Halifax Clarity Credit Card for GBP - USD

snowcat75

Schmutz wrote: »

I don't think we're renting a car. We've got the public transport/taxi's/internal flights down - very heavily researched into that. Bearing in mind that the hotel fees will be the big payments, with a maximum single fee of around $1600 - does it look any better?

If your carful you should be fine, although it would be easy to go over limit, which would kick any savings made into touch and give your credit file a beating.

I only mention a car because public transport in the us outside of city's is pretty crap, and you may find it a need, so might be worth looking at a second card just in case.

ferf1223

Double check if the hotels will put a hold on the card for incidentals over and above the actual hotel rate. I have heard that it can take several days for the hold to clear during which time that part of your credit limit will not be accessible.

King_Of_Fools

Schmutz wrote: »

Here is another scenario then.

Pay up the SF hotel using the Card (it's less than £600 for the four days I'm there) - pay it off on day 1.

Limit is £600 again, pay up the SC hotel with the card (less than £600 for the three days I'm there) - pay it off asap. Withdraw £600 from ATM, pay it off, withdraw another £600, pay it off.

You may have a couple of problems:
1) The cash withdrawal limit is 50% of the credit limit so you would only be able to withdraw up to £300 at any time.
2) The charge for the hotel would probably take at least a couple of days to appear on your online statement although your credit limit will be reduce instantly. If you pay off the hotel bill on the same day as you make the transaction you may find yourself breaking the terms and preloading the card, which could cause it to be blocked.

Schmutz_2

snowcat75 wrote: »

If your carful you should be fine, although it would be easy to go over limit, which would kick any savings made into touch and give your credit file a beating.

Ok, the thought of misjudging something out there and going over the limit (supposing it is low and around ~£600) is making me reconsider using the Clarity Card, for this particular trip.

snowcat75 wrote: »

I only mention a car because public transport in the us outside of city's is pretty crap, and you may find it a need, so might be worth looking at a second card just in case.

We will be sticking within city so should be ok imo. SF/SC have the caltrain/BART services which seem good enough for what we need. SFO > LAS is an internal flight. Las Vegas definitely has robust transport up and down the strip. LAS > LOS is another internal flight - Los Angeles has a metro system our hotel has a shuttle to a nearby station.

Schmutz_2

ferf1223 wrote: »

Double check if the hotels will put a hold on the card for incidentals over and above the actual hotel rate. I have heard that it can take several days for the hold to clear during which time that part of your credit limit will not be accessible.

Yeah, this adds to a growing list of reasons to consider alternative options. Is it mandatory that you provide a card for incidentals? I have travelled around quite a lot the past few years and haven't had a hotel request a card for this before- maybe different in America?

Schmutz_2

King_Of_Fools wrote: »

You may have a couple of problems:
1) The cash withdrawal limit is 50% of the credit limit so you would only be able to withdraw up to £300 at any time.
2) The charge for the hotel would probably take at least a couple of days to appear on your online statement although your credit limit will be reduce instantly. If you pay off the hotel bill on the same day as you make the transaction you may find yourself breaking the terms and preloading the card, which could cause it to be blocked.

1 - £300 a day, along with 21.9% APR for cash withdrawals. If I was withdrawing £300 10 times from an ATM - How much of a saving would i.e. 1.52 with Halifax Clarity offer compared to another exchange with i.e. 1.50? Seems more hassle than it's worth then.

2 - Yeah - obvious dangers there.

Schmutz_2

Looking into alternative options. I've found the moneycorp explorer card -

https://www.moneycorpcard.com/

Thinking about using £3500 of $ on this, and then getting £1000 worth of $ delivered. Then, we'd use the clarity card for odd purchases/food bills when out there.

Pros;

Superior rate compared to post office/debenhams
Not needing to carry around in person £5-6K worth of $ from day one.

Cons;

unsure about hidden fees. Look at their site it seems like I get around 1.50 rate for $USD, with £3500. Anyone have experience with this card to share, or can anyone suggest alternative options (preferable that aren't getting it all in cash)

YorkshireBoy

Schmutz wrote: »

...can anyone suggest alternative options (preferable that aren't getting it all in cash)

Didn't I suggest something in post #13?

Have you taken a look at that thread yet?

Or read this article on the main site?...

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money

Candyapple

Have you tried applying for the Creation card? You should get a decent limit to save faffing about with the low limit Clarity card.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5103888

Schmutz_2

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

Didn't I suggest something in post #13?

Have you taken a look at that thread yet?

Or read this article on the main site?...

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money

oh.

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

Maybe you could look at the pre-paid cards available...check out the long thread on the overseas holidays board.

*digging sounds*



:rotfl:. I've just had a good read through this thread and now feel better informed, thank you.

Being a newbie comes hand in hand with an aura of ignorance and laziness I guess, but I didn't mean to come across that way sorry.

I was speculating. Fishing for some random nugget of information - a la "if you go to the airport when you're over there you'll find they will offer you 1.70USD to the £" the kind of knowledge that I wouldn't have found without a push in the right direction. I lack perspective and therefore I have a tendency to ask things that can be found in stickys and the search. Observe the below, says it all;