Money on Tour

daviddd

quite - I will have at least 1 back-up card.

alittlecrazy

daviddd wrote:

I think I'll stick with the good 'ol Co-op Bank, besides, changing bank accounts is a tortuous process as a rule. Plus the new bank require money to be paid in every month too, and in my case of course I won't be earning any...

Unless the rules have changed, Nationwide do not require you to put money in each month, but you will not get the best interest rate unless you do put in the set amount. You can still have the account but the interest rate will be slightly less. However, once you have the Flexaccount you can open up a subsidiary account online called the eSavings account, which offers great interest. Keep most of your money in there, keep a float in the Flexaccount. We have travelled through Canada, Japan, all over Europe and Morocco and never been charged anything with our Flexaccount. It is a lifesaver!

nicktheluddite

post on old thread - BUT.... Nationwide seem to have changed their rules so using flex account debit card now carries a bit more commission. Probably means that they cost as much as everyone else, but no worse.

Joycie

Fairly sure that the Nationwide Flex account is still one of (if not the) best on the market for low charges abroad

wjhall

Nationwide may now pass on a fee for transactions in certain countries. There is a list on their website. This did not seem to apply to any European countries.

andymiller

Very useful article here:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel ... avel-money

Recommendations are:

- best credit card - Santander Zero;
- best debit card - Nationwide Flexaccount (they recommend using with an e-savings account to get round Nationwide's restrictions);
- best prepaid account - Fairfx.com