Spending Overseas

[vulcan_hell]

Hi there,

I'm joining GCNS to do Engineering at the end of August.

Does anyone have any advice as to spending overseas? Is their usually an opportunity to withdraw cash on shoreleave (if you get any) and if so how much extra can this cost in charges etc?

I have been looking at changing credit cards to Santander Zero or bank account to the Nationwide Flex Account - both of which have no or minimal loading fees for spending abroad. Anybody done or thinking of doing the same or do you think it's not worth the effort? Am I getting a bit ahead of myself?


cheers,

[Naaatan]

Re: Spending Overseas

Hey, Im the same, GCNS Engineering in August

I've been thinking the exact same thing myself mate. Im with barclays at the moment and I've been raped in the past with charges for overseas withdrawals. Plus a lot of banks tend to freeze your account when they notice you using your card abroad....I've had this happen at least 4 times and been stuck with no money and had to find a way to ring the bank's hotline to clear it up. So its best to let your bank know if your gonna be going overseas, although they still tend to fcuk it up and freeze your money.

The best account ive seen so far is the nationwide flex account you mentioned. Ill be going to see if I can get me one of these pretty soon

It's a bit of hassle, but if it saves money then it's worth it in the end.

[vulcan_hell]

Re: Spending Overseas

Aye good point, RBS froze my account because they wanted to know why I had been up and down to Glasgow so much + buying mp3s from Amazon. Imagine what would happen in Salvador or wherever else!

Should probably get it sorted before college so that the payments and accommodation fees all come out of the new account.

You going to be staying in the halls? Catered/Self catered?

[weerossi]

Re: Spending Overseas

Alright lads, just noticed ur both Engine cadets at GCNS in August, Me to. where you allk staying? am going for Self catered. After reading wht you have been sayign think i may needa go have a wee talk with RBS to make sure they understand my situation.

What sponsors have you chose?

[Naaatan]

Re: Spending Overseas

Yeah deffo needs sorting sooner rather than later. Thats insane about RBS freezing your account just for using your card in Glasgow.

Im goin Self Catered too. Sent my paperwork and deposit off last week. Hope it all goes through quickly.

I went for Graig ship management, Africa Express, and Gulf offshore.

Any of you heard about joining instructions or what sponsors your liikely to get yet?

[dawg]

Re: Spending Overseas

Aye good point, RBS froze my account because they wanted to know why I had been up and down to Glasgow so much + buying mp3s from Amazon.

I'd tell the Data Entry Monkey that phoned you to **** off, it's none of their business where you go and what you buy from legit online shops.

[weerossi]

Re: Spending Overseas

Am getting my accommodation forms filled out this week so hopefully all goes well. I asked CMT on facebook regarding joining instructions and we should be getting information within the next few weeks.

I chose Royal Carrib - Zodiac & Africa Express. We apparently find out who our sponsor is on the first day off college. I just want to know now.

[Naaatan]

Re: Spending Overseas

I know man, I want to know as soon as it's been decided. Don't like surprises.

[vulcan_hell]

Re: Spending Overseas

I'm going self-catered - just checked and my deposits been taken out so that's me got my room sorted! Will go and order my Maria Sharapova (Martina Hingis) poster now...

My choices were 1. Farstad, 2. Solstad, 3. Vroon. Would really like to know in advance but I've been told we find out in the first week. I've heard others have already been told who their company is and have even had interviews with them! Don't know if this is a good or bad thing.

Aye good point, RBS froze my account because they wanted to know why I had been up and down to Glasgow so much + buying mp3s from Amazon.

I'd tell the Data Entry Monkey that phoned you to tup off, it's none of their business where you go and what you buy from legit online shops.

You're right about RBS being nosey, but Barclaycard managed to pick up on ?900 of Apple goods purchased by someone (fanboi) on my card and unleashed the Fraud Squad. Bet he was gutted - should have held out for the iPhone 4!

[Naaatan]

Re: Spending Overseas

haha Barclays 1 - fanboi 0.

Ill never get on with barclays. They messed me around from day 1. They bought out my old bank and then started charging me to use the account!! Just been downhill from there.

Yeah I keep hearing about people having interviews with their sponsor. I know SSTG sponsor companies like to interview cadets before they make their final decision, but with Clyde not so much. Suppose its the old waiting game now.

[CharlieDelta]

Re: Spending Overseas

In a former life I was airline cabin crew, so did quite a bit of traelling. I just told my bank that I travelled a lot and that was that.

Beware the Nationwide account - there's no foreign withdrawal fees *but* I believe that's only in Europe?