Using ATM's In Cyprus With Halifax Clarity.

Attackthebanks

Heading off to Cyprus for 2 weeks, just recently got the Halifax Clarity credit card at 12.9% APR.
Have always been old school with spending money on previous holidays, changing usually £1000 + into whatever currency with a mixture of travelers cheques.
After reading the praises of the Clarity card on MSE, i am coming round to it being a safer/better way of using money abroad!!

Few Q's...

1 = UK atm's clearly state if it will charge you £1.50 fee ie in a corner shop, is this the same in other countries?

2 = Whats the best places to use atm's banks only? Or are airport and shopping centers atm's just as safe?

3 = If you were going for a meal would you choose to lift say X amount's worth of euro's to pay for the meal in cash, or would you just swipe the card? (is chip and pin common too)?

Have heard others on here giving great little pointers like telling halifax your travel plans before going.

Any other hints or tips i should be on the look out for, just want this first card for spending abroad experience to go without a hitch!

Thanks in advance guys.

Proud to have dealt with my debt, and be an active MSE member, LOVE the site!!

luci

Attackthebanks wrote: »

Heading off to Cyprus for 2 weeks, just recently got the Halifax Clarity credit card at 12.9% APR.
Have always been old school with spending money on previous holidays, changing usually £1000 + into whatever currency with a mixture of travelers cheques.
After reading the praises of the Clarity card on MSE, i am coming round to it being a safer/better way of using money abroad!!

Few Q's...

1 = UK atm's clearly state if it will charge you £1.50 fee ie in a corner shop, is this the same in other countries?

The ATM should clearly state either on the machine or during the transaction whether they charge a fee before you commit to it.

2 = Whats the best places to use atm's banks only? Or are airport and shopping centers atm's just as safe?

Just check any ATM for signs of tampering as you would at home. Ones inside a bank should be safest.

3 = If you were going for a meal would you choose to lift say X amount's worth of euro's to pay for the meal in cash, or would you just swipe the card? (is chip and pin common too)?

Just swipe the card. That way you won't incur any interest charges.

Have heard others on here giving great little pointers like telling halifax your travel plans before going.

Absolutely tell the Halifax where you are going and the dates you will be away. You can complete a "holiday form" by phone up to a year ahead.

Any other hints or tips i should be on the look out for, just want this first card for spending abroad experience to go without a hitch!

Thanks in advance guys.

Proud to have dealt with my debt, and be an active MSE member, LOVE the site!!

My replies in Blue

zagfles

Attackthebanks wrote: »

Heading off to Cyprus for 2 weeks, just recently got the Halifax Clarity credit card at 12.9% APR.
Have always been old school with spending money on previous holidays, changing usually £1000 + into whatever currency with a mixture of travelers cheques.
After reading the praises of the Clarity card on MSE, i am coming round to it being a safer/better way of using money abroad!!

Few Q's...

1 = UK atm's clearly state if it will charge you £1.50 fee ie in a corner shop, is this the same in other countries?

Generally, yes. I've never had an unexpected charge from an ATM abroad.

2 = Whats the best places to use atm's banks only? Or are airport and shopping centers atm's just as safe?

Airport ATMs are usually fine, never known a charging one (though they probably exist somewhere). Shopping centres should be OK too.

3 = If you were going for a meal would you choose to lift say X amount's worth of euro's to pay for the meal in cash, or would you just swipe the card? (is chip and pin common too)?

I'd normally pay in cash, out of habit more than anything. Some people don't like the idea of the waiter wondering off with your card, though these days they're more likely to bring a hand-held terminal to you. C&P is common in Europe, not sure about Cyprus.

Never take it for granted a restaurant will take credits cards as you might do here. Many don't abroad, so look for the signs or ask.

Have heard others on here giving great little pointers like telling halifax your travel plans before going.

Any other hints or tips i should be on the look out for, just want this first card for spending abroad experience to go without a hitch!

Watch out for Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). Always state you want to be charged in the local currency when handing your card over, and check the terminal/receipt shows the local currency (not GBP) before entering your PIN/signing. If it shows GBP anywhere refuse to sign/enter PIN, and insist they redo in local currency.

Same at cashpoints, some will offer GBP, make sure you choose local currency.

Enjoy your holiday!

Gloomendoom

Mrs G and I visit Cyprus often. Mrs G has a clarity card which we use to pay for anything and everything that can be paid by card. We don't use it to get cash out of ATMs because, as has been said, although there is no fee, interest starts to be charged immediately.

Chip and PIN is widespread, as are hand-held terminals. At busy times some petrol stations have attendant service and cash is preferred because cards hold them up.

Another tip is to have a backup credit or debit card. You might need it if an ATM eats your Clarity card two days into your holiday. It happened to us on our honeymoon.

zagfles

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Mrs G and I visit Cyprus often. Mrs G has a clarity card which we use to pay for anything and everything that can be paid by card. We don't use it to get cash out of ATMs because, as has been said, although there is no fee, interest starts to be charged immediately

How do you get cash then? There aren't many better ways than the Clarity for short holidays, it certainly a LOT cheaper than changing currency.

Gloomendoom

zagfles wrote: »

How do you get cash then? There aren't many better ways than the Clarity for short holidays, it certainly a LOT cheaper than changing currency.

You are right. My brain has failed me at this late hour. We do use it to cash out... or Mrs G does. I just spend it.

luci

Good point about making sure the transaction is in local currency and not GBP. However just because the terminal shows the transaction in the local currency doesn't mean DCC won't be used. After you enter your pin and hand it back to the operator, there is a button they can press AFTER you have authorised it to change it to GBP. For safety's sake just make sure you always state that you want the transaction in euros or whatever.

Attackthebanks

Thanks a MILLION guys, all tips greatly appreciated and as usual MSE guys never fail to come through with good advice!
Duly noted cheers!

laplandmad

We have used our Halifax Clarity in Cyprus and never had any problems. We tend to take our Nationwide Debit card to withdraw cash, although there is a charge now.
We have found that the best exchange rate if you have English cash is at small tourist/liquor stores. They work out better than the cash machines. (Not everyone wants to take cash abroad I know, but as lond as you have a safe at your accommodation it's fine)

Gloomendoom

We used to have a Nationwide card but gave it up when they started charging. I have never taken huge quantities of cash abroad and I certainly wouldn't trust any safe in a hotel or apartment room. They are far too easy to break into or even remove all together. Most I have seen are secured by a couple of small screws to the wall or even to chipboard wardrobe shelves.

We use a mix of cash, debit and credit cards depending on what country we are in. Usually we get a small float of local currency from Travelex before we leave. When it runs out we just get money out of ATMs as and when, just like we do at home.

zagfles

luci wrote: »

Good point about making sure the transaction is in local currency and not GBP. However just because the terminal shows the transaction in the local currency doesn't mean DCC won't be used. After you enter your pin and hand it back to the operator, there is a button they can press AFTER you have authorised it to change it to GBP. For safety's sake just make sure you always state that you want the transaction in euros or whatever.

In that case you can request a chargeback via your bank - the retailer can't just change the amount you've authorised after you've authorised it. And changing the currency is changing the amount.