cash cards overseas

[better lucky than clever]

hi guys,
just seeking a little clarification. i'm a relative novice planning my first great escape onto the continent. i don't much like this talk about french cash points/fuel pumps dropping £100 out of yer account everytime you use them! is this still a problem or has it been taken care of? i'm with hsbc if that makes any difference?
cheers
d
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you have to die of something!

[instigator]

[Itchy]

Was still an issue mid 2008, I negated it using BMW mans technique in 2007 ie taking out at a cash point the limit of the machine which would last 2-4 days which should clear the back log.

Oh and I bank with 4 banks to negate this further.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[better lucky than clever]

Ouch, bad luck mate. thats exactly the sort of crap i'd expect, poxy banks not letting you have your own money!! i'm guessing cold hard cash in my pocket may be the answer.
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you have to die of something!

[RidersRest]

It must depend on the card you are using as I have never experienced this and I have been touring Europe for quite a few years. I use Switch (now Maestro); MBNA Visa; and Mastercard, and have never had an issue (except once my visa being frozen because they thought it had been stolen and used abroad nobs)

Most of the fuel stations now take all UK cards my son did have a problem with his Barclays card because he didn't tell them he was going abroad...

I would say carry cash and use your cards, dependant on which bank you are with will depend on how cheap it is, I have found it is cheaper to use my card to get cash from an ATM in France than useing the some travel agents and post office for euros...

I have some tips for bikers traveling to France (europe) here if you care to browse

Some thing to remember when touring on a bike and using paeges is always pay cash if you can because if you use a card on the CB lane you will be charged the going rate for a car.

HSBC are quite good and have branches in the cities here in France - remember to let them know you are going to europe so they are expecting you to withdraw money from the EU and don't cancel your card for your security....
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RidersRest Bikers only B&B in the beautiful Central Massif - France
Touring France not sure where to go? Central Massif on a motorcycle...

[Itchy]

[RidersRest]

[better lucky than clever]

excellent information there. thanks. i've got a set of soft luggage (cheap tech 7 panniers, small tank bag, will be taking missus so she'll have a small backpack) any tips for security? i guess i'd be nervous about leaving the panniers unattended even if the valuables were with us. and sorry for sounding like a complete noob, but whats the "insurance green card"? do insurance companies generally make a big deal of you going abroad?
thanks again,
d
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you have to die of something!

[Itchy]

nah don't make her wear a rucksack , rucksacks are tiring to wear on bike for long distances , as for security just keep valuables in the tank bag and remove when you get off the bike, the paniers keep the unvaluable stuff in them , and padlock them if you feel necessary I didn't feel it necessary though.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[better lucky than clever]

[Itchy]

depends what bike you have actually , in that R1lad managed to strap a large amount of luggage to his non existant pillion seat on his triple. The CBR600F for example has a large sticky out tail pod area you can use this if you take off the grab rail and balance half on the seat and half on the tail pod.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[better lucky than clever]

[Phoenix]

The best cards to use at Nationwide VISA debit or credit cards or the Royal Mail credit card. These are the only 3 cards that are 0% on foreign transactions and they give you the VISA exchange rate at the time of the transaction which is exactly what the exchange rate is on somewhere like XE.com, it's the best way to use money abroad. If you use a generic bank debit or credit card you will get stung on high foreign transaction fees, often giving you a worse exchange rate than taking cash to a bureau de change.

The only thing you'll get stung for with the above 3 cards is if you do the usual of getting cash out of an ATM using the credit cards as it's subject to cash advance fee.

I used both Nationwide debit and credit cards on my trip and experienced no issues with holding charges or the likes, Nationwide also specify that you don't have to inform them if you go abroad, I haven't the last 3 times i've been abroad and not had a problem, but had 2 normal cards for emergency backup.

[RidersRest]

Did I mention I live in France

@better lucky than clever - where are you planning on heading on your tour I might be of help...

I too would not recommend a back pack for your pillion fatigue and not safe in an off. Pack light you don't need half the stuff you are going to pack - think about B&B and cheap hotels to save carrying all that camping gear. Also if you are going to enjoy some good rideouts you might consider going to one or two places and setting up a base there.

This means you can dump all your luggage and go for a ride in comfort and enjoy the roads, and if you do the tourist thing and get off the bike and wonder round you do not have to worry about security of your gear.

Interestingly in rural France and outside of the cities & major towns theiving is not normal, unless you leave your valuables in full view and tempting you will be reletivly safe.
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RidersRest Bikers only B&B in the beautiful Central Massif - France
Touring France not sure where to go? Central Massif on a motorcycle...

[RidersRest]

[better lucky than clever]

hey,
plan to head out in late june/early july. probably for two wks. would like to save a bit of cash on hotels ect if possible so plan to take camping gear. current plan to go south along west coast of france, spend a bit of time in the pyrenees, andorra. then cut over to the med, find a few quiet beaches on the east coast. having read some of itchys adventures i wouldn't mind seeing castellane. would also love to see the millau viaduct. then depeding on time maybe monaco, possibly up to the italian lakes, then home via bruge!
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you have to die of something!

[SonofABiker]

Better Lucky then Clever:

I work for HSBC fraud/chargebacks department. I warn you now, HSBC in particular are... touchy, when it comes to overseas transactions. Its not us trying to "do you over" when it comes to getting the money back, far from it!

Its Visa/Mastercard regulations that make it horrendously drawn out and complicated.

Now, just to let you know, you'll be swapping over to Visa Debit cards within this year, when your card expiry date is up youll be issued (free of charge) with a Visa debit (permanent change) this makes it MUCH safer abroad, and much easier to use, as well as less likely HSBC will be stopping cards etc.

With regards to Euro rates etc, remember its FREE to use your card for payments (NOT TO WITHDRAW CASH) abroad, but its the percentage that gets ya with cash withdrawals (im not trying to sell HSBC products here,) the only way you get around that is to go to HSBC Plus upgrade.. thats up to you, id advise to look into it first.

I would consider having (if you have one) a credit card handy in case of nessecity, and using that for purchases (its easier to get money back) if you go BEFORE getting your Visa card (chargeback regulations etc dont count with Maestro...)

I hope that helps, if its a bit confusing, then PM me and ill try explaining it a bit more simpler.
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I need a break!

[battleaxe]

As has been said open a Nationwide account, used mine in France, Spain, even the British Virgin Islands no problem, get the bank rate of the day, spot on
B-A
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It's better to say nothing and appear an idiot, than open your mouth and prove the point

[theopj]

Yep used Nationwide Credit and Debit cards on my tour last year -France, Germany, Austria, Swizterland and Italy. The only places I had problems were a few cashpoints in Italy (in smaller towns), and the automated petrol pumps (but you can use cash). The manned petrol stations were fine.

I don't use the Nationwide as my main account either so it only had a limited fund it that I topped up when I needed to. If I had used my Lloyds account I would have been charged £1 a time for every time i used the card, or £2 for cash withdrawls.

Was checking my account online when I could and didn't notice the french machines taking £100 a time.
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Suzuki Bandit SA 1250 & Honda CB750F2T

[sagalout]

Definitely happened to us in October 2008.

I think it was only the automated petrol stations on the paeges that was a problem. Didn't actually affect us as had plenty of money in the bank, but I did notice that everytime I filled up with 20Euros of petrol then filled up later in the day the available balance had jumped down by about 100euros.

Using the normal garages seemed fine.

Cant remember if I was using my electron debit or visa credit at the time.
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Current Bike: Triumph Speed Triple T309
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