credit cards abroad

sun2day

Hi,we are going to Florida next year and travelling around quite a lot and want to pay for our accommodation with a credit card,
which do you think would be the best one to go for to avoid charges.

ElDavido

To my knowledge the best cards are the Halifax Clarity and the Aqua card, which both have no overseas transaction fees, no exchange loading and decent exchange rates. The APR on the aqua is pretty high as it is aimed at people (re)building credit ratings but that isn't much of a problem if you are organised. It also has the option of 3% cash back which is pretty nice.

Fingerbobs

ElDavido wrote: »

To my knowledge the best cards are the Halifax Clarity and the Aqua card, which both have no overseas transaction fees, no exchange loading and decent exchange rates. The APR on the aqua is pretty high as it is aimed at people (re)building credit ratings but that isn't much of a problem if you are organised. It also has the option of 3% cash back which is pretty nice.

Another snag with Aqua is new customers tend to get very low credit limits, which might not be enough for holiday expenses.

My only gripe with Halifax Clarity is the appalling web site. The card itself is great.

unimaginative_user_name

The other thing I would say with Clarity is apply now if you haven't been making lots of other applications recently. Some people on the forum have complained that although they were accepted the credit limit was so low that it was not enough to cover hotel bills etc. At least if you've got some history of using the card well in this country they might consider increasing your limit if it starts off low.

The other advantage of Clarity is there is no cash withdrawal fee abroad although you still have to pay interest like any other cc. IIRC Aqua charges for ATM transactions.

You say 'we' are going...If I were you I would be tempted to apply for both, one of you to Aqua for the cash back and the other to Halifax Clarity for the ATM benefits.

sun2day

Thank you all, some good advice there, will look in to these credit cards .

cos_2

Please remember to call your company and tell them when you're going, and where.

Twice, the last two years in a row, my wife headed off to the States before me and I got the phone call/facebook message/email/text/all-of-the-above saying "my card's been declined!" Not great when you've a trolley (cart, I should say ) full of stuff at the checkout and not one card will work!

When it happened in year two she was several levels below disgruntled . . .

Edited - when i say 'where' I just mean USA, not every place you visit. But you knew that

unimaginative_user_name

That's sound advice from Cos.

sun2day

Cos that was bad luck for you, I did`nt know that you had to let the credit card company know that you were going to be using the card abroad.

Fingerbobs

cos wrote: »

Please remember to call your company and tell them when you're going, and where.

Twice, the last two years in a row, my wife headed off to the States before me and I got the phone call/facebook message/email/text/all-of-the-above saying "my card's been declined!" Not great when you've a trolley (cart, I should say ) full of stuff at the checkout and not one card will work!

When it happened in year two she was several levels below disgruntled . . .

Edited - when i say 'where' I just mean USA, not every place you visit. But you knew that

I've never pre-warned any of my card providers about any foreign trips, and have never had any problems using my cards abroad.

In fact, last time I was in China, I was the only member of my party who had a working card to pay the hotel bill :rotfl:

reclusive46

Fingerbobs wrote: »

I've never pre-warned any of my card providers about any foreign trips, and have never had any problems using my cards abroad.

In fact, last time I was in China, I was the only member of my party who had a working card to pay the hotel bill :rotfl:

One, it depends on the card issuer but places like Orlando etc. are common fraud places and are on the banks hit list and bare in mind the magstripe is also used, so there is less security. The USA though is the only country I've ever found the need to inform the companies.

American Express on the otherhand never really need to be notified, never had my card declined by them incorrectly

exel1966

unimaginative_user_name wrote: »

That's sound advice from Cos.

But unfortunately ignored by many companies and does not stop a card from getting blocked.

Incidentally I'd recommend the Post Office card to use abroad. Good exchange rate, no transaction surcharge, interest free currency withdrawals from PO's if paid in full by the due date and free purchase protection insurance.

I've personally never advised any credit card company and have travelled extensively through Europe, Asia, South, Central and North America without problems.

A little dated but......http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/cards/2009/07/going-on-holiday-ensure-your-cards-