Overseas Credit Cards

B_Redbury

Hi

I'm going to be working in France for around seven months, can anyone help me understand what would be the best credit card to use.

I will be paid into an English bank account, so I'd like to avoid losing money on commission and exchange rates etc, so which card should I go for?

I do have cash that I can load onto the card in advance if this influences the decision.

Thanks

unimaginative_user_name

With most if not all credit cards it is against their terms and conditions to load them in advance. There are prepaid cards but they have charges.

Martin has a list on the travel section of the main board which lists the cards which are best overseas. I use Halifax Clarity abroad as the exchange rate is good, there are no transaction fees and no ATM fees. The only charge there is is interest on cash withdrawals which can be minimised if you check your balance online and pay asap.

There are other cards though so I would check the main site.

I hope you really enjoy working in France.

Joolee

I used the halifax clarity for a holiday recently. I paid off the balance when I returned home rather than waiting for the bill to arrive and was charged only 47p for withdrawing almost £700 !

BlueScouse

Glad everyone likes the Halifax Clarity card, because I've been trying to get one for a while and I have to say that I am VERY disappointed with the time taken for Halifax to process the application. Two weeks after filling in the on-line application I am still waiting for a Credit Agreement, let alone a card.
Trying to query this with Halifax is almost impossible, unless you register a complaint with them. And that. I believe takes up to seven working days to get a response!
Come on Halifax - you are better than this.

unimaginative_user_name

I have to agree with BlueScouse that the Halifax seem slow to process applications. I applied for the Clarity card three to four weeks before I went on holiday this summer and it only just arrived in time.

inmypocketnottheirs

Aqua Card for free of charge overseas credit card and open an account with Metro Bank for free of charge overseas usage debit MasterCard.

chattychappy

Consider the PO Credit Card - great for foreign foreign purchases. Loading free and 0% for 3 months on purchases.

For cash, usual rules apply (cash advance fee plus interest from date of withdrawal), but still loading free.

Well worth taking 2 or 3 cards for such a trip. They can get blocked and getting replacements for lost cards whilst overseas can be tricky.

reclusive46

Norwich and Peterborough debit card maybe? You can apply online.