Simple question regarding Halifax Clarity card, never had a credit card previously

superman909

Hello, I am a 22 yr old student applying for a Halifax Clarity Credit Card to use abroad (upcoming trip to USA)..... Am I right in thinking this is fine to use anywhere including the UK (with 12.9% APR on spending anywhere if I don't pay within the month).... So let's say there's a situation where I turn up at London Heathrow and they say they can't find my reservation for a flight and I would need to buy another ticket (I've heard a few "horror stories" like this).... Can I then use the Halifax Clarity card like any other credit card and when I return to UK from the US I can then make a claim or dispute this with Halifax if the circumstances are appropriate, and they provide the same level of protection as say your standard "non travel" credit card.

It sounds daft, so forgive me if you think I should know better, but I have never used a credit card - I suppose this is a good thing in many people's books.

lisyloo

You can certainly use it like any other visa/mastercard credit card.

I am puzzled though over what kind of protection you think credit cards provide if you voluntarily purchase a second air ticket.

If you've booked online then do you not take a printout to the airport?
That might be sensible.
I take printouts of everything I've booked and insurance in my HAND luggage.
No point having insurance docs in your hold luggage if your bag gets nicked.

I suppose this is a good thing in many people's books.

Well it's certainly beneficially to understand the main benefits and main pitfalls of any financial product.

grumbler

superman909 wrote: »

...if I don't pay within the month

What month? It's normally ~20 days after the statement is produced.

.... So let's say there's a situation where I turn up at London Heathrow and they say they can't find my reservation for a flight and I would need to buy another ticket (I've heard a few "horror stories" like this).... Can I then use the Halifax Clarity card like any other credit card and when I return to UK from the US I can then make a claim or dispute this with Halifax if the circumstances are appropriate, and they provide the same level of protection as say your standard "non travel" credit card.

Yes - if you used the card to make at least partial payment for the first ticket. However, it's very unlikely that you can't sort this out with the airline and need to claim from the CC company.

lisyloo

they say they can't find my reservation for a flight

Didn't get an answer to my question, but you'd be covered under section 75 if the total cost was over £100 if it was their error.
If you'd booked the wrong flight then no you wouldn't have any cover.
So depends on the underlying reason why they couldn't find your booking.

BUT the cc company are jointly liable if the cost if > £100.

My advice is take print outs of confirmation emails with ref numbrs and details or as a minimum have it on email on your phone (paper is better IMO).

MrSilk

Also, of you've not had a credit card before, it's very unlikely you'll be accepted for the Clarity, and if you do happen to be accepted, I'm 90% sure it won't be at the advertised rate

System

Stories as in a soap opera or bad film?

The only time the card issuer will really get involved is if the airline goes bust and you need to make alternative arrangements or get a refund. If you made a mistake in the booking, then they will not reimburse you.

12.9% is the typical rate, so only 51% of people need to be offered this rate and you might not be offered this rate or possibly declined.

superman909 wrote: »

So let's say there's a situation where I turn up at London Heathrow and they say they can't find my reservation for a flight and I would need to buy another ticket (I've heard a few "horror stories" like this)....

Voltron

superman909 wrote: »

Hello, I am a 22 yr old student applying for a Halifax Clarity Credit Card to use abroad (upcoming trip to USA)

Before you do anything - as MrSilk above stated: there's a good chance you won't be accepted for this card unless you've got the right kind of history. Don't apply yet!

https://creditcards.moneysavingexpert.com/?travel

Follow this link and fill out the details, and it'll give you a breakdown of your percentages for the cards in that section (the Clarity is one of them) and whether it's worth applying. If you apply with the lender, you'll get a written check on your credit history which you don't really want unless you get accepted. The check on here won't do this.

I didn't realise this, and got denied for a Clarity. I then found out I had a 0% chance of actually getting it and I wasted a search that could've easily been avoided.

I'm in a similar position to yourself, except I'm older and I've got a default on my history despite 2 full loan repayments and other elements of credit that are positive. In the end I went for the Aqua card (shown on that page too) which I was accepted for. There's not wonderful feedback from dealing with this company, but at least I have a line of funds that's obtainable outside of the country for no real cost to myself. I already spent $150 on concert tickets with it and got a slightly better rate than XE.com was suggesting!

Here's the MSE guide on Travel Cards if you haven't seen it yet - http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money