Best Way of Accessing Money - South Africa and Namibia

themightysloth

Hi,

(first post on MSE so apologies if i've not followed rules correctly)

I'm off to South Africa and Namibia for 3 weeks at the end of October. I don't want to get stung for withdrawing cash (where possible).

Previously when going away i've used my Nationwide flexaccount to access money, but i know this will start charging from Nov 1st.

Knowing this, I used this excellent forum and website to track down the best credit card that i thought would suit me (Halifax Clarity) which i have been accepted for but not at the best rate. I've only been offered 21.9% APR.

My question really is, for the level of withdrawals i'll make (prob up to £1000 total) over the course of the 3 weeks is this still the best way to get cash from atms even at the higher rate (based on there being no foreign currency charge fees and given that i'll pay off in full asap)?

I'm also conscious that time is working slightly against me at the min.

Thanks in advance for any help.

dzug1

Well put it this way - 21.9% pa is something like 1.8% a month. It's not that easy to get cash with that level of total fees, so it's not going to be a bad option, even if it's not the absolute best. Using it to pay for goods wherever possible would be better than drawing cash all the time

You could look at the better prepaid cards as an alternative.

themightysloth

Thanks Dzug1,

That's what i thought someone would say. I will try and use it to pay for goods rather than withdraw cash, but I know from a previous visit to South Africa (and assuming Namibia is similar) many places do not accept cards.

But it sounds like it's still a good bet even at that rate.