Alternatives to Nationwide Card in France

[lee2]

For several years we have taken advantage of the Nationwide Account which let us pay our supermarket/restaurant bills in France without charges. Unfortunately they stopped this service last October - I think something similar is available from Saga. Any other ideas please?

 

[Clive-Cardiff]

The Nationwide credit card is still OK to use without charges. I now use a Caxton FX card for ATM withdrawals, it can also be used for ordinary spending. It is a preload card so any money you pay into your account is immediately converted to euros.

 

[Adria542Chick]

We were also thinking of the Caxton card, as they seem to be the cheapest on cash withdrawals.
We didn't want to apply for a credit card just to take to on holiday.
I did do some research and the Caxton card came out on top overall.

 

[iansoady]

Another alternative is the Santander Zero card which does not charge either for purchases or cash withdrawals - although it does start charging interestfrom the withdrawal date, it's still cheaper than alternatives.
I got mine some years ago but I suspect there is now some restriction on who can get them (eg must have a current account with Santander).

 

[RayS]

I've got a Caxton card for the first time this year and it seems generally ok. You can top up and check balance etc. either on-line or by SMS txt. Worked in filling station but not at unmanned motorway toll booth. I have not taken this up with Caxton yet but plan to do so in due course. Have yet to try it for ATM in Spain.
You need to keep a keen eye on the exchange rate to see the best time to top up - the Desktop Currency Gadget in W7 and Vista is very handy for this.

 

[ValA.]

Though you do pay a charge with the Nationwide now, it's still one of the lowest charges, and their actual exchange rate is higher than the CaxtonFX or FairFx (today 1.175 compared to 1.15) - so provided you're withdrawing in amounts of more than around 150 euros (150 x 117.5 minus 4.00 charges = 176.21) where the FairFX would be 172.50 - but then you'd have to 'buy' the card in the first place. I think the difference, to be honest, is so marginal as to make it not worth the hassle of having to fill in more on-line forms, set up new passwords, and so on! I think we'll just stick with what we have and think 'well, at least I don't have another password to remember, or another card to register on my lost cards account!').

 

[lee2]

Thank you all for your replies. I thinkthat like Val A. we may just stay with the Nationwide and pay the extra costs.