Cheap card to use abroad?

hpy · 27 May 2017 at 8:38AM

Hi
I have been using travelex supercard and I was super happy with it, but now they going to close it. I'm looking for some alternative. Because banks charge fees on every transactions and not best rate they use.
Any advice, please?

LuxuryWoman · 27 May 2017 at 9:14AM

I use the Halifax Clarity card abroad, below is copied from website.

there are no usage fees:

No fee to use anywhere worldwide (interest charges apply)
No cash withdrawal fee (interest charges apply and some ATM providers may charge a fee)
No annual fee
£20 cashback offer valid on accounts opened by 3rd September 2017, conditions apply.

.

.

robatwork · 27 May 2017 at 9:41AM

Another vote for Clarity. Sits in the drawer until I go abroad when the barlcaycard takes its place.

eskbanker · 27 May 2017 at 11:06AM

Decent options (including Halifax Clarity among others) are summarised at http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/travel-credit-cards

badger09 · 27 May 2017 at 12:28PM

Another vote for Halifax Clarity CC. No charges & always fair exchange rate.

hpy · 27 May 2017 at 1:02PM

Thanks a lot.
I have been successful on application for
Clarity Credit Card.
Is it really no fee on cash or shopping?
Cheers

bigadaj · 27 May 2017 at 2:17PM

hpy wrote: »

Thanks a lot.
I have been successful on application for
Clarity Credit Card.
Is it really no fee on cash or shopping?
Cheers

No cost on purchase but you get charged interest on cash withdrawals. So assuming you get the better 18% rate currently available that works out to 1.5% a month. Assuming a two week holiday and withdrawing at the beginning and repaying on your return that means you pay a 0.75% effective charge, so taking out £100 costs you about £0.75.

worried_jim · 27 May 2017 at 2:19PM

Monzo. Doesn't cost a penny.

Bloomberg · 29 May 2017 at 8:27AM

hpy wrote: »

Hi
I have been using travelex supercard and I was super happy with it, but now they going to close it. I'm looking for some alternative. Because banks charge fees on every transactions and not best rate they use.
Any advice, please?

Apparently the Barclaycard Platinum Travel card is meant to be very good. I think I read on this site that it is the best card for foreign usage. I have just applied and been accepted for one ahead of my business trip to The Philippines in July.

Apparently if you clear the balance before the statement date you can avoid charges on ATM withdrawals. Also the Barclaycard app is first class and even shows your credit rating. Good luck.

hpy · 29 May 2017 at 9:01AM

Thanks... Is it not the same on clarity cc?
( if you clear the balance before the statement date you can avoid charges on ATM withdrawals.)

eDicky · 29 May 2017 at 9:19AM

Make sure you have more than one source of funds when traveling, any card can sometimes fail, or be lost, stolen etc. I always carry several.

Apart from the insignificant daily interest charged by most travel credit cards on cash withdrawals, the best options cost nothing and do not require currency conversion until they are used, avoiding the problem of leftover foreign money.

Don't let any travel agents talk you into buying their cards, it would probably be cheaper to use your regular debit cards while overseas.

Never accept the offer by payment terminals or ATMs to debit your card in pounds, always pay in the local currency and select 'Without Conversion' if an ATM offers the choice.

The new 'mobile only' bank, Starling, has no fees or limits for overseas use of its card, which will cost nothing to try out in addition:

https://www.starlingbank.com

Cheap card to use abroad?

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