I have a Visa debit card issued by UK bank, Nationwide.

The problem is – when I travel abroad, it is more trouble than it is worth. Almost inevitably, the first thing that happens when I go abroad is the card is blocked. They have claimed that these blocks are not to do with being abroad per se, but some other factor has triggered the block. The last block happened in Kazakhstan – I booked a flight with Turkish Airlines, then cancelled it, when I realised that I could book the exact same flight, same aeroplane, same food, same staff, with Air Astana for a third of the price. I then booked this flight with Air Astana. This triggered a block. (Incidentally; my card was blocked last time I booked a flight with Turkish Airlines, leading me to suspect that Turkish Airlines itself is a trigger for a block; in which case, one can ask; if Turkish Airlines is identified as a fraud risk, why do they still give them merchant status?).

In Almaty, Kazakhstan, a lot of retailers don’t have terminals which can handle card insertion. However, the rule seems to be that every 5 or so uses the card must be inserted and a pin entered. The problem is; it seems if the terminal does not support insertion, it just errors and there is no message. So, if you plan on using your Nationwide Visa in Kazakhstan, just remember to make sure you insert it and enter the pin, whenever you get the opportunity. Ideally, book a hotel with a terminal which can accept insertion and a pin.

In Turkey the problem is with the ATMs. The three banks that I have tried so far take about an 8% commission! If you want to withdraw, say, $500.00 that will be $40.00 just to take the money out. I would assume the exchange rate is in their favour too. I didn’t check.

I remember the days when Visa and Mastercard came in. We were promised a new age when we no longer needed to take cash or Travellers Cheques (do you remember those?), with us. However; it seems, that, in 2026, the dream has not lived up to the promise. Next time I travel, I am going to take a large wad of cash with me.

For full clarity; it seems that the 8% charge applies to Visa Debit cards issued by my UK bank but not to Visa Credit cards issued by them. This is what they tell me in response to my enquiry.