as far as i know, you have to be a uk resident when opening the account. after that you can move anywhere. just send an updated addy.

If the ATMs have the visa symbol, then yes, you can. (Phone Nationwide and ask whether ATMs in Dubai are visa.)

Gina

thanks for your replys. am i right in thinking that my nationwide debit card can be used pretty much everywhere in oz. ie, buying furniture etc and that the rate is similar to what you would get with hifx.

many thanks

Yes and Yes.

Gina

hi, im after a car today in oz, can i pay it with my n/wide debit card and is the rate any good.
tar

Hi Tony,

yes, you can pay for your car with your debit card - BUT: your debit card will have a limit on it based on how much you normally use it. The limit is to prevent the card being used fraudulently. If you go beyond the limit the transaction will be refused. So, if your car costs say $20,000 and you don't normally make large purchases like that, it would be worthwhile phoning Nationwide and tell them to expect that kind of transaction.

Today's exchange rate is roughly £1 to $2.28.

Gina

what would be the benefit of opening a nationwide account over opening a westpac or other aussie account when i get there, exceptfor the first transfer of money from my english account?

my wages after the first month will paid into the westpac so i'll only need to take enough over to tide me over for the first month

hi gina, they had to get a authorisation code and then it went thru.it was all ok until he charged me $270 for using a visa. he said all these dealerships get hit when taking visa. i was stuck so i had to pay.i just hope the rate was good.
tony

If that is not an option. Can I get my mum to an account for me as some sort of trustee?

Can i ask something to anyone who has withdrawn funds either in Perth or Brisbane using their Nationwide Flex account DEBIT Card?

When in OZ, and wanting to withdraw OZ dollars from an ATM using my Nationwide Flex account DEBIT Card , i understand there is no charge from the Nationwide. But is there a charge from the bank in OZ, .i.e., can you only withdraw from certain ATM's in OZ. If so how do you distinguish them from the ATM's where you will be charged?

Also are there many ATM's in Perth and Brisbane where you can use your Nationwide Flex account DEBIT Card without incurring charges when withdrwing cash from the ATM?


Thanks

I withdrew about a dozen or so times in Brizzy and up the coast and didnt get charged at all Im also keep my account with Nationwide when we move to Oz, as with the Internet Banking it is really easy to sort stuff out.

Hope this helps

I used the Commonwealth ATMs (in Perth) to withdraw using a Nationwide debit card and wasn't charged anything. I think they tell you on screen if they will charge and what the charge is.

Thankyou for the replies!

Would it be true to say that any ATM with the VISA sign displayed would not charge a fee to withdraw cash at that cash dipense point?

Is this the most common method in taking money to OZ; just dump a bundle in your Flex account, and withdraw it as and when required in OZ?

Thanks

The Visa sign just means that you can use a Visa card in that ATM. Whether or not the ATM provider will charge you is a separate issue.
As I said, i'm pretty sure if they will charge you, the ATM will display as message to that effect before it actually gives you your money.

Its one of the safest ways to take money;
1) you don't have to carry large amounts with you before you get there
2) you only take out as much as you need once your in Aus
3) less chance of having loads left over at the end of your trip which you'll always get a lower rate to sell back
4) the Nationwide exchange rate has always been above any local travel exchange.

I opended a joint flex account with my mum before we moved. Now its great for her to put ££ in for the kids & I just withdraw it here
If you use it in the shops here, you have a choice of accounts before you enter your pin number savings/cheque/credit, it confused me at the airport cos I tried choosing savings, as it's a debit card, but you need to pick Credit, as they treat it like visa. This means most shops won't do cash out , like they would in the Uk if you used your switch. But as has already been said ATMS are no problem. Also its great to use over they phone here, as when we came we didn't have a credit card, so I used the flex card to pay for stuff like car insurance over the phone.