Spend abroad with no non-sterling transaction fees

A non-sterling transaction fee is charged when you make a transaction in a foreign currency.

When you use your card overseas, take out cash at a foreign ATM or buy something online in a foreign currency, we need to convert the transaction from the local currency into pounds, for which we charge the fee. 

• Customers with Reward, Reward Silver, Reward Platinum, Premier Select, Premier Reward, Premier Reward Black and Black accounts do not pay any non-sterling transaction fees when paying with their card abroad (excluding ATM withdrawals). Customers utilising a Travel account also pay no non-sterling transactions fees on euro purchases and ATM withdrawals up to €200 every 30 days, as long as they hold a sufficient euro balance.
• Other customers pay a 2.75% non-sterling transaction fee of the value of the transaction.

Remember to always select to be charged in local currency. The ATM may ask you if it should do the conversion into pounds for you - it's usually best to say 'no thanks'. So if in Eurozone, select euros. If in America, select US dollars and so on. 

Do not let the ATM do the conversion for you. If you do, the ATM/transaction handler may provide you with an unfavourable foreign currency exchange rate.

If you're withdrawing foreign cash or paying for items in shops and restaurants, it's almost always best to pay in the local currency. For example, in Spain, it's best to pay in Euros, rather than Sterling, to avoid some additional conversion costs.