Halifax Clarity v PO Platinum

spursfan323

Hi all,

While I understand the HC is the best card for withdrawing cash abroad, as no ATM fee and only interest, how does it compare to the PO Platinum for making purchases abroad?

Am I correct that HC charges interest on purchases (as well as ATM use) whereas the POP has an interest free initial period even for purchases?

Speedy answers would be welcome - I'm off in 2 days!

Thanks !

YorkshireBoy

spursfan323 wrote: »

how does it compare to the PO Platinum for making purchases abroad?

Same exchange rate used.

Am I correct that HC charges interest on purchases (as well as ATM use) whereas the POP has an interest free initial period even for purchases?

No.

Speedy answers would be welcome - I'm off in 2 days!

Happy to oblige!

spursfan323

Wow that was quick indeed!

so are you saying that HC charges the 12.9% AER interest only on cash withdrawals, but other purchases are completely free abroad?

(Sorry for being obtuse)

YorkshireBoy

From your summary box...

Interest-free period

• Maximum 56 days for purchases if you pay the full balance shown on your previous and current statement on time.
• No interest-free period on balance transfers or cash withdrawals.

chattychappy

The PO card has a rather poor online system - if you're not careful you can be fooled into thinking that there haven't been any transactions or that no balance is due. It takes getting used to - do take care.

I've found PO customer services good on the phone. My PO card has been blocked very rarely, but I've found phoning them and getting the block taken off very easy. Also it has on occasion self-unblocked. (ie got blocked, won't work anywhere, but then a couple of days later works again. It's as if somebody has manually looked at the failed transactions and realised that it fits in with my usual travel pattern and unblocked it without a call from me.) I don't call them in advance.

Not got a Clarity card.