cyrano]

The nationwide credit card & their debit card gave an excellent rate when used in the USA.

Because it is a bank rate not a tourist rate we were definitely better off with the Euro exchange when we came home. Nationwide credit card will be with us along with debit card

 

[Raci]

Thanks!
I'll def give them a ring and find out some more. I don't want to pay anymore in charges than I have to!

 

[Groovee]

Just a little warning, I took a Nationwide credit card and a small amount of cash - but then my credit card would not work in the three shops I tried it in. I phoned Nationwide while I was there and they had not even seen an attempt at a transaction. I have since used the card fine back in England, so I do not think it was a problem with the card - they also tried using the chip and swiping it.

A fair few of the DLP shops had problems with our nationwide debit card. We ended up having to use our resort pink card instead for purchases.

 

[sjaakie]

A fair few of the DLP shops had problems with our nationwide debit card. We ended up having to use our resort pink card instead for purchases.

We always use only the pink resort card for the shops and restaurants. At the end of your stay you pay only one transaction.

 

[cstokell]

We always use only the pink resort card for the shops and restaurants. At the end of your stay you pay only one transaction.

This is what we do as well. (With Nationwide credit card) Makes it much easier plus our credit cards are left safely locked up in the room safe.