Preparing to travel

Our fraud detection systems monitor your accounts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If we spot a transaction we're unsure about, we’ll call or text you straight away.

If your Nationwide debit or credit card gets blocked because of suspicious activity, your mobile is the number we'll use to call you.

Our FlexPlus current account comes with worldwide family travel insurance. But you should check whether you have all the upgrades you need for your trip before you travel. For example, you'll need to purchase an age upgrade to cover those aged 70 or over and a medical condition upgrade for pre-existing conditions.

Here are some things we'd recommend you bring along on your next trip.

If you're a FlexPlus member, pack your insurance policy document just in case you need to claim while you're away. You can download a copy to your phone or print it out.

It's also worth taking your confirmation or cover letter if you have it. You can use it as proof of cover.

If you're a FlexPlus member, you might need to call U K Insurance Limited if you need help while travelling.

If we think we see a suspicious transaction on your account, we might ask you to confirm that it's really you.

You'll need to use your card reader to confirm your ID and that you want to make the payment.

If you need a new card reader, make sure you order a new card reader at least a week before you travel. You can also visit your local Nationwide branch to pick one up.

The UK Foreign Office has the latest travel advice by country. It covers safety and security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health.

It’s a good idea to check the Government's latest advice (opens in a new window) on the country you're travelling to.

If you hear of anything that might affect your travel plans, like a natural disaster or tour operator going out of business, you can call us and we'll do our best to give you advice.

It's sensible to take both local currency and cards. This gives more flexibility and can help make your money go further.

Some cards cost more to use abroad than others. We want you to get the most value, so check the fees and charges for using your cards abroad.

And to avoid any unpleasant surprises, double-check the daily withdrawal limits for your cards.

We recommend buying your currency before starting your trip. It can sometimes cost more at the airport.

Always buy your currency from a reputable bank or company. We don't sell foreign currency at our branches or have any in our cash machines.

If you need help when you're travelling, please view our help page.