Overseas cash - change any in UK or get all on Clarity card?

Jaunty

I have tried searching but can't find a definite answer. After years of using my normal debit cards for cash and CC for purchases, and getting caned in charges, we have got organised and have a Halifax Clarity CC.

Off to Europe next weekend. Is it better just to get euros cash on the Clarity card after we land, or change some cash at the best available rates here before we go? I know how the Clarity card is charged, just not if it is better than the best cash exchange here. I guess it comes down to the exchange rates. I will pay the CC off in full within 7 days.

Cheers

dzug1

The Clarity card is better than changing cash here - or indeed anywhere. You'll only do better if someone is prepared to trade at a loss.

knightstyle

I just put this on another thread:
Purchases the Halifax Clarity purchases paid of in full on due date will get a good exchange rate and no charges. But cash withdrawals will be charged interest from the date of the withdrawal until you pay.
Best thing is to pay slightly more than the cash withdrawn on the same day or even the day before the cash is withdrawn. This payment will reduce the interest and make this the best way to get cash abroad. However, try to use the card for all your purchases if possible and then you will only need a small amount of cash.
We have been in France since end of April and only used the Clarity card. Works very well, no problems except the French sometimes put it in the machine the wrong way! Plus sometimes the machine asks which language we want, just press the green button and it then asks for the code(pin).

Jaunty

thanks, that is what I thought, just hard to change the mind set of not taking cash n a CC!

opinions4u

I would certainly take some currency with you. Even if it's only a modest amount.

You know that the overseas ATM network will crash just when you're in need of some!

(I'd also suggest having a backup option just in case - not a slight on Clarity, but just a common sense approach to mitigate anything unfortunate happening)

Jaunty

I have 50 or so euros lying around at any one time so will have that with me, plus some sterling and my usual debit card. Cheers though for the tips :beer:

chattychappy

Yep, always take backups. I recently had PO and Zero blocked on the same day. A first!

I'm mostly in Asia, but bizarrely I've found France one of the more troublesome places. A few years ago I went through 3 or 4 cards in a ticket machine not getting any of them to work. My Vietnamese friend's "Vietcombank" credit card (a card rarely seen overseas at the time) worked first time.

Well, they've always had a fondness for their ex-colony. One not extended to me!