Credit card for abroad

NiftyDigits

ampersand wrote: »

Hello nifty -

I wouldn't use anything but my N&P card, but in case OP doesn't ask, I'm wondering if cash w/d overseas via COCE would incur any charges?

Cash is what I need on brocante/antique buying trips, hence my choice, aside from antipathy to CC's.
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Heng Leng, re:post 5, I made no assumption re: 'ease' or otherwise. I just don't believe in credit cards[colonial upbringing] under any circs, but gladly welcome free access to my own money worldwide. Yes, it required 2 lots of checks, but I am unaware of any N&P charging. I'd be grateful if you could point me to this info. as I will close the a/c if it is so. An overseas retailer or ATM may add a charge, but that is so for the unwary on the domestic scene also, and this charge would be flagged before completion of txn. Are you saying this has changed?

Heng Leng is referring to the discontinuing the availability of the Gold Light account on the 13th of January for new customers. Replacing it with the Gold Start account.

The point of a Credit Card is often not about spending money that you do not have, but more about shielding your funds from fraud and to offer certain extra protections.

I put most of my spending on a CC and very rarely use cash or a debit card.
I pay the full statement balance every month.

The safety aspect is that if there is fraud involving my CC account, it cannot affect my 'real' funds.
I've had people try to buy motor vehicles using my card details.
I wouldn't be impressed if that money left my bank account and I had to argue to get it replaced.
With a CC, the amount on the bill is frozen whilst investigations take place.
So no effect on my 'real' funds.

In addition you get Section 75 protection on purchases and sometimes other benefits, such as extended warranties on purchases.

I never use my debit card for purchases, online or otherwise, other than at ALDI.

My upbring was much the same. A high standard of education. No need to put yourself at a disadvantage by using outmoded thinking.
It's not about borrowing money or spending what you don't have. You are simply placing a safety buffer in front of what you do have.

grumbler

NiftyDigits wrote: »

I never use my debit card for purchases, online or otherwise, other than at ALDI.

How do do you pay for your holidays and other travels then?
For decades I have been using my debits cards without hesitation when it was cheaper or where CCs were not accepted, and have never had any problems.

moneymiser113

'I pay the full statement balance every month'

sorry, newbie here. How does one set up a Direct debit to pay off CC each month when they don't know exactly how much will be spent on said CC.?

NiftyDigits

grumbler wrote: »

How do do you pay for your holidays and other travels then?
For decades I have been using my debits cards without hesitation when it was cheaper and have never had any problems.

Credit card

Debit card is used only for ATM withdrawals.

NiftyDigits

moneymiser113 wrote: »

'I pay the full statement balance every month'

sorry, newbie here. How does one set up a Direct debit to pay off CC each month when they don't know exactly how much will be spent on said CC.?

A DD takes exactly your full statement balance or your minimum payment, whichever you choose.
I choose full payment.

grumbler

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Credit card ...

+1.5%-3%?:think:

NiftyDigits

grumbler wrote: »

+1.5%-3%?:think:

I book direct(with airlines, for example). No surcharges.

grumbler

Well, IIRC many airlines, including BA, do charge extra for CCs.
And many people like buying package holidays.

moneymiser113

NiftyDigits wrote: »

A DD takes exactly your full statement balance or your minimum payment, whichever you choose.
I choose full payment.

thanks for the answer niftydigits. does it have to be paid on the 30th/31st of each month? do you get charged interest if you were to pay on the 1st of the following month?

sorry if these questions sound stupid.

grumbler

moneymiser113 wrote: »

thanks for the answer niftydigits. does it have to be paid on the 30th/31st of each month?

No, generally it's not 30/31. The statement date is fixed, but it's not necessarily the last day of the month. The statement shows the exact date of the DD and the amount. Typically it's 20-25 days after the statement date.

do you get charged interest if you were to pay on the 1st of the following month?

The interest on purchases (only) gets waived if you pay the balance in full before the due date. With a DD for full payment and without cash transactions you don't pay any interest (unless the DD fails and it is your fault.)