ChasB Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 I am planning a trip to France at the end of May and it was my intention to use my credit card similar to previous years to make purchases such as fuel, food, site fees etc. However I have just found out that I will be charged 2.75% on all transactions within the EU. This is a new charge since this time last year. This applies both to my Nat West Access and Caravan Club Mastercard. I know I could use cash for all purchases but then there is a risk of a substantial loss in the event of theft. I resent giving the banks and credit card companies 2.75% of all I spend. Does anyone know of a credit card company that does not make these charges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasper Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Try looking on the Martin Lewis website www.moneysavingexpert.com He has several article on which credit card is best for you and a specific article on which card to use on holiday. Think this will cover all the info you need. It's also an excellent site for all other financial issues - big and small. Jaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randonneur Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 If you are 50+ get a Saga card. No exchange rate charges on using it abroad as far as I am aware. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Nationwide do not make a charge for credit card payments. They do not even make a charge for drawing cash from machine with DEBIT CARD.Roy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Ord Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Hi, I opened a Flexaccount with Nationwide.There are no charges world wide. I use their Debit Card. It requires an opening amount of £1. I transfer money to this account before travelling and move it out if necessary when I'm home. You can obtain a Nationwide credit card which also doesn't attract charges. It's getting harder all the time to find cards which don't charge. The Caravan Club card used to have no charges in the EU but was taken over by another bank and since October 2006 has charges for overseas use. Bill Ord Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 We applied for a Nationwide card last week, once we get it I'll confirm what the situation is which hopefully is no charges! 8-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Bill Ord - 2007-04-20 5:31 PM Hi, I opened a Flexaccount with Nationwide.There are no charges world wide. I use their Debit Card. It requires an opening amount of £1. I transfer money to this account before travelling and move it out if necessary when I'm home. You can obtain a Nationwide credit card which also doesn't attract charges. It's getting harder all the time to find cards which don't charge. The Caravan Club card used to have no charges in the EU but was taken over by another bank and since October 2006 has charges for overseas use. Bill Ord But Bill, they pay half reasonable interest on your balance if you leave the money in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Isn't there a debit card from the PO that has no charges? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trigrem Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Chas B Just used my Nationwide credit card in USA, no charges on purchases, also used Debit card for withdrawing cash, no charges. So will use it exclusively in France during June. Used to use caravan Club card but since they introduced charges have not used it and will probably end account. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 colin - 2007-04-20 7:31 PM Isn't there a debit card from the PO that has no charges? Just had a look at the Post Office website: 0% on balance transfer for the first 8 months (2.5% balance transfer fee) 0% on purchases for the first 3 months 0% commission on purchases abroad More info from: http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump1?catId=19400177&mediaId=34100665 As for Caravan Club, yup that's why we've applied for the Nationwide card to get free purchases abroad but we'll still use the Caravan Club card in the UK as we get the free night vouchers which come in handy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
empress Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Like others have said, we too use Nationwide with no problems. Empress Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyishuk Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 The POffice have a card which you pay up front before you go and money can be drawn down to ££ zero. It can be topped up by a phone call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo3090 Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 We have a Euro debit card with Lloyds Bank. We opened an account off shore in the Isle of man, (you can do it through your local branch of LLoyds), then before we go we change sterling into Euros and then we can draw the money straight from the account at an ATM machine like you do in the UK. The charges are worked out in advance so you know what you are paying. There are no commission charges as it already is in Euros. We have used it widely in Spain in shops, cafes and petrol stations with no problems at all. Be aware though that all Spanish banks will charge you for drawing out cash from an ATM, even if you have an account with them and you are in credit! So don't keep going back every couple of days! I don't know what bank charges are levied in France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChasB Posted April 20, 2007 Author Share Posted April 20, 2007 Thanks for your replies. I looked at the site that Jasper recommended. I think the general consensus of opinion is that the Nationwide Credit Card fits the bill. If any one wants this information the link is below. http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1106765397,71685, :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayjsj Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 ChasB - 2007-04-20 5:03 PM I resent giving the banks and credit card companies 2.75% of all I spend. Does anyone know of a credit card company that does not make these charges. Yes, Nationwide make no extra charges for use in the EU. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith T Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 One othere aspect to this - if no actual flat or %age fee is paid, check if the rate of exchange is less favourable! It's the old story of any 'product ' having to be paid for, one way or another, and 'credit' is no different. You merely choose where you buy (whether it's goods or money) and pay the price at that particular 'shop'....... For several years now, we've used a Euro Credit card account with Cater Allen (part of the Abbey Group), send them funds in UK£, they convert at a 'commercial rate' (better than the tourist rate), and we can use the card in Euroland without fees, whether for cash form the ATMs or for purchase of goods/fuel etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek500 Posted April 21, 2007 Share Posted April 21, 2007 Tomo3090 - 2007-04-20 9:30 PM Be aware though that all Spanish banks will charge you for drawing out cash from an ATM, even if you have an account with them and you are in credit! I've got an Abbey International Visa CC and there are a few banks that don't charge commision on cash withdrawals here in Spain. Also there is no charge for using as a CC and you get interbank rates worldwide. With my Spanish bank account, some banks here in Spain charge 2.80 euros for a withdrawal!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOTORHOMER Posted April 21, 2007 Share Posted April 21, 2007 Yes there is a Post Office card that is free from charges for EU countries . It is fairly new so know little about it. Motorhomer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek500 Posted April 21, 2007 Share Posted April 21, 2007 MOTORHOMER - 2007-04-21 12:12 PM Yes there is a Post Office card that is free from charges for EU countries . It is fairly new so know little about it. Motorhomer According to the Post Office website there is a 2% cash withdrawal fee. Quote:- Charges Cash Advances are subject to a handling fee of 2% subject to a minimum of £2.00. A cross-border fee of 0% will be applied to any Transactions taking place outside the UK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twooks Posted April 21, 2007 Share Posted April 21, 2007 Most consumer sites - like Which and moneysavingexpert recommend Nationwide, we've been with them for years and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them as well. They don't have shareholders - just members and so I guess don't have the same driving need to rip everyone off!! :-> B-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted April 21, 2007 Share Posted April 21, 2007 I assume that everyone knows there is a charge made for every credit card transaction in the UK, not just in europe? Its just that this charge is not usualy shown sepperatly on a bill and most shops and garages in effect charge debit card and cash customers a little extra to sub the credit card users, those shops like travel agencies etc that charge you extra for credit card use are in fact being fairer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOTORHOMER Posted April 21, 2007 Share Posted April 21, 2007 Hello A cash advance is borrowing money you have not got so yes there would be a charge if you use any credit card ie visa to do this even in France etc. . Drawing money out from a cash machine via Nationwide flex card is your own money so there is no charge. In France etc most credit card companies charge commission when making purchases whereas the post office visa card as far as i am aware do not and neither does nation wide. The post office card as faf as i know is a credit card only . Motorhomer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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