buying things abroad

newgirl1980

Hi, I'll need a credit card for trips to Cuba next month and Canada in May. I understand Cuba doesn't accept credit cards from American banks. Which would be the best card for me to get to use on purchases abroad? Halifax clarity, Aqua or Post Office? I would always pay in full. Thanks

unimaginative_user_name

When in October are you going? I applied for Halifax Clarity and it took about three weeks to arrive.

All the cards are good for purchases abroad. Is the Aqua the one that also gives cashback? That might be a consideration. However it's not good for ATM withdrawals whereas Clarity is.

chattychappy

Don't forget - always pay in Euros. I've heard that DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) is common in Ireland. This is where the retailer offers you a so-called GBP equivalent which you sign for. You SHOULD always get the choice to pay in Euros. The GBP amount will almost certainly be inflated - possibly by as much as 7%, most of which goes to the retailer. Insist on paying in Euros.

robert_derbyshire

I concur with chattychap.
I had a bill in spain charged as sterling - i insisted they issue a credit and a new charge made in euros.
I just received my statement - the credit was £145.40 and the new charge was £136.98. Big difference.

newgirl1980

would i even ask to pay in Euro's in Canada and Cuba? I've never had a credit card before.

dazza.mk

newgirl1980 wrote: »

would i even ask to pay in Euro's in Canada and Cuba? I've never had a credit card before.

No, you always ask to pay in the local currency.

Ie Canada you SHOULD be given the option to select Canadian Dollars or £ , if you choose £ then the value is translated at a poor exchange rate, with CAD it is translated at your credit card rate, always better but a lot better if Clarity, Aqua, Post Office.

unimaginative_user_name

newgirl1980 wrote: »

would i even ask to pay in Euro's in Canada and Cuba? I've never had a credit card before.

No the important thing is to pay in the local currency or you could lose out thanks to a poor exchange rate. (I think chattychappy might be thinking of a similar thread on here where the OP is going to Ireland.)

dazza.mk

newgirl1980 wrote: »

would i even ask to pay in Euro's in Canada and Cuba? I've never had a credit card before.

No, you always ask to pay in the local currency.

Ie Canada you SHOULD be given the option to select Canadian Dollars or £ , if you choose £ then the value is translated at a poor exchange rate, with CAD it is translated at your credit card rate, always better but a lot better if Clarity, Aqua, Post Office.

They should always give you the choice as to currency, but some don't, which is when you need them to credit it as above.

chattychappy

Even if you are using a mainstream card (ie one that typically charges 3% for foreign transactions) then you will almost certainly still be better off paying in the local currency.