Any UK issued USD$ Credit Cards Out there?

marnstars

Hello. Might be a stupid question, but I have a timeshare in Florida and am next due to go next April.

Not a fan of travellers cheques and have already bought some $cash (enough cash) but prefer to use a credit card when travelling. I am therefore looking for a British issued credit card in USD$ currency that I can load at today's rates and spend in the future.

Am I asking too much! Prefer this not to be one of the prepaid cards that seem to be expensive to run.

Cheers in anticipation of any help.

inmypocketnottheirs

An alternative would be to open a UK sterling account with citibank. You can then open a US$ current account with cheque book. Although you won't get a US$ credit card, you can switch your UK Visa debit card from the UK current account to the US$ account, so that whilst you are away your dollar account will be debited.

Plus the exchange rates for transferring £ to $ is not too bad. I transferred a couple of weeks back and got $1.97 to £1.

Furthermore you can also open a US$ deposit account, although the rate is not as good as £.

Take a look at https://www.citibank.co.uk

HTH

p1an0player

A Nationwide credit card is completely fee-free for purchases abroad, although that doesn't help you to lock in the strong pound.

Cardew

Having a property in the USA, I also have a Citibank account as described above; I also have Nationwide Debit/Credit cards. I only use Citibank for cheque payments where Nationwide 'plastic' is not acceptable; as the Citibank rate is normally 3-4 cents below Nationwide.

The OP wanting to lock in today's rates for next April is going to lose 4-5% in lost interest(say 8-9 cents) unless he buys forward currency.

Personally I would simply get a Nationwide Credit card

lon_don

Open an off-shore bank account ?
HSBC off-shore Jersey gives you an USD Visa Debit Card on your USD current account

wealth2wealth

I live in Tunisia
can I open a citibank account in UK or USA

jonesMUFCforever

wealth2wealth wrote: »

I live in Tunisia
can I open a citibank account in UK or USA

Not without coming here in person and even then you might be restricted as to what account is offered. Does Citibank not have branches in Tunisia?

marnstars

Thanks for the feedback so far and yes, really wanting to lock this in on the strength of the £ at the moment.

Have seen Citibank - but there are monthly charges, aren't there?

Cheers you guys (and gals)!

Cardew

marnstars wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback so far and yes, really wanting to lock this in on the strength of the £ at the moment.

Have seen Citibank - but there are monthly charges, aren't there?

Cheers you guys (and gals)!

Not if you keep £2000 'across' the relationship - stick £2000 in their savings account. or $4,000 in their US savings account.

They try to put you on the 'premium' account for £10 a month - free travel insurance and other 'perks' but if you don't need it go for the 'basic' account which still gives you all the USA bank facilities

Cardew

wealth2wealth wrote: »

I live in Tunisia
can I open a citibank account in UK or USA

I opened one in UK

anything

LloydsTSB have some kind of travel card - I think you preload and then can take out cash at an ATM or use it as a credit card.

You can also open an international dollar account with them, so you can buy dollars at the rate now and keep them in a seperate account, and again you get a card, I think an ATM card, that doesn't charge a fee when you take out dollars which is good.