What card to take abroad when travelling?

clg86

My partner and I are traveling to California, Japan, Borneo, and Hong Kong in a couple of months and I'm wondering what card to take for our money.
I've looked at the link that :money: has written about it, but I'm still not sure what is better.
Is it cheaper to use credit card or debit card?
We would be looking to get cash out at ATMs and pay for meals and drink with it etc.

Thanks

NiftyDigits

Halifax Clarity for CC and ATM withdrawals(pay off as soon as possible. Don't wait for statement). Metro Bank debit and credit.

loobs40

seconded

opinions4u

Have back up cards too - even if you don't intend to use them.

Ideally a mix of Visa, Mastercard and AMEX credit cards and Visa and Mastercard debit cards across different banking groups.

Between me and Mrs o4u we take 8 cards abroad. The one we use is Halifax Clarity.

Doshwaster

opinions4u wrote: »

Have back up cards too - even if you don't intend to use them.

Ideally a mix of Visa, Mastercard and AMEX credit cards and Visa and Mastercard debit cards across different banking groups.

Between me and Mrs o4u we take 8 cards abroad. The one we use is Halifax Clarity.

Good advice. I once had 3 cards from the same bank blocked at the same time. Maybe 8 cards is overkill but I'd always want at least 2 or 3 (and keep them separate!)

An Amex is especially useful in the US as it is accepted in many more places than in Europe and their customer service is excellent when it comes to shipping you a replacement. Their interest rates may be high but I always take it to the US as a "card of last resort".

Bob_the_Saver

Doshwaster wrote: »

Good advice. I once had 3 cards from the same bank blocked at the same time. Maybe 8 cards is overkill but I'd always want at least 2 or 3 (and keep them separate!)

An Amex is especially useful in the US as it is accepted in many more places than in Europe and their customer service is excellent when it comes to shipping you a replacement. Their interest rates may be high but I always take it to the US as a "card of last resort".

No, you never know what will happen.

Obviously_the_best

Between me and Mrs OTB we take 9, including 2 amex, 3 visa and 4 mastercard, including a metro bank card, which is our main one for spending.

Bob_the_Saver

Any less than this would be negligent

http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000M5HKeTnhdgc/s/750/750/20100606WalletCreditCards0011.jpg

Gloomendoom

Obviously_the_best wrote: »

Between me and Mrs OTB we take 9, including 2 amex, 3 visa and 4 mastercard, including a metro bank card, which is our main one for spending.

OTB, that's just OTT

Bob_the_Saver

A few year ago we were in,........ somewhere or other in Asia on a 5 month trip with 5 blocked cards. had to rely on Fairfx in those days which didn't let us down. Still had 9 others as back-up though.

Mr_Wang

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

A few year ago we were in,........ somewhere or other in Asia on a 5 month trip with 5 blocked cards. had to rely on Fairfx in those days which didn't let us down. Still had 9 others as back-up though.

Can't believe you mentioned Fair Fx..... That's like lighting touch paper these days

...But then, Fair Fx has never let me down either