Halifax 'Clarity' exchange rates

hillcats

I also have the clarity credit card and it is by far the best rate for when in any other country...

Mikhail

1. Halifax shows the exchange rate, unfortunately only on your statement.

2. If you have purchased something abroad and still cannot see the exchange rate, it is most likely that the seller converted the transaction to GBP at the point of sale, in this case you could only find the exchange rate on your receipt.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4809789

HeyerFan

I got the Clarity card specifically for holidays abroad on MSE's recommendation but not sure that I am getting the best exchange rate. Does the Clarity credit card statement actually say "Clarity" on either the card or statement? I applied for a Clarity card but when I look at online banking it shows as a Standard Mastercard and a US $ transaction I did online on 4 Nov has come through with an exchange rate of 1.5094 and the mastercard currency conversion (#6) shows that I should have got a rate of 1.5975. Do you think I have the wrong card? I've already used it on a couple of holidays!

dzug1

HeyerFan wrote: »

I got the Clarity card specifically for holidays abroad on MSE's recommendation but not sure that I am getting the best exchange rate. Does the Clarity credit card statement actually say "Clarity" on either the card or statement? I applied for a Clarity card but when I look at online banking it shows as a Standard Mastercard and a US $ transaction I did online on 4 Nov has come through with an exchange rate of 1.5094 and the mastercard currency conversion (#6) shows that I should have got a rate of 1.5975. Do you think I have the wrong card? I've already used it on a couple of holidays!

Sounds like the wrong card.

The other explanation is that the merchant did DCC on you - from your description that doesn't sound like it.

reclusive46

HeyerFan wrote: »

I got the Clarity card specifically for holidays abroad on MSE's recommendation but not sure that I am getting the best exchange rate. Does the Clarity credit card statement actually say "Clarity" on either the card or statement? I applied for a Clarity card but when I look at online banking it shows as a Standard Mastercard and a US $ transaction I did online on 4 Nov has come through with an exchange rate of 1.5094 and the mastercard currency conversion (#6) shows that I should have got a rate of 1.5975. Do you think I have the wrong card? I've already used it on a couple of holidays!

Have a look on the statement, it normally says something like "Did you know that on the Clarity, you won't get charged any foreign transaction fees?"

HeyerFan

reclusive46 wrote: »

Have a look on the statement, it normally says something like "Did you know that on the Clarity, you won't get charged any foreign transaction fees?"

Latest 2 statements didn't have anything but when I went back to an earlier one it did say "Your Clarity credit card comes with all sorts of useful features ....". Don't know why the exchange rate seems so "off" I was paying for an ESTA in dollars on a US website. Thanks for the advice though at least I know I do have a Clarity card!

djbenny1

hi guys - quick question

I'm going to croatia in just over a week.

usually when i go abroad i try to get prepaid currency cards but there doesn't seem to be such a thing for Kuna and I don't want to pay the 2.5% flat rate on Travelex global passport.

i've been looking at this clarity card - from what I've seen in this thread the exchange rate is good - that's not a concern.

I plan to get the card, use it for 10 days, come home, pay it off and then NOT use it at all until i go abroad again.

If i do this, will I incur any charges etc. just for keeping the card? I've not had a credit card before so the idea is very new to me and at such short notice quite daunting.

any advice greatly appreciated.

just to be clear - here's an example:

I spend £500 on holidays, the mastercard rate is 2.0 = 1000 Kuna

Assuming I pay only in kuna and there are no locally charged ATM fees, is it simply a matter of me coming home after my holiday, paying the credit card company £500 and that's it? The card "goes to sleep" until I use it again?

The alternative is I go to the money shop and get say 995 Kuna for my £500 in cash and spend away OR take my debit card, spend £500 (which could be say 995 Kuna) and be liable for £25 or so in fees.

dzug1

If you use an ATM it's a cash advance - no fee with Clarity, but interest is payable until it's paid off. No interest or charges for purchases.


I doubt if you would get the sort of rate you are quoting in the money shop. 970 perhaps - maybe a little more. And well it does depend on what debit card you have but most would charge rather less than that

djbenny1

dzug1 wrote: »

If you use an ATM it's a cash advance - no fee with Clarity, but interest is payable until it's paid off. No interest or charges for purchases.


I doubt if you would get the sort of rate you are quoting in the money shop. 970 perhaps - maybe a little more. And well it does depend on what debit card you have but most would charge rather less than that

Thanks Dzug.

How is interest calculated then?

Let's use a worst case scenario and assume I withdraw £500 on the first day of my holiday, 3rd July, and pay it back 2 weeks after I return, say 27th (pointless example I know but I believe it's worst case?).

How much interest would I expect to pay assuming the entire £500 spending money is withdrawn from ATMs.

eskbanker

djbenny1 wrote: »

I'm going to croatia in just over a week.

<snip>

I've not had a credit card before

Depending on your credit status you may or may not be eligible for a Halifax Clarity as your first one, although no harm in trying, start with the MSE eligibility checker at https://creditcards.moneysavingexpert.com/?travel

Also, getting it all up and running in just over a week may be ambitious!