Halifax Clarity - Humour me!

purplestar133

wwfc wrote: »

Have just returned from Orlando

I took $750 with me in cash and the Clarity, in reality I didn't need to take any cash, didn't have any problems using the card at any location, even for purchases or a couple of dollars.

It worked out a great way of spending, I worked it out that I was getting a rate of about $1.54 usd to the pound, where as if id have took all money the rate was about $1.47 usd to the pound before we left.

Also remember if it gives you an option of paying in local currency or £ go for the local currency.

Also ring Halifax and let them know you will be abroad between the dates you are going, they will put a note on your file and hopefully you will be less likely to get declined.

Yes, I need to remember to do that.

I'm not sure there will be as many places in Ibiza accepting cards as there are in Orlando, just because we will be eating/drinking in small, independent places - shacks on the beach! I'm being judgemental though and making assumptions, I don't know for sure.

opinions4u

purplestar133 wrote: »

This leads me to another question! If I happen to spend on one of these back up cards, which would be a 'bog standard overseas spending card' according to the MSE guide, let's say American Express as an example...I would pay the 'load' on the exchange rate and if I repaid in full after my statement there would be no interest?

No interest for purchases. Potential issues with cash advances though.

The load for this card is 2.99% so, if the above is correct, wouldn't I be paying a similar amount if I exchanged the same amount at a bureaux de change, about 3% as Yorkshire Boy says?

Yes!

clippy_girl

i used mine in new zealand when i was there for 5 weeks. as they make the card such a pain to pay off in that you have to add them as a payee to your current account and transfer cash to pay it off i used this to my advantage.

using wifi (free of course :rotfl:) i would log onto natwest app and transfer the rough amount i knew i wanted to withdraw 2 days before i planned to withdraw the cash. the payment would be cleared when i withdrew the cash so there was no balance for me to pay interest on! :beer: i think i paid pennies in interest on the few times i didnt transfer until after i had withdrawn the cash :money: i got about £400 out about 5 times.