Halifax Clarity Card still best for abroad?

virgo17

chattychappy wrote: »

I don't have Clarity, but use a number of other cards and most of my spend is foreign.

I've found that phoning in advance makes little difference as to whether a card gets blocked.

Well I can only go by personal experience and I do have the Clarity card. In fact when I phone before travelling abroad the CSR often refers to the overseas travel form she completes which presumably indicates that Halifax at least have some mechanism for trying not to block cards used abroad.

Having siad that, it will probably happen to me on my next trip to Spain in seven days time. :rotfl:

reclusive46

virgo17 wrote: »

Having siad that, it will probably happen to me on my next trip to Spain in seven days time. :rotfl:

Haha I think it often does depend on the country as well. Spain is pretty commonly visited by Brits and the Spanish are very much into preventing card fraud. With non chip and pin cards they always check ID and the signature.

It also depends on the issuers fraud system. If a certain issuer has a lot of customers going to one location, its much easier for them build up a fraud profile. This is why I think certain issuers are better in general like Capital One, HSBC and Amex who issue cards all around the world or atleast in several countries. Amex also have the further advantage that they control the network as well, so the fraud systems are going to know more about each merchant.

It also depends on how the companies act on potential fraud, Amex and Capital One are more into calling you afterwards rather than blocking the transaction itself.

virgo17

reclusive46 wrote: »

the Spanish are very much into preventing card fraud. With non chip and pin cards they always check ID and the signature.

Tell me about it!

We have a villa in Spain. Belt, braces and then some more. Most places still want to see ID even with a chip and pin card. Mercadona supermarkets are one of the few who don't.

xtra_time

I have normally used Travellers Cheques in the past but just applied for the Clarity card and fly in 2 weeks (hope it arrives in time).

Would yo suggest I ring and say I am going to be using it abroad then as some seem to say they do? What do you do if it does get blocked? If you have to ring them wont that cost more than you would save using it in the first place.

Do you take any travel cheques as backup?

Doshwaster

It can't hurt to give them a call to say that you are going away. Then again, I haven't and have never had a problem.

As for travellers cheques, I think they went out with the ark. It's always good to have a backup but I just have another card (or two) which I keep separate from my main card.

reclusive46

Indeed, a lot of countries won't even take travellers cheques anyway or you'll be charged a huge fee. The USA is a bit of an exception; still its much easier to use a credit card.

renfrew999

Having read the posts on the Halifax Clarity it appears that it's:o;) definately the cheapest way to spend and withdraw cash when abroad. My only question is, does it seem a bit risky to go with no cash as a back up? I have applied for a Halifax Clarity card and intend to use it for as many payments as possible - ie. meals out etc, and to withdraw cash for day to day spending on smaller items. I just feal a bit exposed going without any cash in my back pocket! Does that sound risky for a two week family holiday in Spain? I just don't like the idea of exchanging money here for more than it would cost me to withdraw it in Spain.

reclusive46

renfrew999 wrote: »

Having read the posts on the Halifax Clarity it appears that it's:o;) definately the cheapest way to spend and withdraw cash when abroad. My only question is, does it seem a bit risky to go with no cash as a back up? I have applied for a Halifax Clarity card and intend to use it for as many payments as possible - ie. meals out etc, and to withdraw cash for day to day spending on smaller items. I just feal a bit exposed going without any cash in my back pocket! Does that sound risky for a two week family holiday in Spain? I just don't like the idea of exchanging money here for more than it would cost me to withdraw it in Spain.

Not really, its highly unlikely your card would ever even be blocked in Spain as its common for Brits to go there and its a Chip and Pin country. Just make sure you have a backup (Like your debit card, for an emergency). Also make sure you have your phone as they could call you.

unimaginative_user_name

i would always take a back up, even if it's just some sterling cash you could exchange in an emergency.

anoncol

reclusive46 wrote: »

From personal experience I gave up with the Clarity, they seemed to have a overzealous fraud system. I went to the USA a few weeks ago. It got blocked twice (On a 7 day trip in the first 2 days. I called up, used it for a few more transactions and it got blocked again). I just gave up and used my AmEx (I would have had to use it anyway as two restaurants I went to only accepted American Express) which charges a fee but I had no problem with that.

I also had problems on several occasions in Spain earlier this year with the card as well. Terminals kept saying "Unable to contact issuer" in Spanish but my Amex and other card (Also a MasterCard) worked fine.

I will be switching to another card for foreign travel.

We've just used it on holiday in spain no problem.

Always take a backup though, we took initial cash and other cards.