Do you let your bank know if you are going abroad?

We took a special trip to the bank to have our debit cards registered with the banks in Norway. We were assured that they would be accepted in any store, restaurant, etc. The first time DH tried to pay with his it was declined! I didn't try mine as he had just enough cash for the purchase.

My bank said 'thanks', but didn't need to know. How would I let them know anyway, now that my branch and the other branch nearby have closed or shortly will close?

I think it varies. Have found Santander specifically want to know but Nationwide don’t. They do ask for the card to be used at the airport, even just to check a balance.

No, my bank (First Direct) say they don't need to know.

My bank has told me they need to know. It's no trouble to me to tell them so that's what I do.

My credit card company wanted details of dates and country/countries to be visited until quite recently but now say they don’t want to know. Like Pamela upthread, I always use my card at the airport.

My bank is very fussy about unusual transactions and you have to tell them in advance about anything unusual including going abroad.
Can't really complain, they are on the ball.

I didn't let them know last time (I forgot) and they blocked me and a foreign bank swallowed my card!

I also let know about my travelling abroad to bank, because it can block my card. I increase the amount of payment before the trip because of the difference in the exchange rate, the payment can be rejected.

Yes, I do tell my bank. I normally only go away for a week so it isn't very often that I pay for anything with a card but I have met people who try to do so having their payment stopped by the banks if they're abroad. These people seem to have not advised their banks that they're going out of the UK. Perhaps it depends where you bank.

Yess. I think you should always do that.

Yes, my bank needs to know when I am leaving the island. My credit card also covers my insurance whilst abroad so I have to inform them of every country I will be visiting.

Always make a point of using my main cc on the plane so that my journey can be tracked by cc company in case of cloning/fraudulent transactions.

M&S credit card now don't want to know but I like the idea of using cards at the airport PamelaJ1

Our credit card company doesn’t want to know.
They stopped my card whilst we were on a ship on the way to PNG. Luckily my husband had his but he doesn’t have a very high limit and we were put in a very embarrassing position. Not easy to contact anyone whilst on board ship.
I tried to tell them last time we went but they weren’t interested.

I now use the card at the airport when we are leaving so am, hopefully, leaving a trail.

Yes

We use a specific credit card for payments abroad as it has very good terms and it saves having lots of cash. Our provider does have a place on their website to notify trips.
As a side issue, on a recent trip to Belgium, very few places would accept credit cards. Apparently banks there charge businesses very high commission. We were so unpopular when we got to a supermarket checkout with a very long queue behind us and no means of paying

The only time I notified my bank that I was going to be out of the U.K. (several countries) I had my card blocked at first attempt to use it? I had to call them on my mobile (roaming charges??) to be told that the person who I had notified hadn’t entered it correctly on to their security system! The bank offered no apology and didn’t offer to compensate me for the expensive call either! Since then I have only taken a pre paid credit card and currency with me!

We don't notify our credit card company any more, they no longer wish to know. If you look online at the website relating to your card provider, you may find the answer in the FAQs

Check this out
www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money/

We go abroad a lot, mainly to Europe and have never told the card company.

They used to like you to do this, but now with so many people travelling so much they aren't bothered

Last year I went to the USA and told the bank the dates I'd be away. A few days after I got back I had a message from the bank. Someone had tried to make a purchase in America using my credit card number. Because the bank knew that I was back in England they didn't make the payment.

used to but they have recently said they dont need to be told.

When I didn't do that Luckygirl I tried to put some more money on to my mobile phone but wasn't able to - the credit card company thought it was an unusual transaction because it was at 2 am UK time.
I thought it was a problem with the phone company and was about to fling the phone into the sea (or my glass of lager) but then found my card had been blocked.

No, Elaine, you haven't put yourself at risk. Some banks or card providers ask to be told if you're abroad, so that when a transaction is attempted, they know it's probably you and not someone who's cloned or stolen your card. If they suspect fraud, they may block the transaction. If your transactions have gone through OK, your bank is satisfied that all is well, so don't worry.