Halifax Clarity

lisyloo

Yea, using the card would be best as when using cash the intrest is calculated from the date of withdrawel.

Not always possible as already mentioned.
If they take 20 cents for the toilet then they don't take cards.
Similarly a lot of market traders or taxi drivers in poor countries will not take cards.
Cash tips are required for tour guides.
Also some countries do not widely accept cards.

But if you have a choice then sure - pay by card.

chattychappy

lisyloo wrote: »

Similarly a lot of market traders or taxi drivers in poor countries will not take cards.

Not to mention London either!

Mind you, the UK is looking increasingly poor and backward to me!

lisyloo

Sorry to harp on about this but I would not recommend travelling on a cruise without any cash.
The reason is that should you find yourself needing to get back to the ship in a hurry (before it leaves) you will need ready cash for the taxi to leave immediately.

Zer0

Does anyone know if it is possible to pre load the card with cash? Which would then avoid the interest on cash withdrawals.

I had seen it mentioned previously that this wasn't possible as it was against the t&c but the only thing I can find is:

"Your statement will show the date by which you must make this month's payment. You can always pay more, and have the right to repay all or part of the credit early at any time"

Thanks

Biggles

It's in the T&Cs and is also covered on their website under 'Common enquiries':-

Can I put money on my card to increase my available credit whilst on holiday?
Credit cards are not designed to be used this way. Using the card in this way breaches the product's Terms & Conditions, which state:
7.7 You must not make payments or transfer funds from another credit or store card to your account that would leave a credit balance on your account. We may return any funds that exceed the balance owing on your account to the account from which the money was sent.

http://www.halifax.co.uk/creditcards/clarity-rewards.asp#Can_I_put_money_on_my_card_to_increase

Zer0

Ah missed that, thanks for the reply.

melb

I've got the paperwork in front of me to apply for a Clarity Card to use for purchases and cash withdrawals while in Europe. I am planning to transfer £1200 which is the balance on my Barclaycard to enjoy their 2% cashback on balance transfers. I always pay my Barclaycard off each month and this £1200 is due to be paid in early March. Is there anything i should watch out for as I've never transferred a balance before and have only every had 1 credit card. assuming I pay the amount off my clarity card when i receive my first bill will this be the end of it and i should be £24 better off or is it not as simple as that? thanks

lisyloo

You will have "trailing" interest.
So your statement only shows interest up to the statement date (it can't possibly show any more as they lack a crystal ball to know when you will pay).
Once you pay off there is a gap between the day the statement was produced and the payment clearance date, so there will be some outstanding interest.
Personally I go into credit a little and then afterwards make a purchase (but a sandwich) to clear the credit.
Technically this is against the "going into credit" rules, but it's unlikely you'll get banned for going £2 or £3 into credit.

melb

thanks for that. on the balance transfer front can you just pay it off when you receive the bill and that's that? (I'm presuming that the "trailing interest" you referred to was following cash withdrawals abroad?)