Heading for Ireland next month..

Dunree

I have a Cap One, daft interest rate, John Lewis card 16.9%, B/Card 21.9%, CO-OP Smile account and a Santander Premier.

Which would be the best for using over there?

I don't intend going silly, just visiting family and hotel bills

All purchases would be paid off immediately on my return

CLAPTON

assuming you will not be withdrawing cash on the CC then
what matters is the 'foreign' spending charge

unimaginative_user_name

Go to the Travel Motoring section on the main site where there's a tool where you can enter the details of each of your cards and find out which one charges the least for foreign currency purchases and ATM withdrawals.

guesswho2000

CLAPTON wrote: »

assuming you will not be withdrawing cash on the CC then
what matters is the 'foreign' spending charge

But if OP is going to be withdrawing cash, the Barclaycard, as their recent T&CS change makes it tolerable for withdrawing cash (still a fee, but there is now an interest free period).

In an ideal world, you wouldn't use any of those cards and take out one with better terms for overseas use...since you've got a month, if your history is up to scratch you might as well give it a shot!

Edit: you say Ireland, I'm assuming you mean the Republic, not NI?

mankarni

If ready to Apply; Halifax Clarity is best one with 0% surcharge on Foreign Purchases. And 0 Fee for Cash withdrawal but with Interest Applicable from date of withdrawal. The other option which I have applied is Aqua Rewards which also has 0% surcharge on Foreign Purchases and 3%(min 3) on cash withdrawals but high rate of 34%.

Dunree

Hi guys,

Thank you for the responses so far.

Rocket science moment: Of course it is the Republic. If I was going to the north, there would be no post.

I'll get some Euros over here first, but experience tells me that I'll probably have to withdraw some while in Ireland.

I'll be paying for things, ie; family meals, gifts for Mrs D etc while I'm there, but will there be hidden charges for using cards in Ireland?

Any help is very much appreciated

chattychappy

Dunree wrote: »

Rocket science moment: Of course it is the Republic. If I was going to the north, there would be no post.

Nothing "of course" about it on these boards!

Post Office Mastercard (coincidentally issued by the Bank of Ireland) is also 0% on purchases. Fee+interest for ATM though. I do remember there was some deal on buying Euros at the Post Office counter.

Confusing online system, but I've used it a lot overseas and it's rarely been blocked. (A hazard of using CCs abroad, whether or not you tell them beforehand. So don't rely on just one card.)

gawa75

I'll second the above message. I live in Northern Ireland and have a post office Mastercard for when I go down south to the Republic. No charge for card purchases.

Dunree

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the responses, and apologies for the flippant post, it had been a very long day...

Credit rating shot, so I don't think I'd be elegible for any more cards.

Also, got a KB from The Post Office for one of their cards

Looks like I'll take a load of Euros and hope that will be enough

RichL74

Have they invented credit cards in Irelend yet? I would be careful if I were you, take some potatoes just in case.

gawa75

RichL74 wrote: »

Have they invented credit cards in Irelend yet? I would be careful if I were you, take some potatoes just in case.

I agree totally. I was in a Wexford restaurant last year and they didn't take cards. Had to walk in the rain to a cash machine. Raging. Don't take card use for granted.