France for a month - how to spend wisely?

gandalftheking

Hi all,

I'm having a working holiday in (the South of) France in August.

(The trip is definitely classed as a business expense if that makes any difference to the advice you may offer.)

I have a First Direct personal current ac, First Direct personal credit card, HSBC Business ac debit card, and an MBNA Amex that I haven't used for a long time. I have no idea of the relative benefits of any of these re longer stays abroad.

I saw the Halifax Clarity card in a recent MSE email, which if I can get it might be an option?

We will not be driving, so expenses will be mainly food, and some public transport travel, and some cash withdrawals no doubt.

I'm looking for input on the 'smart' way to spend while there, so all advice will be appreciated.

Thankyou.

parcival

In rural southern France they are big on lunches rather than evening meals.


It is very easy to find small Auberges where you can get a 3 course lunch for about 12 euro's - often with wine thrown in...

benjus

I'd say:

• Business spending - just use the business account debit card. Yes it will cost the business a little more than if you used a Halifax Clarity then claimed the money from the business, but is that really a problem?
• Personal spending that you will claim back - again, just use whatever's most convenient. The is the one case where I WOULD recommend accepting the option to have your card charged in GBP if you are offered it, as it may make the reclaiming process simpler.
• Personal spending that you will not claim back - get a Halifax Clarity credit card (and pay off cash withdrawals as soon as they appear on the transaction list if possible) or a Metro Bank debit card.

If you really care about charging the business the lowest possible amount, put everything on the Halifax Clarity/Metro Bank card and claim it back.

gandalftheking

If you really care about charging the business the lowest possible amount, put everything on the Halifax Clarity/Metro Bank card and claim it back.

Yes, this would probably be my preference, as every penny counts!

Thanks

Voyager2002

Metro Bank is good, but don't forget that the N and P account also offers fee-free cash withdrawals and also comes with some travel insurance benefits that you might value.

gandalftheking

Voyager2002 wrote: »

Metro Bank is good, but don't forget that the N and P account also offers fee-free cash withdrawals and also comes with some travel insurance benefits that you might value.

Is the Metro deal a credit card, in the same way as the Halifax one?

benjus

gandalftheking wrote: »

Is the Metro deal a credit card, in the same way as the Halifax one?

I was referring to the Metro Bank debit card, which is free to use in Europe (but not worldwide like the Halifax Clarity). Means you can just dump your money in the account and spend it, rather than having to keep paying off the card. I believe Metro Bank also does a credit card that's free in Europe, but if you're getting a credit card you might as well go for the Clarity.

knightstyle

We go to france every year for several months. Always use the Halifax Clarity card, purchases repaid in full when due, Cash withdrawals repaid from our UK bank next day, that way we avoid charges and interest is kept to a few pence.