Halifax Clarity credit card v FairFX cash card

NiftyDigits

mcfisco wrote: »

I wasn't giving advice, it was our experiences of using a FairFX card
It had already been mentioned that the rate was locked in with a pre-paid card and the rate we bought at is irrelevant.

One other thing I like about using a pre-paid over a credit card is that you don't have to to be concious of payment dates to avoid interest.
I'm constantly missing paying on the card I use for business and end up picking up extra fees and interest.
I'm happy to keep using the pre-paid for leisure time, you may be able to scrape the odd few cents here and there by having the right card and making sure you go online to pay on time etc. but I can't be bothered on holiday just to save a few coppers.

It may have been mentioned, but the OP got it wrong when it came to ATM withdrawal charges.....and the rate that you bought at is most relevant.

Again, using my illustration and your scenario, a Euro card user topping up and spending today would be 3.1% down.

Since the Clarity charges around 1% per month, you are clearly better off, even if you take a month to get around to paying off your spends. No need to "be conscious of payment dates". I have all credit cards on full payment via Direct Debit anyway.

I certainly don't have to worry about paying my fee free debit cards off.

On a spend of £1000, that's a saving of £20. Perhaps a few coppers to you....but this is a website dedicated to saving money.

mcfisco

I still wasn't giving advice but as you won't be wrong ill leave you to it

NiftyDigits

mcfisco wrote: »

I still wasn't giving advice but as you won't be wrong ill leave you to it

So what was the point of your post?? Perhaps I have missed it.

We use a FarFX € card and generally take out €200 every other day so the charges amount to 0.75% for ATM withdrawals for us, I've not come across an ATM that charges extra but I only tend to use bank ones anyway.

Given the decent exchange rate, I don't find that too bad a deal

An 'opinion' that costs 3.1%? That isn't among the best.

jicms

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Take a Mastercard option as a fallback.

Oh yes I always take at least four cards, a Visa and Mastercard debit/cash card and a Visa and Mastercard credit card. I've been caught out before when my cash card didn't work then my Nationwide credit card was blocked.

visidigi

The other benefit, aside from locking in the rate is locking in the money - I know plenty on budgets who like the fact they can save to the FairFX car over time in preparation for your holiday - it actually tuns out its useful for budgetting for some too

I have two FairFx cards and I'm just waiting for my Clarity card to drop on the mat

NiftyDigits

visidigi wrote: »

The other benefit, aside from locking in the rate is locking in the money - I know plenty on budgets who like the fact they can save to the FairFX car over time in preparation for your holiday - it actually tuns out its useful for budgetting for some too

I have two FairFx cards and I'm just waiting for my Clarity card to drop on the mat

Nothing against Prepaid cards, but unless you are taking advantage of a big drop in the value of a foreign currency, I would use a Sterling card; such as Kalixa Pay or ICE Prepaid GBP if I had to use a Prepaid card.

I still have a FairFx Anywhere card with over £100 on it from the days when I used it for Ryanair flights. Haven't got around to using it as I get better value from my mainstream cards.

apt

You better get around to using it as the card has an expiry date and a new one would presumably cost money.

jicms

Another cost to factor in. There's always free offers around for the cards but don't know if it only applies to new customers.

NiftyDigits

apt wrote: »

You better get around to using it as the card has an expiry date and a new one would presumably cost money.

Costs £5.95 unless I top it up with another £150.