Spending in Spain- Halifax Clarity or Faifx prepay- which is cheaper?

luci

I agree. It looks like DCC has been used. If it had been charged in euros the exchange rate would show on your statement. In Spain it is always worth stating that you want to be charged in euros.

keigcf

chappers11 wrote: »

I have got away without charges on ATM withdrawls on 3 trips this year.

My tip is to overpay the card with a positive balance equal to the potential spending before travelling - this way the account isnt in debt and no interest is due

Also, be sure that the overpayment also covers any balance due from the previous statement...much easier with online statements

Sorry to ask another question on this, could I do this with my HSBC mastercard? only going to Benidorm for 5 nights, but as we haven't been abroad in 17 years am unsure if its OK to use a creditcard or better to withdraw cash from debitcard.:o

mikezoe65

keigcf wrote: »

Sorry to ask another question on this, could I do this with my HSBC mastercard? only going to Benidorm for 5 nights, but as we haven't been abroad in 17 years am unsure if its OK to use a creditcard or better to withdraw cash from debitcard.:o

eek No! You need to look at the general advice for spending abroad on this site. The HSBC Mastercard is expensive and definitely will not avoid nasty charges! Nor is it much better to use their debitcard! You need quickly to get either a Halifax Clarity credit card or probably quicker and easier, either a Prepay Fairfx card or Caxton card.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money?utm_source=forum&utm_medium=clicks&utm_campaign=resourcebar

keigcf

Oh dear, more hassle......

Wannie_2

keigcf wrote: »

Oh dear, more hassle......

The best Prepaid card is the Travelex Cash Passport Globe

keigcf

Wannie wrote: »

The best Prepaid card is the Travelex Cash Passport Globe

Just had a look, it says ideal for the frequent traveller?, does it have a time limit on the spend as we don't expect to go abroad often, or can I get the money back off it? We are going 1/2 board so I wasn't expecting to spend a huge amount over there, less than £500 definately

Wannie_2

keigcf wrote: »

Just had a look, it says ideal for the frequent traveller?, does it have a time limit on the spend as we don't expect to go abroad often, or can I get the money back off it? We are going 1/2 board so I wasn't expecting to spend a huge amount over there, less than £500 definately

The money stays in Pounds, so anything left over can be withdrawn via a cash point in the UK at a cost off 99p or you can use it like a debit card to pay for your shopping(though again a 99p charge to use it for UK transactions).

So if you have £4.99 left on the card, you can use it to spend £4 on your shopping in the UK.

Order through a cashback website(Choose the 'Globe' card) to get a few pounds back from your initial load.

malc_b

You can try here for a list of free ATMs. In my experience they all tell you before they charge you and give you the option of backing out.

You can pay off clarity before the statement date. Payment should go the highest interest item ON the account. That will be cash advances, as long as they are on the account. If you withdraw cash then immediately make a payment you'll pay off a purchase not the cash advance.

The other caveat is to check Halifax's calculation. They got it wrong for me and it was only after pushing then to send me an accurate printout of account I could prove their figures were wrong. Up to then I'd had phone calls and letters tell me it was correct. It really annoys when that happens as I can do maths thank you. And I was right the interest was wrong.

And finally if you have set up a DD to pay off the card in full Halifax will take the amount on the statement and not adjust it for any payments you have made but you can of course draw the excess out from an ATM.