"Then what about using a 0345 number instead?

We have examined this.  While this would allow some mobile phone users to get either free calls or calls at the same rate as for an ‘01’ or ‘02’ number, depending on their tariff, moving to use a 0345 number might also disadvantage the majority of our customers who use a landline and are on a BT tariff, resulting in them paying for calls that are now free"

http://your.nationwide.co.uk/your-news/articles/pages/using-0845-telephone-numbers.aspx

Wrong if the 0845/0870 calls are inclusive on the BT Landline Tariff so will be 01/02/03 calls including 0345.

This article contains some accurate information, but is littered with falsehoods (including that quoted) and omissions (including the failure to refer to 0330).

The fair telecoms campaign is hoping to work with journalists to focus on particular cases that will be exposed when the Ofcom announcement about the unbundled tariff is made in a few days / weeks time. There will be a lot to cover. If any Nationwide member would like to work with us on the case of Nationwide, including preparing a briefing for a selected journalist, please get in touch.

This situaton has been brought to the attention of Nationwide BS including directly to their Chief Exec, Graham Beale, on numerous occasions over the years (see other threads in this forum).   Until they moved to 0845, their staff were all very aware of why customers always used the geo no, would say eg "oh yes, you don't want to use 0845, more expensive"!   Then, within days, literally, of them moving to 0845, staff would deny all knowledge & spout the nonsense about "local rate" & "0845 not costing any more".   NGM's Ghost was also extremely involved in the campaigns about this, even planned to go to their AGM one year to raise the matter.   However, NOTHING has had any impact on their instransigence or the nonsense they spout, they have no interest in their customers' well-being AT ALL!   It is also interesting that, from being a very customer-focussed and helpful organisation, when they changed numbers, they became absolute rubbish, appallingly inefficient in every sphere!   We moved our main account from them (& told them the 0845s were a big reason), they just don't care, which, as a mutual still, they should.  We now vote every year for them to demutualise, at least we might get something out of that.   

I would say that I always use the international number & do manage to get put through (we still use some of their products & their credit card is cheaper to use in Europe).