will I have any problems using HSBC card abroad

[andy_s]

I have had a basic bank account with HSBC for 6 months due to debts. I have now been offered a job in Europe - wages paid into UK bank account. I am told my HSBC card will not work abroad. If I move to CO-OP, will I have any problems using their Electron card over there for ATM withdrawal and shop purchases?
PS It will be in the Canaries, if that may make a difference to mainland Spain

[carlmcmullen]

Last time i was in the Canaries i recall seeing the Electorn sign in alot of places so i think it is widely accepted.

You may want to consider a prepayment mastercard, although they may charge you for foreign transactions.

I belive the Virgin or Bread card are talked about in a possitive way on this forum.

[Soulgrowth]

I swear by the Cashplus card ... and I think that you can set up an standing order to have monet paid into it.

Debbie

[vickir]

I wouldn't recomend the Bread card, there is a lot of negativity on those at present, a lot of us have stopped using ours,
I've got friends in Adaje in Tenerife, hope you have a good time out there

[jpj]

I used my electron card in spain no probs last summer!
I would always reccommend advsing your card holder where you are going to , several times i have had my card stopped abroad due to "irregular shopping habits abroad " showing up on their security screening...

[Skippy]

I wouldn't recommend the Bread card anymore - I withdrew the money from mine and won't be using it again.

I've got a Virgin card and that seems ok, although if you are planning on using the card a lot I would recommend one of the cards that have a monthly fee rather than a per transaction fee.

[Emily]

Visa Electron has a bigger acceptance rate in Europe than in the UK?? So forget the HSBC basic Bank account card - like the A and L it is as basic as basic can be.....you wonder why they offer a product that they don't have a heart in unlike other basic account with avisa electron card.

As for the Bread card, they have done themselves a disservice after a tremendous start.Inept invoicing of transactions and this obession with cashback as in creditcards? What is the point given the clientel for this card? My Breadcard have never saw the light of day and will remain in 'solitory confinment'

[Skippy]

I'm surprised HSBC offer a basic bank account as they usually close the accounts of people in IVAs.

[vickir]

I have a basic HSBC account - but they dont know i'm in an IVA, they were never a creditor and i opened the account just prior to the IVA
Cant go to Abbey, A&L or co-op as they were all creditors

[Skippy]

Sounds like you've been lucky Vicki! Regarding the Co-op, I have heard (and I don't know if it's true) that they will allow you to open a Cashminder account even if they were one of your creditors.

[Soulgrowth]

I'll go back to recommending my Cashplus card! There is a monthly fee of £4.95 but no fees on transactions ... so like Skippy says you can use it as much as you like. It's free to load at any Post Office and I am sure that you can set up a standing order from a bank account. It costs about £1.25 to use an ATM at home and abroad.

I've had this card for 2 years nows and never had any problems with it, except the first time that I tried to pay for my rental car and they barred the payment because apparently renting cars is an area where a lot of fraud takes place! One quick call to customer services got the card unblocked though ... even though it did make me feel a bit like Arthur Daley!!

Debbie

[markss]

try the yorkshire bank's basic bank account ne credit check / overdraft but you get a dual function maestro card which u can use worlwide. in shopes etc also the account simple to open up face to face in bank

[andy_s]

Manythanksforallyouradvice,IthinkIwillinvestigateapre-paymentcard-goodtohaveabackupanyway.

[Adam Davies]

Hi
With regard to the Co-op Cashminder account I noticed that it is recorded on your credit file each month[Experian].This is another reason to choose this account as it is the starts of rebuilding your credit profile and can hopefully lead to mainstream banking again.
Regards

[Skippy]

I didn't realise that Andy.

Does anyone know if the Nationwide Basic Flexaccount reports to the credit agencies?

Hopefully having a contract with Vodafone and the Co-op account will help me start to rebuild my credit rating.