Paying with your card outside the UK

Do I need to tell you I am going outside the UK?

If you are travelling outside of the EU or Turkey, please let us know. If you’re going to the EU or Turkey, you don’t need to tell us.

Can I use my debit and credit cards outside the UK?

If they will take card payments, you can pay by card there.

Will I be charged for paying by card when outside the UK?

If you buy something and it isn’t in sterling - say you pay for a big meal, with a euro price tag, using your debit card - then 2.75% of the payment’s value will be converted into sterling (via the Visa Scheme Exchange Rate) and charged to you.

I’ve been told I can pay outside the UK in pounds. Will I be charged for this?

Some retailers will give you the option of paying in pounds. By doing so, you will not be charged our currency conversion charge. However, it means they will be converting your funds into the relevant currency using their exchange rate. This rate may not be as good as the Visa Scheme Exchange Rate.

Withdrawing cash outside the UK

Can I withdraw cash using my debit or credit card when outside the UK?

When outside the UK, you can withdraw cash from any ATM with the Visa logo on it.

Will I be charged for withdrawing cash using my debit card when outside the UK?

If you withdraw non-sterling cash from an ATM, get non-sterling cash back from a store or purchase a traveller’s cheque, you’ll be charged our 2.75% currency conversion charge.

A foreign ATM is offering to convert my money into the currency of the country I’m in. Will I be charged for this?

Some ATMs will offer to convert your transaction into sterling using their exchange rate. For this service, you won't be charged our currency conversion charge.

Buying foreign currency

Why have I been charged for buying foreign currency using my Visa debit card?

The currency conversion charge is applied because we're converting the amount from foreign currency back to sterling.

Charges and rates

The table below shows a comparison of the overall costs of our travel services based on amounts of €100 and €1000 purchased on the same day.

Please note: Rates are correct on 1st June 2016 and are for comparison only. Rates are subject to change daily.

	Total cost for €100.00	Total cost for €1000.00
Debit card purchases and cash withdrawal	£80.00	£799.97
Credit card purchases	£80.00	£799.97
Credit card cash withdrawal	£83.00	£823.33

Total cost for €100.00
Debit card purchases and cash withdrawal	£80.00
Credit card purchases	£80.00
Credit card cash withdrawal	£83.00

Total cost for €1000.00
Debit card purchases and cash withdrawal	£799.97
Credit card purchases	£799.97
Credit card cash withdrawal	£823.33

Foreign transaction fees

For a detailed breakdown of the charges for each of the services we offer, including a comparison of different amounts, please see the charges below.

The currency and rates used below are for illustration only. Rates are correct on 1st June 2016 only. We use the Visa Scheme exchange rates which are subject to change daily.

Please note - there may be additional charges from the bank, retailer or cash machine where you use your card - you should be informed of these before you make the transaction.

Currency conversion charge

A currency conversion charge is applied to any payment made for cash goods or services using your debit card in a currency other than sterling. The transaction fee will be:

2.75% of the value of the transaction

Example

So, let’s say we’re working with an exchange rate of £1 being equal to €1.28442. If you paid for something that cost €100 using your debit card, this would be equal to £77.86.

However, on top of this, you would be charged 2.75% of the payment’s value as a ‘currency conversion charge.’ In this instance, the currency conversion charge would be £2.14.

So, buying something for €100 on your debit card would come to £80 in total.

Credit card foreign transaction fees

Foreign currency credit card payments

A currency conversion charge is applied to any payment made for cash goods or services using your credit card in a currency other than sterling. The transaction fee will be:

2.75% of the value of the transaction

Foreign currency cash withdrawals

What we charge for using your credit card when overseas.

This is charged in addition to a currency conversion charge.

3% of the value of the currency/cheques or £3.00 (whichever is greater)

Foreign currency fees

Purchase of foreign currency in the UK

If you use your debit card to purchase foreign currency from other retailers in the United Kingdom, such as Post Offices, Bureau de Change or travel agents we will not charge you a cash fee, however you may be charged for purchasing from another bank.

2% of the value of the currency or £2 (whichever is greater)

Wherever you’re going, you can pay for it