can you recommend a current account?

[3duracellbunnies]

We are going to change accounts from santanightmare. Wanting a current account, no major bells and whistles, but we would like to be able to go to France for a day trip without getting our cards stopped. They apply no common sense, as we are only an hour or so from channel ports France is our nearest country, but we can use our cards in Scotland, and apparently Ireland is the same country as England(don't tell any republicans!), so that's ok, despite them being about a 10hr trip (with children). We are so much more likely to be going there. I wouldn't mind if we could permenantly nominate France as an alternative location, but no has to be within 3 weeks of departure. And don't get me started on the fraud investigation for daring to pay for a prescription in our nearest chemist.

So are you happy with your bank and can you make the occassional day trip without bother.

I know they have had a lot of bad press after the latest debacle, but Natwest have never stopped my cards when using them abroad (never give them any notice that I'll be using them) and the only time I was flagged to the fraud dept was when I went on a mad Xmas shopping spending spree, as they had my mobile number they rang me and confirmed my details and was fine to carry on shopping (I asked what would happen if they couldn't reach me, they would have blocked my card until I rang them apparently),

I travel to France and Belgium fairly frequently and opted to get a FairFX prepay Euro card instead of battling with commissions and fees on every transaction. Having said that, I find my Halifax debit card works in plenty of cashpoints without a problem. I think they're offering a cash incentive to switch at the moment.

I like Halifax reward account AFAIK, you and your dh can get get an account paying £5pm "bonus" plus a joint account, also getting £5pm. (Just pay in £1k per month - I bounce the same £1000 through all three accounts) Their savings account rate is also pretty good (2.7% last time I checked.)

I also have their clarity card for when travelling abroad. No commission charges - just the exchange rate BUT they do charge interest from the day of the withdrawal - i go online and pay off the amount within 24 hours. If asked if you want to pay in Euro or £ when abroad, say euro (or whatever the local currency is) Spend £300 on it pm and you get a fiver from them too - basically £20 a month for 2 mins effort once a month.

I would really recommend First Direct - have never had any problems with using my cards anywhere. Also they are sooo nice whenever you phone them - and they give you £100 when you sign up, bargain! (don't work for them, honest!) :)