Best card for non sterling transaction

Roland_Sausage

I make monthly payments in US Dollars for a timeshare, and have been using an Amazon.co.uk credit card for this which I clear in full each month.

Every few months I earn a £10 Amazon voucher and all has been fine. However, it seems that I may have missed a change of terms, as this month the payment is accompanied by a non sterling transaction fee of £5.65 :mad:

Having to pay this monthly fee is of course going to cost more than I get back in Amazon vouchers, so time to find a new card I think.

So I am looking for the best value card for regular overseas spending. Is the Halifax clarity the best one to go for? I would also consider another reward card, but overall cost to me is the main consideration.

CLAPTON

are you sure this fee is 'new' or simply being shown separately for the first time?

Halifax Clarity don't charge of foreign spending

Roland_Sausage

Actually, I think you are correct. The amount paid is always the same - $294.98 and this usually comes in at around £197 to £201.

However on the latest transactions it is listed as £189.02 with £5.65 as the fee.

Will need to wait and see what the exchange rate shown on the statement next month shows.

CLAPTON

Roland_Sausage wrote: »

Actually, I think you are correct. The amount paid is always the same - $294.98 and this usually comes in at around £197 to £201.

However on the latest transactions it is listed as £189.02 with £5.65 as the fee.

Will need to wait and see what the exchange rate shown on the statement next month shows.

there has been a recent change in regulations which mean the charge must be separately shown.

YorkshireBoy

Roland_Sausage wrote: »

So I am looking for the best value card for regular overseas spending. Is the Halifax clarity the best one to go for? I would also consider another reward card, but overall cost to me is the main consideration.

The Halifax Clarity is good if you're making cash withdrawals and/or carrying an interest bearing balance.

If neither of these apply to you, then you have a choice of several...

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money#best

Roland_Sausage

Thanks Clapton, that makes sense and it looks like that is exactly what has happened.

Looks like I may still be better getting the Clarity and saving this fee every month.

I don't generally use credit cards for cash withdrawals abroad, but I could be tempted to as the Clarity seems better than what I currently do (debit card withdrawals).