bobbedford

Hi there.

Moving in about a month and want to keep my credit card and existing bank account.

Do I need to tell them that I am moving?

I realise my address will change, but was planning on using the Royal Mail re-direct service thingy.

My one concern is calling up the credit card company, them finding out I am moving then losing my credit card. I have plenty of stuff I could liquidate for cash, but I don't really want to. Plan is to spend on credit card, then claim back from company (I have an agreed allowance for bits and pieces).

Any thoughts here?

Ta,
Bob

rpjs

It'll depend on the bank / cc company. We had no problem with both First Direct (bank and cc) and Halifax (cc) allowing us to keep our accounts. In fact when we moved we still had balances on some of our ccs outstanding which we made minimum payments on until the proceeds of our house sale came through.

The only issue we had was that FD don't like you to use your overdraft facility once regular deposits (i.e. salary by BACS) cease. They won't block a transaction that takes you into overdraft but they will contact you to ask you to restore a credit balance.

Jerseygirl

As rpjs said it depends who you have accounts with. We are with the Halifax/M&S/Nat West and for the last 16 years they have sent mail (including new cards) to our US address. Some members have reported having problems and have used a relative's address in the UK. I seem to remember Barclay's was one of the problematic banks.

Southy_SWFC

Tell them that you're abroad and to expect foreign transactions otherwise its possible that the fraud team will suspend your account until you contact them. Its not 100% but worth a try.

Jerseygirl

Good point. The credit card company in particular may suspend your account if there are several overseas transactions...so make sure you inform them that purchases will be made from the US.

Make sure you keep at least 1 credit card account and your bank account...because once you're no longer a UK resident you will not be able to open a new one.

Southy_SWFC

Finally, after 62 posts I've finally contributed something positive to this site.

tonrob

Can report that HSBC was fine too. Even kept our (generous) overdraft limits on current accounts for 3-4 years before they removed them through lack of account use. GBP10K credit card limit remained though, even though I only use the thing for an average of 2-3 weeks per year while I'm visiting.

Weeze

Tesco and Santander fine too with moving overseas. Well obviously in the case of Santander I mean they will continue to cock up your account in the same way in which the did when you still lived in the UK

Southy_SWFC

Bink

I still use my LloydsTSB account. They seem to have no issue with it either and still send me cards, mail etc.

Sheepdip

Nat West, First Direct and Nationwide have no problems with it. Did have to close a credit card though but can't remember which one.

misplacedheidi

First direct bank accounts and Halifax credit cards were fine.

Halifax just closed down our credit cards after 8 years of pretty minimal use - didn't worry us as we are using other cards instead. Just use FD in the UK when visiting or our overseas credit cards.

paul_lynda

Good to know we're not the only ones who have struggled with the farce that is Santander!