How to reduce card fees when abroad

Filed in archive consumer issues on September 16, 2008

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UK residents should think very carefully about which credit and debit cards they use when they travel abroad. APH have produced comparison tables which illustrate the difference in card fees between different providers. It certainly looks like the best way to fund your holiday spending is by using a Nationwide debit card where there are no charges for either paying for purchases or withdrawing cash. Whereas if you use a Halifax debit card you'll be charge 2.75% plus a £1.50 fee per purchase and a £1.50 fee for a cash withdrawal.

If you travel abroad several times a year these charges could add up to a a few hundred pounds. probably enough to pay for another holiday. The recent fall in the value of the pounds against currencies such as the euro and the US dollar is already making travel abroad more expensive for we Brits so don't shell out on unnecessary card fees too.