Hi, I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on which credit card if any I should apply for.

I currently have a capital one card with around £500 tallied up on it, and the interest free period is up. My payments aren't alot but I'm going away traveling for 7 months v.soon and I'd like to transfer my balance and probably put about another £500-£800 on it while I'm away. I'm worried the repayments might significantly increase if I stay with capital one.

Basically I want to pay as little as possible while I'm away as every penny is going to count - when I get back it's not really an issue as I will be coming back to work and can pay it off quite quickly.

There's just so many cards to choose from and I don't fully understand the pros and cons so any advice would be fab!

Thanks!

Grenville,

As you are going to be travelling for 7 months then maybe you should consider a Nationwide Credit Card as there are no extra fees for purchases abroad and they give a very good exchange rate on the conversion, which is much closer to the mid-bank rate than most other cards.

Abbey also do one card with no extra fees on purchases abroad and also possibly Liverpool Victoria if they are still operating.

The Nationwide Flex account debit card also gives ATM withdrawals abroad without charges too which can save a good bit if that is of interest to you but make sure there are Visa enables ATM's in the area you are travelling to.

Can't agree more with the comments from Shopaholic, specifically on the Nationwide cards.

The "Best Buy" by far is the Nationwide Flex Account Debit Card. No charges at all, - even for ATm's - and this makes it unique. Also a better exchange rate when you do use it, even in an ATM. However, it is a Debit card not a Credit card, so you will need to settle your bill every month. One way to get around this is to "pre-load" your account with the total you think you will spend or pre-load it on a monthly basis. The fact that you are going away for 7 months means that you will have to be a very organised/disciplined person.

I have been a Nationwide Debit card holder for some years and cannot speak too highly of it, having used it in Europe and Australia.

Thanks for the advice both of you.

I'm definately going to open a Nationwide account - it's bizzare that it is the only card to offer such a service overseas. I'm going to ask what sort of credit cards they can offer, maybe I can transfer my balance to reduce the interest from the Capital One.

I wouldn't exactly describe myself as organised or disciplined but maybe that will have to change :)

Thanks again,

Nick

Nick,

A final thing, - the Nationwide Flex Account Debit Card also pays interest so putting money in there before you make purchases or ATM cash withdrawals means you are not losing out. Just make sure you have the loot in there before you spend - it is a Debit card.

Good luck.

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