Don’t be left in the cold when using cards abroad

Over £70 million lost by holidaymakers in unnecessary bank charges last winter, Nationwide Building Society is urging winter holidaymakers not to make the same mistake as last year and to instead avoid unnecessary bank charges.

Last winter over £70 million was paid to card providers in foreign usage fees. People heading abroad for a city break or a skiing trip should make the switch to one of Nationwide’s credit or debit cards, that all offer free card use abroad, and enjoy savings of up to £81 on the average holiday.

Nationwide’s free card use abroad has already saved holidaymakers millions of pounds. Last summer, Nationwide credit card customers alone were nearly £6.5 million better off.

Nationwide’s credit and debit cards save people money and are a convenient way of spending abroad. There are now more than 20 million VISA outlets across the globe, including shops, restaurants, hotels and car hire companies.

With 24 hour access to over 855,000 VISA ATMs worldwide, Nationwide’s cardholders have easy access to their money. Holidaymakers do not have to exchange money prior to travelling and can avoid the hassle of exchanging travellers’ cheques. Nationwide is the only current account provider not to charge its customers for using their debit cards in ATMs abroad and therefore offers a free and easy way of withdrawing cash.

Jeremy Wood, divisional director at Nationwide, said: “Whilst recovering from the big Christmas spend, those planning to go abroad this winter should be aware of the hidden charges that most card providers impose which people can ill-afford at this, or anytime of the year. Anyone using a Nationwide FlexAccount debit card or credit card will not be charged any foreign usage fees and will have extra money to enjoy while on holiday.”