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Best credit card for taking overseas

Hello,

I don't currently have a credit card and am wondering whether to get one as an emergency back up when I go to Bulgaria in July

If so are there any 0% spending cards that can be used overseas with no fees?

I have had a look through Martins cards section but I can't seem to see a best card for using overseas - thanks x
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Comments

  • pingufan wrote: »
    Hello,

    I don't currently have a credit card and am wondering whether to get one as an emergency back up when I go to Bulgaria in July

    If so are there any 0% spending cards that can be used overseas with no fees?

    I have had a look through Martins cards section but I can't seem to see a best card for using overseas - thanks x
    The best credit cards to use abroad
    Are you for real? - Glass Half Empty??
    :coffee:
  • pingufan
    pingufan Posts: 123 Forumite
    Ah fab - it was under travel & transport no wonder I coulnt find it - I was looking under credit cards - cheers x
  • grumbler
    grumbler Posts: 58,629 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    pingufan wrote: »
    I have had a look through Martins cards section but I can't seem to see a best card for using overseas - thanks x
    Really?
    MSE wrote:
    Top cards for spending overseas

    However, it's not 0% if you meant introductory 0% interest rate. And I don't know any with 0% and no fees abroad, but some cards with no fees offer a small cashback (Aqua Reward, Capital One).

    That said, if you "don't currently have a credit card" you can struggle to get any "best card" unless this 'currently' started not long time ago and/or you have a solid credit history.
  • Cyberman60
    Cyberman60 Posts: 2,472 Forumite
    Hung up my suit!
    Please bear in mind that the Halifax Clarity card is not VISA but Mastercard and I know for a fact that not all countries accept Mastercard.... eg: The Gambia, which only accepts VISA at ATMs. Also there are restrictions on the daily amounts that can be withdrawn on Mastercard which do not apply to VISA eg: $150 on Mastercard in Cambodia whereas VISA is $1000. For this reason I only carry VISA cards.
  • reclusive46
    reclusive46 Posts: 2,698 Forumite
    Cyberman60 wrote: »
    Please bear in mind that the Halifax Clarity card is not VISA but Mastercard and I know for a fact that not all countries accept Mastercard.... eg: The Gambia, which only accepts VISA at ATMs. Also there are restrictions on the daily amounts that can be withdrawn on Mastercard which do not apply to VISA eg: $150 on Mastercard in Cambodia whereas VISA is $1000. For this reason I only carry VISA cards.

    MasterCard (and Amex in a couple of African countries) recently massively expanded their African presence. One of your examples of the Gambia is no longer true.

    In South America the opposite is true anyway, there are many occasions where MasterCard (and sometimes Amex) are accepted but Visa is not. This is because MasterCard bought out and allied itself with many of the regional networks.
  • Cyberman60
    Cyberman60 Posts: 2,472 Forumite
    Hung up my suit!
    Mastercard are indeed apparently being slowly introduced in the Gambia according to Tripadvisor posters, but nobody appears to know where yet, so the advice is use VISA to ensure money is available at ATMs. If you try to use Mastercard be prepared for disappointment.
  • It seems to be very difficult to get a Halifax Card .Although I have an A1 credit rating I have been declined by all of the recommended companies for low cost travel cards . Why is this ?
  • woazurian wrote: »
    It seems to be very difficult to get a Halifax Card .Although I have an A1 credit rating I have been declined by all of the recommended companies for low cost travel cards . Why is this ?
  • grumbler
    grumbler Posts: 58,629 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Check your credit files.
    "A1" is meaningless.
  • bigadaj
    bigadaj Posts: 11,531 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    grumbler wrote: »
    Check your credit files.
    "A1" is meaningless.

    Well it could be 999.......which is also meaningless.
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