Using Your Credit and Debit Cards Abroad Could Cost You a Small Fortune…

By: MoneyFacts

Lisa Taylor, analyst at Moneyfacts.co.uk – the money search engine, comments: “With travellers cheques becoming less popular more of us are opting for the convenience of using our plastic when we jet off on our holidays. However many travellers are unaware of the level of costs associated with using debit and credit cards whilst abroad.

“We take it for granted that using our debit cards is free of charge whilst on home soil, so it’s not surprising that some consumers are shocked when they see how the charges stack up after using their card on holiday. With terms such as retail conversion charge, and foreign usage charge, it can be confusing for travellers to know exactly what types of fees they will be liable for, and how much it’s likely to add to the cost of their trip.

“Last year £12.2 billion** was spent on credit cards by UK travellers overseas, resulting in a staggering £335.5 million in card charges, a figure that could be even greater, depending on how many of these transactions were to withdraw cash. A slightly smaller amount of £10.4 billion** was spent abroad on debit cards – and assuming an even split between retail purchases and cash withdrawals, this would total £390.25 million in charges. In total using our cards overseas cost UK travellers a massive £725.75 million. To put this figure into perspective this could pay for over 300,000 family holidays or buy over 70 million bottles of whisky at the duty free.

“So what charges can you expect to pay?

Credit cards
Foreign Usage Fee: Typically this will be a charge of 2.75%, this will be charged on both purchases and cash withdrawals. So for every £100 you spend an extra £2.75 will be charged.
Cash withdrawal charges: These are the same as you would pay in the UK, and will be charged in addition to any foreign usage fee. There is an upfront withdrawal charge, typically around 2.5% (with a minimum charge amount), and as well as this you will be charged interest from the date of the transaction, even if you repay your next statement in full.

Debit Cards
Withdrawing cash: If you use your debit card in an ATM you may face two charges: A cash conversion charge, typically 2.75% and also cash transaction charge generally 1.5%. So for every £100 you withdraw it could cost an extra £4.25.
Retail Spending: Again you could be faced with two charges for spending with your debit card in a shop. The first is a retail conversion charge, typically 2.75%, the second and less common is a retail transaction charge which can be £1.50 per transaction in some cases.

“While credit and debit cards can be a convenient way to manage your holiday spending, they can also put a dent in your holiday budget if you’re not careful. The average holidaymaker spent over £10 on commission fees in 2006 – and this is without taking into account the exchange rates used for converting the transactions.

”Using your card overseas can be a simple and hassle free way to manage your money on holiday, and with Nationwide debit cards, or the Nationwide / Post office credit cards it can be cost free too. But with any other cards you need to spend wisely, watch how and when you use your cards, small and frequent withdrawals from an ATM abroad can prove far more costly as opposed to a couple of withdrawals for larger amounts.

“But what does the 2.75% loading fee cover and who receives this commission payment - is it the card issuer or split with the ATM provider or retail outlet overseas? It is strange that a couple of card providers are able to provide the service without imposing the 2.75% fee, the fact that they are able to absorb the cost and not push it on to the customer makes you think that the cost involved may actually be far less than the amount being levied.”

Moneyfacts.co.uk top tips to overseas spending on your cards

1. Use a Nationwide debit card for any of your cash withdrawals – it’s the only debit card which will not cost you.
2. Use either your Nationwide debit card, or take advantage of your interest free days and use either a Post Office or Nationwide credit card for your purchases
3. Try not to use your credit card to withdraw funds overseas, as even the ‘free’ foreign usage cards will incur a cash withdrawal charge and interest from the date of withdrawal, even if you pay your card off in full.
4. Take a small amount of currency with you – as it may take a day or two to find a convenient ATM
5. Make sure you have a record of lost and stolen contact details for your card providers
6. Two weeks before you travel give your card provider a call, just to let them know where you are travelling to and for how long – this will lower the chances of your card being stopped if they consider regular foreign usage to be unusual activity on your card
7. Don’t rely on one card – if this is lost of stolen it may take a while for a replacement to reach you – keep a different card in your hotel safe
8. Often cash withdrawal fees will have a minimum charge, so withdrawing larger amounts less frequently is a more cost effective way to spend.

EXAMPLES: Credit Card Foreign Usage Charge

* All cards excluding i24 MasterCard where there is no charge for foreign usage. However, the card does have a £275 per annum fee and require an income of £50K plus.

EXAMPLES: Debit Card Foreign Usage Charge

• New rate w.e.f. 30.7.07
** Source APACS

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