Best card abroad

poormaria

Sorry I do not understand the advice on the main site after reading it several times.

I basically want a card that I can use to spend abroad, and that I won't have to pay off immediately to avoid charges. Is there such a card?

thanks

bigadaj

Not sure of your exact requirements.

Maybe the current account options with n and p or metro bank might work, low cost debit cards.

Alternatively I use a Halifax clarity, no cost for purchases and I do take cash out generally pay back within two weeks so a total cost of 0.5% with near interbank rate.

If you specify what you're after in more detail we may be able to help more.

Bellx15

On the subject of the Clarity card, there is a cautionary note to the effect that some ATM operators may charge a fee for cash withdrawals. Does anyone know how likely that would be in EU countries, please. I am going to Portugal soon and am trying to determine the best way to get my Euros.

Steven_Elliott

I know outside EU its about a £4 to withdrawal and then fees by the bank but i use metro so i just get the mastercard exchange and only pay the £4 fee at the atm

Bellx15

Steven_Elliott wrote: »

I know outside EU its about a £4 to withdrawal and then fees by the bank but i use metro so i just get the mastercard exchange and only pay the £4 fee at the atm

OK, thanks, but in the EU?

YorkshireBoy

Bellx15 wrote: »

OK, thanks, but in the EU?

It's just like the UK...if the operator makes a charge you'll be notified on the screen/machine.

So only withdraw from bank branch ATMs and avoid (or scrutinise closely) ATMs at airports, small supermarkets, and rural petrol stations...just as you would in the UK.

ColdIron

Metro Bank debit card for ATM cash withdrawal and Nationwide Select credit card for purchases works for me

Bellx15

OK, so bank branches don't usually apply a charge? I'll have to work out the Portuguese for that!

lisyloo

OK, thanks, but in the EU?
OK, so bank branches don't usually apply a charge? I'll have to work out the Portuguese for that!

Pretty sure I've never had to pay a charge in the EU and that includes airports.
Almost all cash machines have a button for English.
They will have to tell you whether there is a fee so you can always decide to go elsewhere.

IMPORTANT: Get them to charge your bank in local currency e.g. EURO. This means your bank/credit card do the conversion. If your on 0% commission this will be at Forex rates.
If you let the foreign bank charge you GBP then they will invisibly use an exchange rate that includes (in my experience) a commission of about 4%.
This won't be visible, becuase it'll just say 200EUR or £178 GBP, so unless you have a calculator and access to the forex rates, you won't know what they are charging, but I you can be pretty sure that no foreign bank or foreign shop will do this exchange for free - it's a service they charge for implicitly in the exchange rate. Check also in shops and restaurants on the small card machines and paper you sign. INSIST ON PAYING IN EURO ALWAYS.

Bellx15

Great info - many thanks!

Coraline

Don't use a credit card to take out cash! You'll most definitely get socked with close to 20-30% APR the minute you withdraw the funds.

As ColdIron mentioned, MetroBank is best for debit abroad, they charge no fees.

Halifax as several have mentioned is the best for making purchases abroad.

I use the former to withdraw as much cash in one go when I'm abroad, and the latter to pay off the deposit in hotels when I arrive. Usually wind up paying no more than 2 quid in fees, if any at all.