Credit Card for Holidays

scottishblondie

It is just one simple rate - of 12.9% or 17.9% or 21.9% depending on how they feel about you!! As far as I'm concerned it's a great product for those who travel abroad.

My card came about a week after I sent back the paperwork, but I had a big hold up in the beginning due to them wanting proof of income. Overall it took me 6 weeks!!

Si67

chattychappy wrote: »

Well, "Clarity" is just a brand name, a piece of advertising puff. I wouldn't take it so seriously.

Nor would I. I was merely pointing out the irony.

opinions4u wrote: »

As opposed to 0% for 3 months for balance transfers, 0% for 9 months for purchases from petrol stations, 12.9% for anything else (except for cash advances that are charged at 29.9%).

So one simple interest rate for all types of transaction. 12.9% for the 51% who are lucky, 17.9% or 21.9% for those who aren't.

So it would seem, but it didn't say all that. It simply said (at the risk of being repetitive)

The Clarity card is our newest credit card and has one simple interest rate of 12.9% APR representative variable, however or wherever you use it.

opinions4u wrote: »

So if you're only doing purchase transactions, and clearing the balance in full, there won't be any charges at all for overseas use.

I said that I wouldn't normally use a credit card for withdrawing cash; but then this card came along, with its one simple interest rate of 12.9% APR (!) and no cash advance fees so I thought I'd order one. As I said in my original post, it would primarily be as an alternative to my FairFx card (for withdrawing cash).

I wouldn't have bothered getting it just for purchase transactions, because I already have an old-style Nationwide credit card for that, which gives me the MasterCard interbank rate with no commission. Nationwide CC obviously no good for cash though.


And yes, thinking about it, Clarity still does seem like a good card, just might not be quite as good as I'd initially thought (but there again it might be, who knows?!). Just hope it's here in time.

scottishblondie

Si67 wrote: »

I wouldn't have bothered getting it just for purchase transactions, because I already have an old-style Nationwide credit card for that, which gives me the MasterCard interbank rate with no commission. Nationwide CC obviously no good for cash though.

I'm pretty sure that Nationwide charges for transactions abroad now?

chattychappy

scottishblondie wrote: »

I'm pretty sure that Nationwide charges for transactions abroad now?

For purchases, the old one is 1% outside Europe, still 0% in Europe.

scottishblondie

chattychappy wrote: »

For purchases, the old one is 1% outside Europe, still 0% in Europe.

Good to know, I was under the impression they also charged inside Europe now. Guess I can take it on holiday as a spare after all

The reason I thought it charged now is that I seem to remember reading about a new condition where you get fee-free spending up to the value of use in the UK over a certain period. Was that only for newer/new customers? Did I imagine it? I got my card in February 2008.

And just to check - the Flex account charges for withdrawing cash within Europe, yes?

chattychappy

scottishblondie wrote: »

The reason I thought it charged now is that I seem to remember reading about a new condition where you get fee-free spending up to the value of use in the UK over a certain period.

Yep, that's their new card.

scottishblondie wrote: »

I got my card in February 2008.

That will be one of the old types - Gold/Classic etc. Still 1% outside Europe, 0% inside.

scottishblondie wrote: »

And just to check - the Flex account charges for withdrawing cash within Europe, yes?

All non-UK ATM withdrawals: 2% plus £1 per withdrawal.

Whilst these rates can easily be beaten, what I would say is that I never had a Nationwide card rejected/blocked. The same can't be said for some other cards I've had.

So I always take them as a backup. The only problem with the Flex account debit card is that I need it to make payments on the online banking system using the card reader. A right 'ole pain. I wish there was a separate card for that.

scottishblondie

Thank you chattychappy I'll stick with using my Clarity card for everything, but I'll put some cash into Nationwide as a backup too just in case Halifax decide to make life difficult!

zippygeorgeandben

Someone recommended to me to get a Post Office credit card for going away as you do not have a cash advance fee or handling fee. Can use overseas for 0% as well.
I hope that's the case. Does anyone else use one abroad? On a seperate note, haven't visited to forum in three years until today!

chattychappy

zippygeorgeandben wrote: »

Someone recommended to me to get a Post Office credit card for going away as you do not have a cash advance fee or handling fee. Can use overseas for 0% as well.
I hope that's the case. Does anyone else use one abroad? On a seperate note, haven't visited to forum in three years until today!

Unless it's changed or they are doing a special deal, there is a cash advance fee (unlike zero/clarity). But there is no forex loading.

So good for overseas purchases, not so good for cash.

rajberi

£500 limit is no good to me so perhaps have to take cash (which I dont like to carry too much off) or apply for a 2nd card eg santander