Avoid using credit card abroad I have had a Sainsburys credit card for a number of years and been quite happy. However a recent experience caused me considerable financial problems, and Sainsburys are not interested. On hoilday in South East Asia my card was suddenly blocked. My hotel had a slow internet connection which caused a timeout with the card terminal. This apparently was registered as an incorrect PIN, and after 3 attempts the card was blocked. Apparently, although not mentioned on their website, you are allowed '3 incorrect PIN attempts, or timeouts, IN THE LIFE OF THE CARD'. I telephoned Sainsburys and was told that the PIN could only be unblocked from an ATM in the UK, which was a great help when I had 3 weeks remaining on my holiday in Asia.