 Poster: A snowHead
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@Gored,
I thought Nationwide had given up the free travel insurance
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@countryman, I've just got it on a packaged account. £13 per month, or £156 per annum. My renewal quote from LV was £210, so already a saving, plus it also gives me UK and EU breakdown cover (better than my RAC that I've just cancelled which cost £240) and mobile phone insurance for the whole family.
Edit: a Nationwide package account, obvs.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| Quote: |
I once had to give it to a pisteur on a snowmobile to return me to the correct side of the hill after all the lifts had closed... oops.
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 Cheap at twice the price @garyyb!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I have the Nationwide package too - but had to pay a lot extra insurance because of being likely to drop dead at any minute. 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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The retailer gets charged commission or fees on every transaction. Some (particular older contracts) can be expensive for them.
Those who only use card payments have no idea how much commission some small businesses are paying.
If the boot was on the other foot, and the customer paid the charges, there would be accusations of banks robbing customers.
Practically nobody would use cards after the first bill arrived.
Best using cash for smaller transactions as this is often beneficial to them, and could be the difference in profitability for some so that they will be there when you want to visit next year.
Plus there is another very important aspect this year, that has never been a issue before: The possibility of power outages in Europe.
It only takes an outage somewhere between you and your bank's computer and the transaction won't go through.
Best advice this year would be to carry some cash wherever you are going, just as a backup. 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I usually use cards for all the bigger purchases, ski hire, lift pass, and restaurant meals, but almost always pay cash in bars because it's easier to leave a tip that way and you don't end up with a load of small euro change.
In Austrian ski resort bars I always leave a tip with every round of drinks bought, that way you get good service and never have to wait too long before you get served your next drinks 
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| countryman wrote: |
@Gored,
I thought Nationwide had given up the free travel insurance |
not 100% sure, but I thought Flex account offered Free European cover for the free account- which has ended, but the Flex Plus with worldwide insurance is still going & costs £13 a month.
I travel worldwide (when I can!) & worldwide annual insurance usually costs more than the £13 a month fee for the flex plus account.
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We take a mixture and ask what the bar/restaurant etc prefer, anything to help them in potentially tough times.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Thanks for bringing this up. I haven't been to the Alps since pre covid, but a recent trip to MK snowdome reminded why I like doing this so have booked week in Austria for this February for me and my snowboard.
Before when I go to the mountains I took a fist full of Euros with me and just carried enough on me for lunch/apres drinks when I'm riding and leave card and phone and anything else I could loose or break in my hotel. With the shift to card only in many places (I very very rarely use cash in the UK these days) is this still a good idea? I'm heading to Zell am zee/Salbaach-Hinterglem, are most of the mountain huts/restraurants/apres bars/supermarkets there still taking cash?
Thanks for any info
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I have taken the same $92 to the US for about the last 10 years.... In Europe I have used Euro up the mountain occasionally, but it really is a rare thing for me to use cash. Always have some for cafe stops just in case.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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My bank account is in euros anyway so slightly different situation.
I did have a fag pack sized wallet, with chunky coin pocket, well used. Shops here wouldn’t take cards for less than €5.
Then COVID came, shops would accept cards for any amount (at least down to €1), and wife bought me a super thin wallet that takes max 9 cards (7 better), a few notes and max 2 coins.
So now I no longer pay cash and sadly I no longer tip as I literally don’t have the cash for it.
I wonder if they’ll bring in the US system for cards, “here is your payment, would you like to add a tip?” I know they make me feel uncomfortable; electronic chugging.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I have Revolut and Monzo cards. Way prefer monzo. I just top up before we go and add occasionally when needed
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I'm glad I asked this question as it's brought up some good points and made me check my credit card provider!
Turns out I am supposed to tell them I'm going to be using it abroad and what dates - probably to stop it flagging it up as fraud/stolen card etc. So I've just done that and had a look at the rates. Looks like I get charged 2.95% on transactions but no extra per transaction payment. So probably not too bad considering the cost of getting euros in cash. I am actually eligible for a CC that doesn't charge any commission but it is £15/month so not sure if its worth bothering when it will probably only cost me £30 if I spend £1k.
I'm off to Austria but driving so the reason I asked was because I'd suddenly realised it would be much easier paying for fuel and stop off hotels with the card.
I think I'll do as most suggest, take a bit of cash for the smaller things and emergencies but most of the time use the card.
Thanks
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You know it makes sense.
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@japes1275,
Might be enough time to open a Monzo account?
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Gored, or Starling. I have both but tend to use Starling as there’s no limit on free cash withdrawals abroad. Not that I ever go to the ATM any more!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Have used Nationwide credit cards with no loading for about 25 years …. a Which? recommendation. Still great rates attained in both the US and Eurozone when the bill comes in.
But have to take several €100’s in cash to Austria for the taxi transfers, some mountain restaurants when just buying a few hot drinks and also for the hotel tips box (the staff very much earn it).
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Monzo usually can get you a card in a couple of weeks. Well worth it.
I don’t have it as a main bank account. I just transfer when needed so it’s almost like a pre pay card
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Lucywuk, Starling (sounding like an ad here - I’ve no affiliation, just a happy customer!) have a brilliant sign-up process. Take a photo of your ID, then record a short video (I think Monzo is similar), approved in a few hours max. But then the REALLY smart thing is that as soon as it’s approved they give you the debit card details so you can immediately set it up for apple/garmin pay - no need to wait for the physical card.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I'm also pleased with Starling. Used Google Pay with Starling plus cash in Serfaus last year. Always handy to carry cash in Austria but cards/contactless are way more acceptable in Austria now.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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