Credit card for use holidays abroad and in the UK

HelenWN

Hi

I've not used this forum before, but I was hoping someone could help me? We're going on holiday to Spain in June, and away on a trip in July, but this time staying in the UK.

We wanted to look into the possibility of getting a credit card for our holiday spending, with the intention of paying the balance off in full in 12 months.

So, we're after a card that isn't too expensive if used abroad, but also offers us a good rate on purchases for our holiday in the UK. Does anyone have any suggestions? (I've checked out the article on this website about top cards to use abroad, however I wasn't quite sure if we might be stung when using the card in the UK?).

Thanks for the help!

thebritishbloke

The two cards that most people go for are either the Halifax Clairty card, this provides 0% foreign transaction fees and a standard rate of 12.9%. The other card is the Post Office credit card, this has 0% foreign transaction fees, standard rate or 17.8% but this comes with 0% on purchases for 3 months.

You're not going to find a card that offers you 12 months 0% on purchases and no foreign transaction fee. Most cards aren't really that bad for spending abroad, usually it's a 2.99% transaction fee, so if you spend £1000 you only have to pay £30 in fees. You might be better off just getting a long 0% purchases card and absorbing the fee.

YorkshireBoy

thebritishbloke wrote: »

You're not going to find a card that offers you 12 months 0% on purchases and no foreign transaction fee.

The Nationwide Select card has 15 months 0% on purchases and zero foreign loading (and also 0.5% cashback on Sterling purchases).


OP, if you're over 50 then Saga may be an option...but that's only 9 months 0% on purchases.

thebritishbloke

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

The Nationwide Select card has 15 months 0% on purchases and zero foreign loading (and also 0.5% cashback on Sterling purchases).


OP, if you're over 50 then Saga may be an option...but that's only 9 months 0% on purchases.

Ooh! I knew about the 0% on purchases but no idea about 0% foreign transaction fees. Thanks.

chattychappy

Given that CCs often fail when overseas, take at least a couple. If you're getting 15months on purchases (for example), paying a loading of 3% isn't too bad and certainly better than getting stranded.

HelenWN

Thanks everyone, that's really helpful. Am checking out the Nationwide card, as we're already account holders. Just to clarify (sorry, I'm really lame with this kind of thing): when it says 0% for 15 months on purchases and commission free purchases abroad, does that mean we'll be charged 0% on our abroad spending for 15 months as well?

Thanks again for the help. :j

YorkshireBoy

HelenWN wrote: »

does that mean we'll be charged 0% on our abroad spending for 15 months as well?

All purchases, whether here or abroad, enjoy 0% interest for 15 months.

thebritishbloke

HelenWN wrote: »

Thanks everyone, that's really helpful. Am checking out the Nationwide card, as we're already account holders. Just to clarify (sorry, I'm really lame with this kind of thing): when it says 0% for 15 months on purchases and commission free purchases abroad, does that mean we'll be charged 0% on our abroad spending for 15 months as well?

Thanks again for the help. :j

The 0% on transaction fees is for the lifetime of the account too

YorkshireBoy

thebritishbloke wrote: »

The 0% on transaction fees is for the lifetime of the account too

...or until they change the T&Cs*, whichever comes first.


* The FlexAccount debit card used to have a zero foreign loading.

HelenWN

Thank yoooou one and all! Card all applied for, and we've been approved. Thanks so much for the help. :j