 Poster: A snowHead
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I've just been reminded that I have a Post Office credit card tucked away and here's why you might like to know why...
They don't charge a fee for using it abroad. Unlike other cards who will charge around 2.5% /trx, usually with a minimum fee of a couple of quid, the Post Office one doesn't. That's got to be worth a few extra beers (if I could only remember the PIN!).
(other cards may offer a similar facility, I do not work for the post office  )
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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yup, listening to martin on radio 5live right now and it was him who reminded me. ta for the link.
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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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likely bcos they screw you on the rate instead.
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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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| gangstarrrrr wrote: |
| likely bcos they screw you on the rate instead. |
Not as far as I can see. The most recent check I did on my PO credit card was in France in January. I used both it and a Tesco credit card (which charges for foreign transactions) on the same days and found, as I had before, that the exchange rate was the same.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Nationwide credit card doesn't charge a fee or load the exchange rate for European transactions.
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| Nixtoo wrote: |
| Nationwide credit card doesn't charge a fee or load the exchange rate for European transactions. |
Are you sure that's still the case ? I used to have one precisely for that reason but I believe that they changed their T&Cs which is why I dumped it and got the Halifax one instead which is the recommended as the best card to use abroad now.
In my experience you need to keep checking these things as they can be changed and you don't always realise.
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Halifax Clarity CC doesn't charge any fees and is incredibly reasonable with its exchange rates.
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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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dsoutar, I think the Nationwide Select one doesn't if you also have a Nationwide Flexaccount.
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| Quote: |
Nixtoo wrote:
Nationwide credit card doesn't charge a fee or load the exchange rate for European transactions.
Are you sure that's still the case ? I used to have one precisely for that reason but I believe that they changed their T&Cs which is why I dumped it and got the Halifax one instead which is the recommended as the best card to use abroad now.
In my experience you need to keep checking these things as they can be changed and you don't always realise.
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As far as I know it's still good for existing customers, possibly not for new ones. I'll know for sure after next week in Tignes.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Quote: |
Nixtoo wrote:
Nationwide credit card doesn't charge a fee or load the exchange rate for European transactions.
Are you sure that's still the case ? I used to have one precisely for that reason but I believe that they changed their T&Cs which is why I dumped it and got the Halifax one instead which is the recommended as the best card to use abroad now.
In my experience you need to keep checking these things as they can be changed and you don't always realise.
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As far as I know it's still good for existing customers, possibly not for new ones. I'll know for sure after next week in Tignes.
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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 stopped using my nationwide card as something changed, can't remember what. Like Hells Bells said I think it is still good if you use the account as your main account.
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If you have the black Nationwide card with grey graphics, it isn't good. The grey card with black graphics is for current account holders and has no transaction fees.
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You know it makes sense.
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The change with Nationwide was on the debit card which used to be no loading and what they call "perfect" exchange rate so you could just draw cash from the cashpoint? The credit card (at least the one I have) still has no loading and perfect rate.
Money saving expert really is the best source for this sort of stuff.
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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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I used to have a Nationwide Flex card. This was a Visa debit card and it did not add anything beyond the Visa exchange rate (a fraction of a percent). However, that changed a couple of years ago and they now charge 2.5% on top - or something like that.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Its the nationwide credit card I have and it hasn't charged me anything on all my recent transactions in France. I've had it for years, so not sure what the deal is for new customers
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Yeah I used to have a Nationwide card but they started charging for most places. They changed it, I dumped it.
I picked up the Post Office (Bank of Ireland) card. They charge *nothing* above the VISA rate *anywhere*.
Most people (including in this thread) will swear that they're paying nothing extra, but they are looking for charges on their bill. The extra charge is in the small print, but not on the bill. They "roll it all up" into the exchange and don't advertise the fact you're paying 1.75 or more often 2.75% over the VISA rate. That's why you need to read the small print. Or don't, and be happy, but you're still paying.
If you're using one of those cards-for-people-who-don't-read-the-contract then, well, you're paying more than those who do.
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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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philwig, even on cash withdrawals?
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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've stuck with NW credit card which I've had for years, it's zero charge interbank rate for the European countries I need it for. Metro bank debit card for cash withdrawals which gives similar.
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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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| philwig wrote: |
Most people (including in this thread) will swear that they're paying nothing extra, but they are looking for charges on their bill. The extra charge is in the small print, but not on the bill. They "roll it all up" into the exchange and don't advertise the fact you're paying 1.75 or more often 2.75% over the VISA rate. . |
I don't follow. In the transactions I mentioned above, Tesco Visa charged 2.5% transaction fee and the Post Office didn't. Both made the exchange at the same rate. In my simple arithmetic, that made the PO card cheaper, no hidden catches. So what am I missing?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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You're missing nothing: the Post Office (Bank of Ireland) card does not charge you, but Tesco does. That's why I use a PO card abroad.
Cash transactions are a slightly different question, but actually I recently researched that as I needed to shift a large amount of cash to North America....
The main problem if you're using a credit card (any credit card) for a cash withdrawal is the interest charges, which often (but not always) accrue from the date of withdrawal. You can in principle get around that by loading the card up first. However my bank card is a Visa Debit card, with free cash withdrawals (no 2.75% loading), so if I need cash that's the obvious way to go for me for that reason.
On your specific question, you'd have to check each specific card to see if they hit you with the extra charges for withdrawals (and also how they charge interest). They have to say it in the small print, just not in your bill. There is a campaign to change that policy as clearly most people don't realize they're being ripped off.
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Thanks philwig, So I'm not one of the "Most people (including in this thread" 
On the matter of cash withdrawals, my bank (RBS) makes ridiculous charges on my debit card abroad but again the Post Office has a useful alternative in its Travel Money Card. I have one which I can charge up in sterling for outwith EU travel and one which I charge up in euros. Much cheaper.
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