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International Debit Cards: Cirrus and Maestro
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International debit cards work abroad in exactly the same way as they do at home and usually come free when you open a current account at a bank or other financial institution.
Debit cards displaying the Cirrus and Maestro logos are a great way of withdrawing money abroad from ATMs. Most cash withdrawals will incur a small fee but overall they remain good value for gap year travel.
Some debit cards like those offered from the Nationwide Building Society on their Flex account allow account holders to withdraw money abroad without a fee as long as there are enough funds in the account to cover the withdrawal. The amount saved could add up to quite a sum during a gap year. |
The Maestro service also allows you to pay for goods and services in shops. The amount paid is automatically deducted from your current account. Always check that your debit card has the Cirrus and Maestro logos before travelling and if not, request an updated card from your bank or building society. Cirrus and Maestro logos can be seen below. Most ATM machines abroad will not show your balance when withdrawing cash. To keep a track of your spending and your current account balance, either try telephone banking using phone cards to keep costs low or online banking through an internet cafe or hotspot.
As with credit cards, keep a record of your debit card number and contact details for your bank in case of theft or loss. These details can also be left with family members or trusted friends. When travelling for long periods of time, it may be advisable to carry both a credit and debit card. By keeping one card on your person and another in your rucksack or hotel room, a backup is always available for emergency cash if a card is lost or stolen. To obtain a replacement debit card with most banks can take quite a long time if you happen to be travelling outside your home country.
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