Halifax/BOS Cashback Credit Card - online/overseas charges?

Adventurer

Hello all. Long time lurker, first-time poster - be gentle with me!

I was wondering if anyone knew what charges are associated with online purchases in foreign currency when using the Halifax and Bank of Scotland Cashback Credit Cards. Currently when I use my debit card online (yes, I know that's bad) I get charged once for the value of the product in GBP, and then an extra £1 for an "overseas transaction". As I buy quite a few things from digital distribution services dealing only in dollars, this is becoming a bit of a problem.

I've looked for the information on the banks websites, but couldn't find an answer. Does anyone have any first-hand experience?

will-in-estoril

From the Halifax website:

http://www.halifax.co.uk/creditcards/carduseandmaintenance.asp?!!!!!CC3

2.95% loading on purchases.

Adventurer

So for any item I buy under about £30, I'm quids in. I have no idea how that compares to other cards, mind.

Would that 2.95% typically still count towards the card's cashback?

will-in-estoril

Adventurer wrote: »

So for any item I buy under about £30, I'm quids in. I have no idea how that compares to other cards, mind.

Would that 2.95% typically still count towards the card's cashback?

To be honest, I wouldn't say that you were quids in. The £1 fee as well as the exchange rate loading mean that this is one of the poorest cards to use.

As you make a number of purchases in dollars I would be looking at getting either the Post Office credit card or the Abbey Zero card, both of which charge no fee for purchases, nor do they load the exchange rate in their favour, as Halifax does.

Although it seems that overseas' purchases with your Halifax card qualify for cashback this is only 0.5%, a drop in the ocean compared to what you are paying Halifax.