Hi have heards loads lately on here on the topic of using your nationwide 
card on holiday.
Was just checking is this the normal debit card that comes with the flex 
account or a credit card from nationwide.
Am off to one of the Greek isle on wednesday and was wondering should i take 
travelers cheques of just take some small euro for when i arrive then hit 
the local ATM for some more when i need it.
Also can you use any ATM or do i need to check that there is an ATM where im 
going.I know this might sound silly buit as i have never used my card on 
holiday before am not sure what to do.
Any help mosy welcome
regards
TIA
Caroline

It's the debit card from the Flex Account you use, no foreign transaction 
fees & usually a decent exchange rate as well.
If you use the credit card to withdraw cash, you'll be charged extra, though 
you can use the credit card to pay bills & again there's no foreign 
transaction fee.
Unless you're going to the back of beyond, then there'll be ATMs around.

"cal" <cal.hodgson@remove.me.ntlworld.com.ukukuk> wrote in message 
news:948Le.3356$2C5.1546@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...

> Hi have heards loads lately on here on the topic of using your nationwide 
> card on holiday.
> Was just checking is this the normal debit card that comes with the flex 
> account or a credit card from nationwide.
> Am off to one of the Greek isle on wednesday and was wondering should i 
> take travelers cheques of just take some small euro for when i arrive then 
> hit the local ATM for some more when i need it.
> Also can you use any ATM or do i need to check that there is an ATM where 
> im going.I know this might sound silly buit as i have never used my card 
> on holiday before am not sure what to do.
> Any help mosy welcome
> regards
> TIA
> Caroline
>
> 

Cheers Ken
Im of to Kos so i hope it is'nt the back of beyond
and yes it is the debit card that i have so that seems great
Do i have to inform my branch that i will be using my card
Thanks for the help
Regards
Cal

"Ken"  wrote in message 
news:42fd1288$0$17466$ed2e19e4@ptn-nntp-reader04.plus.net...

> It's the debit card from the Flex Account you use, no foreign transaction 
> fees & usually a decent exchange rate as well.
> If you use the credit card to withdraw cash, you'll be charged extra, 
> though you can use the credit card to pay bills & again there's no foreign 
> transaction fee.
> Unless you're going to the back of beyond, then there'll be ATMs around.
>
> "cal" <cal.hodgson@remove.me.ntlworld.com.ukukuk> wrote in message 
> news:948Le.3356$2C5.1546@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
>> Hi have heards loads lately on here on the topic of using your nationwide 
>> card on holiday.
>> Was just checking is this the normal debit card that comes with the flex 
>> account or a credit card from nationwide.
>> Am off to one of the Greek isle on wednesday and was wondering should i 
>> take travelers cheques of just take some small euro for when i arrive 
>> then hit the local ATM for some more when i need it.
>> Also can you use any ATM or do i need to check that there is an ATM where 
>> im going.I know this might sound silly buit as i have never used my card 
>> on holiday before am not sure what to do.
>> Any help mosy welcome
>> regards
>> TIA
>> Caroline
>>
>>
>
> 

"cal" <cal.hodgson@remove.me.ntlworld.com.ukukuk> wrote in message 
news:SE8Le.3358$2C5.2843@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...

> Do i have to inform my branch that i will be using my card
> Thanks for the help
> Regards
> Cal


You've told the rest of the world so why not ?   :)

On Fri, 12 Aug 2005 21:37:54 GMT, "cal"
<cal.hodgson@remove.me.ntlworld.com.ukukuk> wrote:


>Im of to Kos so i hope it is'nt the back of beyond
>and yes it is the debit card that i have so that seems great
>Do i have to inform my branch that i will be using my card


Some banks do like customers to let them know if they plan to use
credit or debit cards abroad and may refuse to authorise a transaction
if they haven't been told in advance.  I have both credit and debit
cards from Nationwide, have never told them about my foreign travel
plans and I've never had any trouble using the cards.  But it wouldn't
do any harm to make a phone call first, just in case.

I generally take a very small amount of foreign currency with me and
hit the ATMs as soon as I arrive.  In every single case (and I do a
fair amount of travelling), the rate applied to the Nationwide card is
much better (typically 5 to 10 %) than the best deal on foreign
currency in this country.

Do note that this only applies to Nationwide cards.  Every other UK
bank and building society (as far as I know) charge fees for the
currency conversion when using either debit or credit cards abroad and
use a conversion rate that's favourable to them and not to the
customer.  Nationwide are unique in not charging fees and they also
use a very favourable inter-bank currency conversion rate that's much
better than the tourist rate.

[I know this sounds like an advertisement, but they deserve the
praise.  Honest!]

Mike.

cal wrote:

> Cheers Ken
> Im of to Kos so i hope it is'nt the back of beyond
> and yes it is the debit card that i have so that seems great
> Do i have to inform my branch that i will be using my card
> Thanks for the help
> Regards
> Cal
> 
> "Ken"  wrote in message 
> news:42fd1288$0$17466$ed2e19e4@ptn-nntp-reader04.plus.net...
> 
>>It's the debit card from the Flex Account you use, no foreign transaction 
>>fees & usually a decent exchange rate as well.
>>If you use the credit card to withdraw cash, you'll be charged extra, 
>>though you can use the credit card to pay bills & again there's no foreign 
>>transaction fee.
>>Unless you're going to the back of beyond, then there'll be ATMs around.
>>
>>"cal" <cal.hodgson@remove.me.ntlworld.com.ukukuk> wrote in message 
>>news:948Le.3356$2C5.1546@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
>>
>>>Hi have heards loads lately on here on the topic of using your nationwide 
>>>card on holiday.
>>>Was just checking is this the normal debit card that comes with the flex 
>>>account or a credit card from nationwide.
>>>Am off to one of the Greek isle on wednesday and was wondering should i 
>>>take travelers cheques of just take some small euro for when i arrive 
>>>then hit the local ATM for some more when i need it.
>>>Also can you use any ATM or do i need to check that there is an ATM where 
>>>im going.I know this might sound silly buit as i have never used my card 
>>>on holiday before am not sure what to do.
>>>Any help mosy welcome
>>>regards
>>>TIA
>>>Caroline
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
> 
> 

Try this website http://www.agni.gr/ it's where we have got our 
information from before going to the Greek islands. If you want to know 
about ATM's post a question in the relevant forum

Trev

Hi
thanks everyone for your help
regards
Cal

"Trevor"  wrote in message 
news:3m4mmeF15fna4U1@individual.net...

> cal wrote:
>> Cheers Ken
>> Im of to Kos so i hope it is'nt the back of beyond
>> and yes it is the debit card that i have so that seems great
>> Do i have to inform my branch that i will be using my card
>> Thanks for the help
>> Regards
>> Cal
>>
>> "Ken"  wrote in message 
>> news:42fd1288$0$17466$ed2e19e4@ptn-nntp-reader04.plus.net...
>>
>>>It's the debit card from the Flex Account you use, no foreign transaction 
>>>fees & usually a decent exchange rate as well.
>>>If you use the credit card to withdraw cash, you'll be charged extra, 
>>>though you can use the credit card to pay bills & again there's no 
>>>foreign transaction fee.
>>>Unless you're going to the back of beyond, then there'll be ATMs around.
>>>
>>>"cal" <cal.hodgson@remove.me.ntlworld.com.ukukuk> wrote in message 
>>>news:948Le.3356$2C5.1546@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
>>>
>>>>Hi have heards loads lately on here on the topic of using your 
>>>>nationwide card on holiday.
>>>>Was just checking is this the normal debit card that comes with the flex 
>>>>account or a credit card from nationwide.
>>>>Am off to one of the Greek isle on wednesday and was wondering should i 
>>>>take travelers cheques of just take some small euro for when i arrive 
>>>>then hit the local ATM for some more when i need it.
>>>>Also can you use any ATM or do i need to check that there is an ATM 
>>>>where im going.I know this might sound silly buit as i have never used 
>>>>my card on holiday before am not sure what to do.
>>>>Any help mosy welcome
>>>>regards
>>>>TIA
>>>>Caroline
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
> Try this website http://www.agni.gr/ it's where we have got our 
> information from before going to the Greek islands. If you want to know 
> about ATM's post a question in the relevant forum
>
> Trev 

In article <nlbLe.4969$6i5.2021@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net>, 
cal.hodgson@remove.me.ntlworld.com.ukukuk says...

> Hi
> thanks everyone for your help
> regards
> Cal
> 
> "Trevor"  wrote in message 
> news:3m4mmeF15fna4U1@individual.net...
> > cal wrote:
> >> Cheers Ken
> >> Im of to Kos so i hope it is'nt the back of beyond
> >> and yes it is the debit card that i have so that seems great
> >> Do i have to inform my branch that i will be using my card
> >> Thanks for the help
> >> Regards
> >> Cal
> >>
> >> "Ken"  wrote in message 
> >> news:42fd1288$0$17466$ed2e19e4@ptn-nntp-reader04.plus.net...
> >>
> >>>It's the debit card from the Flex Account you use, no foreign transaction 
> >>>fees & usually a decent exchange rate as well.
> >>>If you use the credit card to withdraw cash, you'll be charged extra, 
> >>>though you can use the credit card to pay bills & again there's no 
> >>>foreign transaction fee.
> >>>Unless you're going to the back of beyond, then there'll be ATMs around.
> >>>
> >>>"cal" <cal.hodgson@remove.me.ntlworld.com.ukukuk> wrote in message 
> >>>news:948Le.3356$2C5.1546@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
> >>>
> >>>>Hi have heards loads lately on here on the topic of using your 
> >>>>nationwide card on holiday.
> >>>>Was just checking is this the normal debit card that comes with the flex 
> >>>>account or a credit card from nationwide.
> >>>>Am off to one of the Greek isle on wednesday and was wondering should i 
> >>>>take travelers cheques of just take some small euro for when i arrive 
> >>>>then hit the local ATM for some more when i need it.
> >>>>Also can you use any ATM or do i need to check that there is an ATM 
> >>>>where im going.I know this might sound silly buit as i have never used 
> >>>>my card on holiday before am not sure what to do.
> >>>>Any help mosy welcome
> >>>>regards
> >>>>TIA
> >>>>Caroline
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> > Try this website http://www.agni.gr/ it's where we have got our 
> > information from before going to the Greek islands. If you want to know 
> > about ATM's post a question in the relevant forum
> >
> > Trev 
> 
> 
> 

You might find this an interesting read:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?
newsid1106765397,71685,

Always have some cash to meet your immediate emergency requirements and 
carry a card that is totally independent of the one you plan to use (so 
for example you wouldn't carry HSBC and First Direct cards). This allows 
you to get money in case your preferred bank has a system failure or 
there is a problem with your particular account (like the council's 
taken 3 months' council tax in one go).

Your best bet is to use the plastic to pay for things in shops to 
minimise the number of trips to the cash machine.

"equinox"  wrote in message 
news:MPG.1d68526162a244b9896e5@text.news.ntlworld.com...

> In article <nlbLe.4969$6i5.2021@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net>,
> cal.hodgson@remove.me.ntlworld.com.ukukuk says...
>> Hi
>> thanks everyone for your help
>> regards
>> Cal
>>
>> "Trevor"  wrote in message
>> news:3m4mmeF15fna4U1@individual.net...
>> > cal wrote:
>> >> Cheers Ken
>> >> Im of to Kos so i hope it is'nt the back of beyond
>> >> and yes it is the debit card that i have so that seems great
>> >> Do i have to inform my branch that i will be using my card
>> >> Thanks for the help
>> >> Regards
>> >> Cal
>> >>
>> >> "Ken"  wrote in message
>> >> news:42fd1288$0$17466$ed2e19e4@ptn-nntp-reader04.plus.net...
>> >>
>> >>>It's the debit card from the Flex Account you use, no foreign 
>> >>>transaction
>> >>>fees & usually a decent exchange rate as well.
>> >>>If you use the credit card to withdraw cash, you'll be charged extra,
>> >>>though you can use the credit card to pay bills & again there's no
>> >>>foreign transaction fee.
>> >>>Unless you're going to the back of beyond, then there'll be ATMs 
>> >>>around.
>> >>>
>> >>>"cal" <cal.hodgson@remove.me.ntlworld.com.ukukuk> wrote in message
>> >>>news:948Le.3356$2C5.1546@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
>> >>>
>> >>>>Hi have heards loads lately on here on the topic of using your
>> >>>>nationwide card on holiday.
>> >>>>Was just checking is this the normal debit card that comes with the 
>> >>>>flex
>> >>>>account or a credit card from nationwide.
>> >>>>Am off to one of the Greek isle on wednesday and was wondering should 
>> >>>>i
>> >>>>take travelers cheques of just take some small euro for when i arrive
>> >>>>then hit the local ATM for some more when i need it.
>> >>>>Also can you use any ATM or do i need to check that there is an ATM
>> >>>>where im going.I know this might sound silly buit as i have never 
>> >>>>used
>> >>>>my card on holiday before am not sure what to do.
>> >>>>Any help mosy welcome
>> >>>>regards
>> >>>>TIA
>> >>>>Caroline
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>
>> >>
>> > Try this website http://www.agni.gr/ it's where we have got our
>> > information from before going to the Greek islands. If you want to know
>> > about ATM's post a question in the relevant forum
>> >
>> > Trev
>>
>>
>>
> You might find this an interesting read:
>
> http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?
> newsid1106765397,71685,
>
> Always have some cash to meet your immediate emergency requirements and
> carry a card that is totally independent of the one you plan to use (so
> for example you wouldn't carry HSBC and First Direct cards). This allows
> you to get money in case your preferred bank has a system failure or
> there is a problem with your particular account (like the council's
> taken 3 months' council tax in one go).
>
>

I have a Nationwide Flex Account purely for overseas travel - it's separate 
from my primary account at another financial institution and has no direct 
debit set up. I keep a minimum balance and just top-up with 500 or 1,000 
(or whatever) just before my next trip, and transfer the balance out (minus 
50 or so) after my return. I do take my card linked to my primary account 
just in case - never had to use it so far.

>
>
> Your best bet is to use the plastic to pay for things in shops to
> minimise the number of trips to the cash machine.
>
>

Good idea. Just beware that increasing number of establishments are using 
DCC (dynamic currency conversion) to charge you in sterling instead of local 
currency and screw you with poor exchange rates (certainly compared to 
Nationwide, whose rates are virtually identical to interbank and has no 
charges). Insist to be charged in local currency - you may face hassle 
though, as the merchant gets a cut from the currency conversion.

Alec

Hi
thanks to every one for the help
have found some good information and will make sure I put it to good use
regards
cal

"Alec"  wrote in message 
news:42fe50fd$0$6482$cc9e4d1f@news-text.dial.pipex.com...

>
> "equinox"  wrote in message 
> news:MPG.1d68526162a244b9896e5@text.news.ntlworld.com...
>> In article <nlbLe.4969$6i5.2021@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net>,
>> cal.hodgson@remove.me.ntlworld.com.ukukuk says...
>>> Hi
>>> thanks everyone for your help
>>> regards
>>> Cal
>>>
>>> "Trevor"  wrote in message
>>> news:3m4mmeF15fna4U1@individual.net...
>>> > cal wrote:
>>> >> Cheers Ken
>>> >> Im of to Kos so i hope it is'nt the back of beyond
>>> >> and yes it is the debit card that i have so that seems great
>>> >> Do i have to inform my branch that i will be using my card
>>> >> Thanks for the help
>>> >> Regards
>>> >> Cal
>>> >>
>>> >> "Ken"  wrote in message
>>> >> news:42fd1288$0$17466$ed2e19e4@ptn-nntp-reader04.plus.net...
>>> >>
>>> >>>It's the debit card from the Flex Account you use, no foreign 
>>> >>>transaction
>>> >>>fees & usually a decent exchange rate as well.
>>> >>>If you use the credit card to withdraw cash, you'll be charged extra,
>>> >>>though you can use the credit card to pay bills & again there's no
>>> >>>foreign transaction fee.
>>> >>>Unless you're going to the back of beyond, then there'll be ATMs 
>>> >>>around.
>>> >>>
>>> >>>"cal" <cal.hodgson@remove.me.ntlworld.com.ukukuk> wrote in message
>>> >>>news:948Le.3356$2C5.1546@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
>>> >>>
>>> >>>>Hi have heards loads lately on here on the topic of using your
>>> >>>>nationwide card on holiday.
>>> >>>>Was just checking is this the normal debit card that comes with the 
>>> >>>>flex
>>> >>>>account or a credit card from nationwide.
>>> >>>>Am off to one of the Greek isle on wednesday and was wondering 
>>> >>>>should i
>>> >>>>take travelers cheques of just take some small euro for when i 
>>> >>>>arrive
>>> >>>>then hit the local ATM for some more when i need it.
>>> >>>>Also can you use any ATM or do i need to check that there is an ATM
>>> >>>>where im going.I know this might sound silly buit as i have never 
>>> >>>>used
>>> >>>>my card on holiday before am not sure what to do.
>>> >>>>Any help mosy welcome
>>> >>>>regards
>>> >>>>TIA
>>> >>>>Caroline
>>> >>>>
>>> >>>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> > Try this website http://www.agni.gr/ it's where we have got our
>>> > information from before going to the Greek islands. If you want to 
>>> > know
>>> > about ATM's post a question in the relevant forum
>>> >
>>> > Trev
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> You might find this an interesting read:
>>
>> http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?
>> newsid1106765397,71685,
>>
>> Always have some cash to meet your immediate emergency requirements and
>> carry a card that is totally independent of the one you plan to use (so
>> for example you wouldn't carry HSBC and First Direct cards). This allows
>> you to get money in case your preferred bank has a system failure or
>> there is a problem with your particular account (like the council's
>> taken 3 months' council tax in one go).
>>
>>
> I have a Nationwide Flex Account purely for overseas travel - it's 
> separate from my primary account at another financial institution and has 
> no direct debit set up. I keep a minimum balance and just top-up with 500 
> or 1,000 (or whatever) just before my next trip, and transfer the balance 
> out (minus 50 or so) after my return. I do take my card linked to my 
> primary account just in case - never had to use it so far.
>>
>>
>> Your best bet is to use the plastic to pay for things in shops to
>> minimise the number of trips to the cash machine.
>>
>>
> Good idea. Just beware that increasing number of establishments are using 
> DCC (dynamic currency conversion) to charge you in sterling instead of 
> local currency and screw you with poor exchange rates (certainly compared 
> to Nationwide, whose rates are virtually identical to interbank and has no 
> charges). Insist to be charged in local currency - you may face hassle 
> though, as the merchant gets a cut from the currency conversion.
>
> Alec
> 

On Fri, 12 Aug 2005 21:37:54 GMT, cal wrote...


> Im of to Kos so i hope it is'nt the back of beyond


Lovely place. We went to Kardamena a couple of years ago and had a 
wonderful time - and yes, there were plenty of ATM's!

Enjoy yourself :-)

-- 
EMail address is disposable and never checked.
Outgoing message is certified VIRUS FREE by
*me* using nothing more than common sense.

On 13/08/2005 19:53 equinox wrote:


> Always have some cash to meet your immediate emergency requirements and 
> carry a card that is totally independent of the one you plan to use


If there are two of you travelling, make sure you each of you is 
carrying an additional card that the other one isn't. That way, if you 
have to cancel a card (or cards!) after losing it or having it stolen 
one of you still has a working card.

My wife had her purse lifted in Dublin a few years back. All of the 
cards she had in there had to be cancelled which meant that all of mine 
were too, apart from the one 'different' card I was carrying and which 
we were able to use until we returned home and got replacements.

-- 
F

(Beware of spam trap - remove the negative)

CHEERS ALL
thanks for all your help
will just say have heard a few horror stories over the last 2 days from 
friends who have just gone on holiday and have had some strange happenings 
with the cards the used at Gatwick before they left
so if you are off like me I would say be careful what you use your card for 
at Gatwick just in case.
thanks and best regards
cal

"F"  wrote in message 
news:42ff24d5$0$1278$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net...

> On 13/08/2005 19:53 equinox wrote:
>
>> Always have some cash to meet your immediate emergency requirements and 
>> carry a card that is totally independent of the one you plan to use
>
> If there are two of you travelling, make sure you each of you is carrying 
> an additional card that the other one isn't. That way, if you have to 
> cancel a card (or cards!) after losing it or having it stolen one of you 
> still has a working card.
>
> My wife had her purse lifted in Dublin a few years back. All of the cards 
> she had in there had to be cancelled which meant that all of mine were 
> too, apart from the one 'different' card I was carrying and which we were 
> able to use until we returned home and got replacements.
>
> -- 
> F
>
> (Beware of spam trap - remove the negative)