Using your debit/credit card abroad

You can use your cahoot debit and credit card abroad to make purchases and to withdraw local currency from cash machines as and when you need it. Simply look for the Visa sign and feel secure knowing that it's a safer option than carrying large amounts of cash or traveller's cheques.

You can use either your cahoot debit or credit card to withdraw up to a maximum of £500 cash a day (depending on your available balance / credit limit).

Before travelling overseas

If you're planning a trip abroad, especially outside the EU, and want to make sure your debit / credit card works just the same as it does at home, it's advisable to contact us by sending a secure message from the online banking 'Help & contact us' tab to let us know the dates you'll be away and the countries that you'll be visiting. We'll then know that any transactions made are genuine.
Make sure your contact details, especially your mobile telephone number, are up to date, so that cahoot can contact you while you're abroad should we suspect fraudulent activity on your account. You can send us a secure message from the online banking 'Help & contact us' tab.
You can also register for text or email alerts to keep you informed about your finances while you're away. Alternatively you can call us on 0330 678 2811. We’re open 8am-6pm Monday-Friday, and 9am-5pm Saturday (if calling from outside the UK please dial +44 1908 937 222).

Learn more about fraud and security

Lost or stolen cards

If you think your card has been lost or stolen, or blocked for fraud protection reasons when you’ve tried to use it, you should call us as soon as possible on 0330 678 2811 or you can call us on 0800 9 173 489 (freephone). If you’re calling from abroad or outside working hours, please contact us on +441908 937222

Fees and charges – debit card

Charges apply when you use your debit card abroad, unless we say otherwise:

Making a purchase abroad or online in a foreign currency to buy goods or services	Withdrawing cash abroad (either in a bank or at a cash machine), or to purchase traveller's cheques or foreign currency when abroad (at another bank, bureau de change or other outlet displaying the Visa or Mastercard sign) in a currency other than pounds
You will be charged a foreign currency conversion fee of 2.95% of the value	You will be charged a foreign currency conversion fee of 2.95% of the value

Santander cash-machine fees in Spain:

Type of transaction
Withdrawal from a Santander cash machine	Fee not charged
Currency conversion for using a Santander cash machine in Spain	Fee not charged

Please note: If you're given the option of paying in either local currency or pounds, choose local currency unless you're certain that the exchange rate is more favourable. If you choose pounds, it means that the retailer or bank will handle the conversion and may charge you a conversion fee, a foreign usage fee, or both. Some cash machine providers may also apply an additional withdrawal fee for using their cash machine.

Using your card abroad calculator
You can use our calculator to see daily exchange rates and calculate the total cost of using your debit card abroad. For EEA currencies you’ll also be able to see how this compares to the ECB exchange rate.

Fees and charges – credit card

Charges apply when you use your credit card abroad:

Making a purchase abroad or online in a currency other than sterling to buy goods or services	Withdrawing cash abroad (either in a bank or at a cash machine), or to purchase traveller’s cheques or foreign currency when abroad (at another bank, bureau de change or other outlet displaying the Visa sign) in a currency other than sterling
You will be charged a foreign currency conversion fee of 2.95% of the value	You will be charged a foreign currency conversion fee of 2.95% of the value plus a cash withdrawal fee of 1.5% of the value (at least £1.50)

Please note: If you're given the option of paying in either local currency or sterling, ensure you choose local currency unless you are certain that the exchange rate is more favourable. If you choose sterling, it means that the retailer or bank will handle the conversion and may charge you a conversion fee, a foreign usage fee, or both. Some cash machine providers may also apply an additional withdrawal fee for using their cash machine.

Using your card abroad calculator
You can use our calculator to see daily exchange rates and calculate the total cost of using your credit card abroad. For EEA currencies you’ll also be able to see how this compares to the ECB exchange rate.

Visa - Illustrative Cost Examples based on a €100 (Euro) transaction

Transaction	Transaction value ^	Foreign currency conversion fee	Foreign currency cash withdrawal fee	Total cost
Debit card purchase	€100 £86.63	2.95% £2.56	n/a £0	£89.19
Debit card cash withdrawal	€100 £86.63	2.95% £2.56	n/a £0	£89.19
Credit card purchase	€100 £86.63	2.95% £2.56	n/a £0	£89.19
Credit card cash withdrawal	€100 £86.63	2.95% £2.56	1.5% (min £1.50) £1.50	£90.69

^Visa exchange rate of €1 = 0.866278 as at 1 June 2023

Mastercard - Illustrative Cost Examples based on a €100 (Euro) transaction

Transaction	Transaction value ^	Foreign currency conversion fee	Foreign currency cash withdrawal fee	Total cost
Debit card purchase	€100 £86.07	2.95% £2.54	n/a £0	£88.61
Debit card cash withdrawal	€100 £86.07	2.95% £2.54	n/a £0	£88.61
Credit card purchase	€100 £86.07	2.95% £2.54	n/a £0	£88.61
Credit card cash withdrawal	€100 £86.07	2.95% £2.54	1.5% (min £1.50) £1.50	£90.11

^^ Mastercard exchange rate of €1 = 0.86068 as at 1 June 2023

Tips when using your card abroad

Before you leave:

Check the expiry date on your card.
Make sure that you have enough funds in your account, or that your card payments are up-to-date.
Photocopy your card and passport, but keep the photocopies separate.
Write down the telephone numbers for our assistance call centre.
Register for our alert service. You can register for text or email alerts to be sent to you to keep you informed about your finances.

When you get there:

Try not to keep cards and cash in the same place - that way you won't lose everything.
In crowded places, hold bags or wallets close to your body. A money belt can also be very useful.
When using cash machines make sure they're secure and well lit, especially at night, and don't make it obvious that you're carrying cash.
Memorise your Personal Identification Number (PIN) and do not write it down. If you do write it down you must disguise it so that it cannot be understood by anyone else.
Remember to use your hand to shield PIN entry at point of sale or cash machine.
Some cash machine providers may apply an additional withdrawal fee for using their cash machine.
When you pay with your card, check the information on the sales voucher before you sign or enter your PIN.
Make sure when paying with your card, that it's in sight at all times and that transactions are carried out in front of you.
Use safety deposit boxes or room safes in hotels.
Keep a copy of all sales receipts and check them against your statement. Contact us if there is anything on your statement you don’t recognise.

Contact us

If you still can't find the answer you are looking for and you're logged on to online banking, you can contact us by secure message or by email at contact.us@cahoot.com. Please remember, if emailing, do not include any account related information for security purposes.