Best credit card for abroad?

hunsbury0

I used to use Nationwide card for holidays, but now they have started to charge.
What is the best credit for purchases?
& what is the best best for cash withdrawals
I am over 50 so I also qualify for Saga cards.
Thank you

jennifernil

The Halifax Clarity card is good for use abroad. Also works out very reasonably for cash withdrawals if you pay it off every month, or even earlier (the cash withdrawal, I mean)

Otherwise, the NW debit card is still competitive for cash even though there are now charges.

ironlady2022

Halifax clarity is the best, I've ditched my nationwide one

gt94sss2

hunsbury0 wrote: »

I used to use Nationwide card for holidays, but now they have started to charge.
What is the best credit for purchases?
& what is the best best for cash withdrawals

This question has come up several times in the 'Budgeting and Bank Accounts' forum so you may want to look there.

As well as the Halifax Clarity credit card, you should consider the Post Office Mastercard and Metro Bank credit card.

For the best current accounts to use abroad, look at Metro Bank and Norwich and Peterborough Building Society.

Regards
Sunil

boat_girl

can I ask a question related to this?

I have taken out the Halifax clarity reward and use it for spending on and then I pay off each month. If I was to withdraw cash when abroad would the interest charged just be for the amount withdrawn or would it be the full balance at the time? Probably a silly question but don't want to be stung.

CLAPTON

mayling03 wrote: »

Halifax clarity is the best, I've ditched my nationwide one

what no back up if your clarify is refused?

ali19852

mayling03 wrote: »

Halifax clarity is the best, I've ditched my nationwide one

i agree with you...

jennifernil

boat_girl wrote: »

can I ask a question related to this?

I have taken out the Halifax clarity reward and use it for spending on and then I pay off each month. If I was to withdraw cash when abroad would the interest charged just be for the amount withdrawn or would it be the full balance at the time? Probably a silly question but don't want to be stung.

The interest is only on the cash withdrawn, if you are paying it off each month.

You can also pay off the advance sooner, if you have internet access while abroad, and minimise the interest.

jennifernil

CLAPTON wrote: »

what no back up if your clarify is refused?

Yes, a back-up card is essential when abroad.

We have Clarity Cards each (2 accounts), plus a Nationwide CC, and we take our other (expensive to use CCs) along too, just in case.

My husband once had 2 CCs refused (no idea why!) and ended up having to pay by debit card. Luckily there was enough money in the account.

chattychappy

I don't know anything about the Saga cards.

Most of my credit card spend is foreign, so this is a big issue for me. For CREDIT CARDS: I would say the ranking is:

1) Clarity, Zero, Post Office (0% loading)
2) Nationwide Gold (1% loading)
3) Most of the rest (typically 2.75% to 3% loading)
4) Tesco and cards from the same stable (they use their own exchange rate plus a loading - total damage around 5.5%)

I have used all of the above except Clarity - so for the rest it is what the T+Cs say backed by personal experience. But note this thread on Clarity - where the OP reported getting a loaded exchange rate. https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2956902 . This was never satisfactorily resolved in my opinion, nor has anyone else reported side-by-side comparisons (which I have done for the others).

For cash, Metrobank (again I've never used) offer a loading free debit card. Else for a debit card you have to consider Nationwide - still not too bad despite the recent changes.

BUT note: Zero and Clarity can be good for cash. Unusually no fee for withdrawals, just interest. So if you make a withdrawal and make a payment in a few days the interest is tiny. Again the proviso about Clarity is as above. Also it's a bit more complicated if you mix purchases and cash withdrawals - payments may not be applied to your cash withdrawal depending on statement cycles and the wording of your T+Cs.

Finally:
Cards do get blocked even if you tell them in advance where you're going. It's also difficult to get lost/stolen cards replaced whilst abroad. So take backups. After a couple of years of never having my Zero blocked, going to a shop where I often go triggered panic at Santander Towers. Despite their saying they would unblock it, it is still blocked a week later.Post Offices' online system is a nightmare - but put several thousand pounds of foreign spend through without an issue. I used to use NW Gold Visa alot - never had that blocked.

lisyloo

N&P just lauched a card yesterday (see latest MSE news) however there are some terms.