Cheapest card to use abroad

basketcase1002

Please can anyone help.
We are over 60 and want the cheapest option to use money in France.
The only card we have at present is a Nat West debit card.
We will be in a motorhome so don't expect the cost to be excessive. Therefore we aim to take 500 euros and expect to use a further 500 on a card. What would be the best card/option?

countingstars

The following are all free to use abroad. They don't charge a non sterling fee and provided you pay off your whole balance when the statement arrives, you shouldn't be charged interest.

Halifax Clarity
Capital One Extra Classic
Aqua Advance

The Metro Bank also issue both credit and debit cards which are free to use abroad. Also, I think Nationwide do a credit card which is free as well but to be honest, I'm not entirely too sure about that one. Might be best to just check their site.

grumbler

countingstars wrote: »

The Metro Bank also issue both credit and debit cards which are free to use abroad.

In Europe only.

m00se1986

And also the Saga credit card is an option (given you are over 50) - I believe this is on purchases with the card only so you would be charged if you use it to withdraw cash from a cash machine.

If you go to https://creditcards.moneysavingexpert.com/ there is a section down the bottom for "Travel money credit cards"

The_Boss

Is the Post Office card good for using abroad?

grumbler

Is this a question or a suggestion?
- "One of the best cards for spending overseas" according to MSE. No loading, but 2.5%/£3 for ATMs.

The_Boss

grumbler wrote: »

Is this a question or a suggestion?
- "One of the best cards for spending overseas" according to MSE. No loading, but 2.5%/£3 for ATMs.

I was setting it up for someone (I applied for one recently for the foreign use benefits and no charge for using if to buy foreign currency at the PO).

a4a

Look at the caxtonfx euro card.

agrinnall

It would seem sensible to read the MSE guide to cheap travel money, given that time has been spent writing it and keeping it updated.

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

guesswho2000

Halifax Clarity in my opinion, no forex fee or cash advance fees, so covers both.

As backups I have Nationwide Select credit for purchases and FlexPlus debit for cash, but obviously the FlexPlus carries a monthly fee and you need to be a main NW current account customer for the Select CC.

Otherwise, for purchases, Aqua reward is good with cashback and no fee (although I've binned it since the 3% cashback stopped), Lloyds Avios cards, Post Office credit card and metro bank (Europe only I believe now). I have no personal experience of any of these other than the old Aqua though.

N&P offer a fee free debit card for foreign use, and if you live up North, I think Cumberland building society offer a fees free debit card.

hillcats

Halifax Clarity Credit Card - every day !
http://www.halifax.co.uk/creditcards/low-rate-no-fee/clarity-card/