Nationwide Debit Cards Abroad

Yes, I gather from press reports (though not from Nationwide itself) that that's about to happen.

Being able to do fee-less overseas transactions was the only reason I opened the account! Damn!

As from November. But the credit card will still be fee-free for purchases in Europe.

90

Yup. According to Martin Lewis the Halifax Clarity seems to be the best bet for cash withdrawals abroad. No fees but it charges immediate interest, so I guess the thing to do is pay it off as soon as you get back off holiday (or pre-load it if they allow it).

Is the debit card no longer fee free in the EU? I was aware it had changed for the rest of the world.

In message , Steve writes

It is still free in the EU, apparently. "Andy Pandy" corrected me on that, see his post. :-)

The last time I used mine in an ATM was in America some years ago.

I don't think it will still be free. As I read the new fee structure, it will be the same everywhere in the world (outside the UK) and charged at 2% plus £1. So for a £50 cash withdrawal it would cost £2. A £100 withdrawal would cost £3.

Chris

Specifically, from their announcement:-

"From 1 November 2010, the Society will be making some additional changes to its current account including the introduction of a low charge for transactions in currencies other than sterling. This replaces the 1% third party foreign currency charge for point of sale transactions made outside of the Visa European region. "

Wich is a little ambiguous. ["icluding" ? / replaces ?]

As is their use of the word "abroad".

or, in other words, I dont know and will have to wait for the letter :-(

Flop

90 and it really is wonderful that we are going to be charged more - just be thankful that they are not putting their charges up

Yup. What I said was that the *credit* card will still be fee-free in Europe (for purchases).

See the link to the Nationwide press release in my other post.

The Guardian reported this on Saturday, and their interpretation was that the new fee structure will apply to Europe as well.

As you say, it is a bit ambiguous, but if Europe was still exempted I would have expected them to have jumped at the opportunity to present any positive aspect of their announcement.

Chris