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Hi

I have been thinking of what to do this year, having always had our N.W. account. We do have a safe in our motorhome though for passports and cash. Probably just take more cash than normal to start with, and then use our debit card as normal.

We got our safe from Argos and it is bolted under a seat (which means we sleep on it)

Mrs Billy

Quote: Originally posted by Val A on 28/2/2011

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I suppose, in real terms, we're looking at differences of perhaps only a few euros between being safe and using a card, and being 'risky' and taking cash.  I'd have to ask myself if it was worth it - after all we're on holiday and at the end of the day, the difference between one and the other is perhaps just a few extra coffees - certainly for us as we don't take, or spend, anything like £1,500.  I've just worked out £500 at today's 'Bank' rate (Nationwide at 1.17) and Tourist rates (M and S at 1.12) and the difference is around 25 euros in favour of Nationwide, so even if we made five withdrawals at 4.00 euros charges each time, we'd be 5 euros up on the deal sticking to our Nationwide card.  The FairFx card today gives 1.15 so would balance almost exactly with the Nationwide by the time charges were added to the Nationwide!

So, to save the hassle of having to think about it a great deal, we'll just stick with what we've got and have no added form-filling, on-line passwords, off-line phone calls, and continue with our Nationwide card.  At least it does give the advantage of a really good exchange rate.

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It's all very complicated isn't it?! Our budget is about £2500 including campsite fees etc, and was planning on taking cash, but the Nationwide rate is so much better.

My problem is that I had a bad experience with the NW card two years ago. All our money was on the NW card, and it got chewed by a machine (that broke down mid transaction, at 7pm on a Saturday) three days before we were due to come home. We had absolutely no way of accessing any cash as our other account (normal account) was emptyish as it was the end of the month. We ended up having to get family to go online and transfer cash to our regular bank account as a faster payment so we could pay the campsite fees and tolls home. Nationwide were no help and we racked up about £50 in mobile phone charges.

Am wondering if it might be possible to add hubbys name to the Nationwide account so he could have a card too, then if something happened to one, we'd have a back up. I just don't think I can spend two weeks panicking every time I put the card into a machine in case I don't see it again!   

We have relied on our Nationwide current account for France.  Now that NW charge for transactions and withdrawals, we have considered taking a substantial amount of Euros. But the security risk, even with care, cannot be denied.  Don't know much about the NW credit card, as I have one credit card with a permanently low APR of 6%.   Will have to look at the NW card for short term use.

Bertie.

Quote: Originally posted by saxo1 on 02/3/2011

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I have a Halifax Clarity card that I use abroad and also have my N/Wide flex account and credit card for backup.
You could make your main account with N/Wide into a joint account and you would both have cards issued.
Saxo1

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Problem with that is that if you lose one and notify your bank then they will stop payment on both. Better for partners to keep a spare card in another account .... just for back-up. 

Quote: Originally posted by saxo1 on 03/3/2011

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"Problem with that is that if you lose one and notify your bank then they will stop payment on both. Better for partners to keep a spare card in another account .... just for back-up"
I thought that untill this January, my debit card on our joint account was blocked because N/Wide flagged up what they thought was a suspicious transaction but we were still able to use my O/H's card.
Although the cards are on the same account the last 4 digits of the 16 digit no are different.
Saxo1

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Quote: Originally posted by saxo1 on 03/3/2011

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"Problem with that is that if you lose one and notify your bank then they will stop payment on both. Better for partners to keep a spare card in another account .... just for back-up"


I thought that untill this January, my debit card on our joint account was blocked because N/Wide flagged up what they thought was a suspicious transaction but we were still able to use my O/H's card.
Although the cards are on the same account the last 4 digits of the 16 digit no are different.
Saxo1

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