Using your card abroad

Any non sterling transactions (including cash withdrawals) are converted to sterling by using the relevant payment scheme exchange rate applying on the day the conversion is made. We will deduct the payment and related transaction fees from your account once we receive details of the payment from the card scheme, at the latest the next working day.

Cost illustration of making a transaction abroad of EUR 100.00 using the Visa exchange rate on 6 June 2017 of 0.876855 = GBP 87.69 to which will be added the fees appropriate to your card and transaction.

See more information on the rate of exchange Visa used when converting your transaction.

You receive up to 56 days interest-free credit on credit card purchases if you pay your whole balance in full and on time. Please be aware that interest is charged from the date transactions are applied to your account until payment is received. There is no interest-free period on cash advances. Some cash machine operators may apply a direct charge for withdrawals from their cash machines and this will be advised on-screen at the time of withdrawal. ATM withdrawal limits are applicable.

You can use your card to make non-sterling cash withdrawals from self service machines operated by a third party and agree that the third party will perform the currency conversion for you. The applicable exchange rate, the amount of cash you will receive and the amount in sterling will be shown on the screen. The amount in sterling will be deducted from your account balance when we receive details of the payment from the self service machine operator, at the latest the next working day.

If you're travelling in the EEA[@eea], see how paying in local currency on your HSBC credit or debit card compares to the European Central Bank (ECB)'s latest foreign exchange rates.

Just so you know, we may monitor and record your communications with us. This is in the interest of security and to help us continually improve our service.