Using ATMs abroad - best bank?

CryptKeeper · 29 May 2006 at 17:55

I'm currently with Bank of Scotland and they have stupid charges for using your card abroad. I head nationwide or natwest have no charges for such transactions, but was wondering if their exchange rates were worse or something? I'm going to China soon for quite a while and don't mind changing banks to get the best rates for using my ATM card over there.

Any help/suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks

Glaucus · 29 May 2006 at 17:58

theres an advert on tv at them moment, which is advertsing free withdrawls abroad. Unfortunatley I can't remember wich bank.

(so not much help, but it does exist)

paradigm · 29 May 2006 at 18:12

Acidhell2, you are thinking of nationwide I think. Same company doing the adverts for "brand new customers only"

Chronos-X · 29 May 2006 at 18:12

Again, its like changing your money "for free" at the post office - all swings and roundabouts as you will lose out on the exchange rate

You'll have to do the sums yourself and see if there's a clear saving to be made.

jamoor · 29 May 2006 at 18:47

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

clv101 · 29 May 2006 at 18:52

Nationwide’s credit card uniquely has no foreign exchange loading anywhere in the world.

The Nationwide's Flexaccount Visa Debit card trumps all the other cards as it doesn’t load anywhere in the world, is free of interest (unless you’re overdrawn) and doesn’t charge for withdrawing cash.

I have a Nationwide CC which I use exclusively for spending in other currencies - not just when travelling but also when ordering online in euros or dollars.

Kitchster_uk · 29 May 2006 at 18:55

No bankis great at everything. Nationwide is a building society - not a bank and as such, I would not want my baning with them. How much do you go abroad? If it's a regular thing, for around £100 a year, most banks will do your travel insurance and allow free overseas withdrawals

McDaniel · 29 May 2006 at 18:55

It is only Nationwide afaik, and in regards to the exchange rate i believe all the UK banks use the same? so that shouldnt matter to much.

Also if your gonna be out there for a considerable term, maybe you should setup a Euro/Dollar card instead, be more beneficial for you

Heliospherez · 29 May 2006 at 19:20

Have always used Nationwide CC (Visa) and debit card abroad and found both were very widely accepted (and their security and Online account checking is brilliant) - In fact I have 6 different accounts with them and have never had a single problem with their service in 12 years. I think they charge you using the CC - but not the Visa Debit card (as a foreign exchange cash transfer) although I could be wrong.

I also have a American Express and Mastercard (both of which I have had problems with when drawing money out, and when handing in to outlets)