Going abroad - Halifax Clarity or Post Office Credit Card?

The_Boss

zagfles wrote: »

You will always pay interest on cash. The trick is to pay it off as soon as you get back to minimise interest, don't wait for the statement.

The simple way is to check your balance online as soon as you get back and pay the lot off.

The complicated way is to work out the value of your cash advances and just pay them plus the full previous statement balance off, then you'll still get the interest free period on purchases.

Some people pay cash advances off while abroad but personally I've got better things to do on holiday. For a 2 week holiday the interest will be trivial, and far less in charges than traditional ways of getting foreign cash. £300 for 2 weeks will cost about £1.50 in interest if you've got the 12.9% APR. Or less if you eg draw half of it at the start and half after a week there.

Getting £300 on the UK high street will probably cost about £15 even from places that claim to be "commission free" (the commission is hidden in the rip-off rate).

Thanks. Apparently you get a roughly 10% better exchange rate in Egypt too, so another benefit to be had.

King_Of_Fools

McCreary wrote: »

Thanks everyone - I already have a Post Office Credit Card but bank with Halifax but so that's why I was thinking of changing to the Clarity. I never withdraw cash using a credit card.

So best to stick with the Post Office Credit Card?

If you already bank with the Halifax you might be better off with the Clarity Reward card that pays you £5 a month if you spend at least £300.