Halifax Clarity Card still best for abroad?

MrMrMr

Hi

I'm going away again this year to Spain. The last 2 years we've been away (not to Spain), we've used a Thomas Cook Cash Passport. They worked fine.

I have a Barclaycard and Virgin CC at the moment, but these have fees etc. I've checked the MSE and still seems to say the Halifax Clarity CC is best - is this so from member point of view?

I would only use it for holidays, and also have a Halifax Ultimate extras current acc, and believe that if you spend over £500/month on the CC you get £5 off a month of the current account monthly fee?

Also can you confirm that all spending as long as paid off in full (I'll setup a direct debit for full amount), wont cost me anything in interest fees?

So basically I can use abroad with no fees, and then pay off at end of month? What I don't understand is on the MSE site it states
"Loading (exchange rate fee). Europe: 0% | Worldwide: 0% Cash withdrawals. Fee: FREE | Interest: Yes even if repaid in full"

So interest is paid even if paid off in full?

I would only use it as a credit card, not to withdraw cash, we will take Euros for this general spending, it will be used for meals, at bars for drinks, supermarkets, gifts, excursions etc

cheers

opinions4u

MrMrMr wrote: »

I have a Barclaycard and Virgin CC at the moment, but these have fees etc.

Take them as a back up plan.

I've checked the MSE and still seems to say the Halifax Clarity CC is best - is this so from member point of view?

I think so.

I would only use it for holidays, and also have a Halifax Ultimate extras current acc, and believe that if you spend over £500/month on the CC you get £5 off a month of the current account monthly fee?

You may be mixing up your products.

To save £5 on the URCA fee their web site says "The Ultimate Reward Current Account will cost you £15 a month. If you pay in £750 or more, have a minimum of two different direct debit mandates paid from your account each calendar month and keep your account in credit, you will pay the lower monthly account fee of £10."

If you spend £300 on a Clarity Reward Credit Card they'll give you an additional £5 knocked off the following month's balance. I believe you need to apply in branch for this.

Also can you confirm that all spending as long as paid off in full (I'll setup a direct debit for full amount), wont cost me anything in interest fees?

As long as it is purchases only and there are no locally applied charges. Always pay in the local currency.

So basically I can use abroad with no fees, and then pay off at end of month? What I don't understand is on the MSE site it states
"Loading (exchange rate fee). Europe: 0% | Worldwide: 0% Cash withdrawals. Fee: FREE | Interest: Yes even if repaid in full"

So interest is paid even if paid off in full?

On cash withdrawals only.

Herbalus

Yes.

It is the best because of the lack of charges it has, not because of popular support or best colour etc.

There will be a charge if you withdraw cash. This is because they charge interest on cash withdrawals even if you pay off in full. The interest on 12.9% APR is minimal - about 0.5% for 2 weeks. To minimise this cost you would need to pay off the card balance with a faster payment after every time you withdraw cash. If you don't use it for cash there will be no charge if you pay it off with direct debit on the statement due date.

Withdrawing cash on the Clarity is cheaper than taking cash. The interest cost is at most 1.5% (depending on the statement date and when you spend) if you leave it for the direct debit to pay. You will pay a minimum of 4% getting euros in the UK.

marko4ever25

opinions4u wrote: »

Take them as a back up plan.
I think so.

You may be mixing up your products.

To save £5 on the URCA fee their web site says "The Ultimate Reward Current Account will cost you £15 a month. If you pay in £750 or more, have a minimum of two different direct debit mandates paid from your account each calendar month and keep your account in credit, you will pay the lower monthly account fee of £10."

If you spend £300 on a Clarity Reward Credit Card they'll give you an additional £5 knocked off the following month's balance. I believe you need to apply in branch for this.

As long as it is purchases only and there are no locally applied charges. Always pay in the local currency.

On cash withdrawals only.

i have card and have a special tip -pay in money into your account so your in credit then you can withdraw anywhere in world without fees! only use the money you use and much safer!

MrMrMr

I "only" pay £10/month for my URCA, and so am thinking that if I use the clarity card I will reduce the fee again by £5 if I spend £300 on the clarity in a month, which I probably would.

Ah so the interest is only for cash withdrawals. I wont do that then!

marko4ever25 wrote: »

i have card and have a special tip -pay in money into your account so your in credit then you can withdraw anywhere in world without fees! only use the money you use and much safer!

Thats a good tip, although it states on the FAQ that NOT to go into credit on it, not how CC works. I've heard this is actually bad for credit rating etc? ie have money in Credit on a CC? Do you do this just for when you go on holiday?

I take it can be managed online and so I could pay off a payment online on the same day when abroad?

So its actually cheaper o use it for cash withdrawals if required! thanks
thanks, think I'll apply, and not take my Virgin or Barclaycard ones.

opinions4u

MrMrMr wrote: »

I "only" pay £10/month for my URCA, and so am thinking that if I use the clarity card I will reduce the fee again by £5 if I spend £300 on the clarity in a month, which I probably would.

The £5 for credit card use is credited to the credit card, not directly offset against the URCA fee. All swings and roundabouts - you can still be £10 up - but just thought I'd clarify.

Ah so the interest is only for cash withdrawals. I wont do that then!

It's still cheaper than taking a wad of currency with you. Repaying it quickly minimises any interest charge.

For the record, I don't use it for cash overseas, but it's still good vale.

Thats a good tip, although it states on the FAQ that NOT to go into credit on it, not how CC works. I've heard this is actually bad for credit rating etc? ie have money in Credit on a CC? Do you do this just for when you go on holiday?

The main risk of going in to credit balance is that you get the card frozen.

I take it can be managed online and so I could pay off a payment online on the same day when abroad?

Yes.

So its actually cheaper o use it for cash withdrawals if required! thanks
thanks, think I'll apply, and not take my Virgin or Barclaycard ones.

Take them. Just don't use them. If the Halifax card fails you for any reason you could be stuffed if you don't have a back up card.

marko4ever25 wrote: »

i have card and have a special tip -pay in money into your account so your in credit then you can withdraw anywhere in world without fees! only use the money you use and much safer!

It breaches the T&Cs. It also runs the risk of getting your account frozen.

hunsbury0

MrMrMr wrote: »

Hi

I'm going away again this year to Spain. The last 2 years we've been away (not to Spain), we've used a Thomas Cook Cash Passport. They worked fine.

I have a Barclaycard and Virgin CC at the moment, but these have fees etc. I've checked the MSE and still seems to say the Halifax Clarity CC is best - is this so from member point of view?

I would only use it for holidays, and also have a Halifax Ultimate extras current acc, and believe that if you spend over £500/month on the CC you get £5 off a month of the current account monthly fee?

Also can you confirm that all spending as long as paid off in full (I'll setup a direct debit for full amount), wont cost me anything in interest fees?

So basically I can use abroad with no fees, and then pay off at end of month? What I don't understand is on the MSE site it states
"Loading (exchange rate fee). Europe: 0% | Worldwide: 0% Cash withdrawals. Fee: FREE | Interest: Yes even if repaid in full"

So interest is paid even if paid off in full?

I would only use it as a credit card, not to withdraw cash, we will take Euros for this general spending, it will be used for meals, at bars for drinks, supermarkets, gifts, excursions etc

cheers

Do NOT wait for the statement, pay off as soon as you can ( for cash with drawls) when you get back.
If you got safe internet, then also you can pay off as soon as you see the transactions online in internet banking.

wwfc_2

what it would cost in interest for a cash withdrawal would still work out cheaper than changing your money here and taking it with you, it will be minimal over a couple of weeks and you get a better exchange rate.

I used the card for a couple of purchases in Lanzarote last November and also took some cash out when we ran out and I paid less than 50p interest!

I recently used it in USA for ALL purchases, even tiny ones and paid the balance as soon as we got home, I didn't need to withdraw cash as I took a few dollars with me to see me by.

Just remember when withdrawing cash and it asks you if you want the transaction in Euro or GBP always choose Euro.

Take a back up card and also let Halifax know when your going and there shouldn't be any problems.

Best card ive ever had

Enjoy your holiday

planteria

good thread.
ive been to France 3 times so far this year, spending on Amex and Barclaycards and probably should be spending more wisely with a different card

reclusive46

planteria wrote: »

good thread.
ive been to France 3 times so far this year, spending on Amex and Barclaycards and probably should be spending more wisely with a different card

Regarding the Amex, keep an eye on their facebook and twitter page, occasionally (Especially in the summer) they have foreign transaction free promotions.

chattychappy

hunsbury0 wrote: »

Do NOT wait for the statement, pay off as soon as you can ( for cash with drawls) when you get back.
If you got safe internet, then also you can pay off as soon as you see the transactions online in internet banking.

Yes, with the proviso that if there is still an outstanding balance from the previous statement, payments will likely be applied to that balance first. So best to clear the entire balance (statemented and unstatemented) asap after pulling out the cash. If you use DDs, you have to consider their interaction with manual payments.