Can you load money on to a credit card?

SouthernGuy

Hi Guys,

I'm going on my Honeymoon in august to the USA and have just got the Halifax clarity card but they've given me a low credit limit. I want to spend about 3 times the amount of the credit limit and already have the money in the bank. Can I just pay extra to the credit card putting me in credit? Would it then allow me to spend the extra money and upto the credit limit extra?

If not how best do you think I should take/spend my money?

Many thanks
SouthernGuy

guesswho2000

No, that's specifically against the T&Cs and may end up with the card being blocked.

Best bet it to spend on it/withdraw cash, then pay it straight off using online banking via Faster Payments, freeing up the available credit to be used again.

garynuman

Or get a prepaid card such as Kalixa.

Gaz

The-Gaffer

the cashplus prepaid ones good its a gold card prepaid offering the same protection as a standard credit card,

:cool:

SouthernGuy

Thanks for replies.

I think I'll do as suggested and login every couple of days to pay off the card. Would it matter if my payment reached the account before the purchases had finished processing?

Surely if the transaction is shown as processing (my available credit shows as decreased by transactions amount) it's accepted to pay the money into the account to pay it off and they then wouldn't accuse me of loading extra money?

Many thanks

guesswho2000

SouthernGuy wrote: »

Surely if the transaction is shown as processing (my available credit shows as decreased by transactions amount) it's accepted to pay the money into the account to pay it off and they then wouldn't accuse me of loading extra money?

You'd probably be fine doing this, although the only way to be sure is to wait for the transaction to appear, unless you need the available credit back that quickly I suppose!

SouthernGuy

Well they've only given me (the what seems to be common) £500 credit limit despite me having a good credit history. It's my honeymoon and I'm going for just under 3 weeks. Will prob easily spend more than that. I will be taking cash also however so might be ok.

aideng

You can also use a prepaid credit card... A lot of banks offer prepaid cards with Mastercard or Visa

SouthernGuy

Hi guys,

I just thought I'd give you a quick update on what I decided to do.

I've just purchased and loaded a FairFX prepaid mastercard with $1500.
I will use this for most spending whilst in the US.

I've got a Halifax Clarity credit card (currently empty) with a limit of £500.
I will take this for emergencies.

I plan to take £500 worth of US dollars in cash with me.

Does this sound like a good plan? Also which card would you advise withdrawing cash on whilst over there if needed?

I have internet access to pay off/Top up cards whilst over there from my bank account if needed.

Thanks
SouthernGuy

guesswho2000

I believe FairFX charges for withdrawals, Halifax Clarity do not, I'd make the cash withdrawals using the Clarity and pay them off asap using online banking, the couple of days interest (even on the full £500 limit) wouldn't be as much as the FairFX withdrawal fee:beer:

duchesspink1

remember you might need your credit card available funds to use when you check into hotels.

Every hotel i've ever checked into in america wanted to hold funds on my credit card and sometimes the funds can be held for days after you check out