Trip to America Advice

meemawuk

I am going to the States soon and currently have an RBS yourpoints credit card with a £5950 limit on it. I use it for almost everything repay the full balance every month and assume at present I have a good credit score.

I am looking at getting a new credit card for my holiday, and looking for something with a 0% on purchases introductory offer to allow me to repay the balance over a few months, and no charges when used abroad.

It looks like my 2 best options would be the halifax clarity or the post office (as it would also allow me to purchase travel cash in advance at no charge).

My question is, would it be beneficial for me to reduce my credit limit with RBS as other providers might see this as "open credit" and exposure to risk?

Or would they see this as a negative because I am using a higher percentage of my currently available credit?

Also, how long does the application process usually take from day of application to time you get the card?

MallyGirl

depends on how soon you are going - it can take a month or 2 to get the CRAs to show your reduced credit limit. Then you would need to allow another couple of weeks for the new application. Do you have that long?

onerickylambert

I'd go with Halifax, my Post Office card that I was approved for never arrived - kinda ironic really.

No need to reduce your RBS card limit

meemawuk

I don't have that long. I go in 2 weeks. Pre-approval says that I should be good to get the halifax.

Clarity is the way to go I think as I can use it to withdraw cash whilst there with no charge, and use digital banking to transfer money from my current account to repay the amount immediately so that I don't accrue any interest. Plus I have a £2k arranged overdraft with no charges on my current account which should be enough to cover anything I spend whilst I'm there.

The down side is that it doesn't seem to have any introductory 0% interest on purchases offer. Suppose I'll just have to use the overdraft for a month or so until I can get back in the green.

Have I left myself enough time with 2 weeks?

eskbanker

meemawuk wrote: »

The down side is that it doesn't seem to have any introductory 0% interest on purchases offer. Suppose I'll just have to use the overdraft for a month or so until I can get back in the green.

Depending on fees and interest charges, you might find it's more cost-effective to pay interest on the card balance rather than using your overdraft to pay the card off?

broadmarsh

meemawuk wrote: »

Have I left myself enough time with 2 weeks?

In my view no!

It can take longer to get it sorted out completely if they drag their heels. I had to produce bank statements and other documents (forgotten what they were now) that slowed things up. Eventually I went to a branch to speed things up and it did.

Perhaps going to a local branch at the outset and explaining what you are intending to do might get you a result. This was over 2 years ago and things might be more streamlined now.

guesswho2000

meemawuk wrote: »

I don't have that long. I go in 2 weeks. Pre-approval says that I should be good to get the halifax.

Clarity is the way to go I think as I can use it to withdraw cash whilst there with no charge, and use digital banking to transfer money from my current account to repay the amount immediately so that I don't accrue any interest. Plus I have a £2k arranged overdraft with no charges on my current account which should be enough to cover anything I spend whilst I'm there.

The down side is that it doesn't seem to have any introductory 0% interest on purchases offer. Suppose I'll just have to use the overdraft for a month or so until I can get back in the green.

Have I left myself enough time with 2 weeks?

From my experience, no. Halifax Clarity was the longest time (nearly four weeks) from instant approval to card in hand that I've ever experienced with any credit card.

That was in 2012, so they may have improved, but in still think 2 weeks is pushing it. You may get lucky though

reclusive46

Try applying for the Lloyds Avios Amex/MC account. It has a £24 annual fee but is free for transactions (not cash withdrawals )but you can get that back via quidco and Lloyds are very quick at sending out cards. You should have PIN and card within 7 or 8 days.

The post office is always an option.

pacontracting

meemawuk wrote: »

Have I left myself enough time with 2 weeks?

They are going to eat you alive over there!

Based on these questions - your priorities are all wrong. Do you have an ESTA? Do you have cash. US is very tip oriented. Without cash for tipping virtually everyone, you are going to get a bad reception.

Do you have proper medical insurance that covers US. Are you hiring a car. Do you have change for the toll booths. The bell boy at the hotel?

Typically - the first time you go to the US - the last thing you need to worry about is the commission on your credit card. You take the hit like everyone else. If you have been before, then you'll know the score and won't bother asking here.

As well as cash, take two different credit cards. There is no chip and PIN in the US so you will usually have to sign. Some Credit Card Companies don't like doing this and will decline your transaction - hence the need to take two from different banking groups. Also notify your Credit Card companies you are going to the US.

Just my 2 cents!

giblet10

meemawuk wrote: »

Have I left myself enough time with 2 weeks?

The Halifax are very slow at producing cards. Lloyds are far quicker - even though they are part of the same behemoth they have massively different card delivery times.

broadmarsh

Post #9. Wow!!!!

I thought the original poster asked for advice about getting another credit card for their imminent visit to the USA and whether 2 weeks was enough time for a Halifax Clarity credit card to be processed and sent to him?