Fair fx euro or Halifax Clarity

evosy1978

Hey up.

Were booking a holiday tommorow but we dont know where were going yet, and it will be for leaving on Wednesday. It will be either the canaries, mainland Spain or one of the Greek islands.

I have a Fair fx Euro card with £200 on it. I also have a Halifax clarity card which I took out 2 years ago on Martins advice but I actually Never used it and its just sat in my drawer BUT its defo still active. I got it at the higher rate of 21.5%...

Anyway could anyone tell me which one is the cheapest way to spend in restaurants and shops and also to draw out of ATM`s.

p.s I have a santander everyday current account and heard that it may be free withdrawals in Spain?

Any advice ,

Thanks

ManAtHome

Depends how much cash you're likely to need...

Youl have the Euros on the Caxton card, may as well use them - it's one of the best for withdrawing small sums as there's no ATM charge.

Buying stuff with the Clarity is interest-free and you'll get the current Mastercard rate - just watch out for shops etc 'helping' by trying to charge you in Sterling (normally at a less-than-good rate) - pretty endemic in Spain.

ATM withdrawals with Clarity are quite cheap anyway (even at 21.5%) if you pay off as soon as you get home (or while you're away if you can be bothered). If you're away for a week or two, this should be cheaper than loading the Caxton with extra money.

Think any Santander accounts which needs minimum funding each month allows free withdrawals at Santander ATMs in Spain (including the Canaries) - have a browse round the Santander site, sure I've seen details there.

evosy1978

Hello, Thanks for the very informative response.

Just to confirm,

You say Caxton card- is this the the same as the Fair FX Euro, just a different name?

Also to confirm.
Using my clarity card to to withdraw money from ATM`s and paying off when I get home + interest, will return me more Euros to my pound than pre-loading my FX card before I go?

Thanks

111KAB

Just a quick word re Halifax Clarity - you are meant to inform them when you intend (one day notice required) to use your card abroad and in what country. As yours has not been active for a while strongly suggest you do this. They may 'phone you if they notice 'any unusual activity' however this assumes you have advised them of your mobile number, your mobile is with you and switched on!

ManAtHome

Cheers Kab, Halifax seem a bit hit and miss about being informed - I occasionally forget and haven't had a problem, but I do travel regularly.

Evosy - sorry about bringing the Caxton in (brain not what it used to be...). The FairFX Euro card does charge for ATM withdrawals (€1.50 a time) so not as good as Caxton for withdrawing small amounts.

Just done a quick check - Clarity will get you over €1.24 to the quid** whereas FairFX is €1.2170. So, if you withdraw €200 on the first day of your hols (and pay Clarity when you get home, say 18 days later), sums are:
FairFX - €200 at 1.2170 = £164.34 + ATM fee £1.23 - total £165.57
Clarity - €200 at 1.24 = £161.29 + 18 days interest £1.71 - total £163.00

**BBC currency site

Couple of points - not really worth fretting over unless you are planing on spending heaps, and could go either way in practice - eg if you load the FairFX today and the Pound drops agains the Euro or vice versa (as you always get 'todays rate' with the Clarity)...

ForkHandles_2

I've used FairFX for 3 years now. I like the way you can lock in your exchange rate by purchasing Euros when the rate is high. Although after my trip to Spain last week I'm seriously going to re-considder.

The first time I drove to Spain I discovered the card didn't work in the French Tolls (Peage) but was OK in automated fuel stations. It seems to have a problem with automated sites or in situations where a pin code isn't required (Peage).

Last week I tried to fill up at the Leclerc just outside Nonancourt and it was refused despite having loaded 700 euros on it. I've filled up there on many occasions over the last 3 years but not this time.

I wouldn't rely 100% on FairFX, always have an alternative or two and make sure you're never have less than half a tank, especially on a Saturday afternoon/evening otherwise you might find yourself stuck.

I'll be applying for the Clarity card a little later today.

All the best!

FH

evosy1978

Thanks, so not much in it...

Just a quick one. I thought it was a big nono to use the clarity for ATM`s? (because of charges) and I should only use it for restaurants and shops... (have I got that wrong)?

Also, with relation to phoning halifax, I actually phoned them yesterday to set up online banking, I went through the usual security checks and I happen to mention Im going on hols in the next few weeks... would this be sufficient, or do you think another more direct phone call about the holiday is in order.?

Thanks

zagfles

evosy1978 wrote: »

Thanks, so not much in it...

Just a quick one. I thought it was a big nono to use the clarity for ATM`s? (because of charges) and I should only use it for restaurants and shops... (have I got that wrong)?

Yes. The Clarity is better for ATMs, you pay immediate interest but as long as you pay it off when you get back off holiday it'll be a lot less than the charges on a pre-paid card. If the ATM offers to charge you in GBP make sure you say NO.

Also, with relation to phoning halifax, I actually phoned them yesterday to set up online banking, I went through the usual security checks and I happen to mention Im going on hols in the next few weeks... would this be sufficient, or do you think another more direct phone call about the holiday is in order.?

Thanks

They usually ask what countries you're going to and when.

rubsley

deleted cos it's pointless wot i wrote