Travel credit cards

pollypenny

lisyloo wrote: »

Were those posted (not purchased) on the same day?
Have you asked saga/nationwide why their rate was so bad?

Yesterday. Bought, then checked. I am just glad that I resisted the temptation of the Ralph Lauren handbag!


I cannot access the Saga account, as I’ve forgotten log on. I will try Nationwide, but again, I forgot my card reader so will have to use memorable info.

Martin does state that Saga is a brilliant card.

eDicky

pollypenny wrote: »

Later I checked on my TMM app and those were the figures that came up.

TMM? Do you mean travelmoneymax? That is for UK bureaux exchange rates....

lisyloo

Yesterday. Bought, then checked.

Halifax takes several days to come through.
The "pending" amount is not always the same as what is finally charged so you cannot know what Halifax are charging you yet.

I cannot access the Saga account, as I!!!8217;ve forgotten log on. I will try Nationwide, but again, I forgot my card reader so will have to use memorable info.

I don't know what TMM is but are you sure their information is correct? especially in the light of my comment above i.e. you won't know halifax rate for several days.

pollypenny

eDicky wrote: »

TMM? Do you mean travelmoneymax? That is for UK bureaux exchange rates....

No. Martin created an app with two settings:
a)Travel money

b). Spend abroad

You can enter your method of payment, name of card etc and save it.
Then you can input purchase cost in the relevant currency and the app gives the cost in GBP.

pollypenny

lisyloo wrote: »

Halifax takes several days to come through.
The "pending" amount is not always the same as what is finally charged so you cannot know what Halifax are charging you yet.



I don't know what TMM is but are you sure their information is correct? especially in the light of my comment above i.e. you won't know halifax rate for several days.

I don’t have Halifax, that was my point. Saga and Nationwide rates are usually just a day behind and, unless something drastic has happened to the pound, are usually close.

I travel to the USA twice a year, as well as on a 'normal' holiday, do quite used to exchange rates. Never had this with Nationwide or Saga before.

lisyloo

Nationwide and Saga use the visa rate (plus and commission but this would be around 2%).
Halifax use the mastercard rate.

Sounds like a glitch in the app to me as I don't think they should be that far apart.

eDicky

pollypenny wrote: »

No. Martin created an app with two settings:
a)Travel money

b). Spend abroad

You can enter your method of payment, name of card etc and save it.
Then you can input purchase cost in the relevant currency and the app gives the cost in GBP.

I don't see any such app available on Google Play so perhaps it's defunct, rates no longer updated and you are looking at a figure from last year.

The daily Visa rate that your cards gives, currently 1.38334, is available here:

https://www.visaeurope.com/making-payments/exchange-rates

I think the Saga card puts no markup on the rate for purchses, also Nationwide if it's the FlexPlus. I see that Visa have an app, promoted on that page, you could install it in place of TMM.

lisyloo

might depend on which card you have, but 4 out of 5 scenarios on nationwides own website have 2%

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/support/travel/fees-charges

I'm sure your right about flexplus just saying people need to be careful if it only applies to 1 card in the range.

eDicky

lisyloo wrote: »

might depend on which card you have, but 4 out of 5 scenarios on nationwides own website have 2%

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/support/travel/fees-charges

I'm sure your right about flexplus just saying people need to be careful if it only applies to 1 card in the range.

Don't be so sure I'm right, I'm often too lazy to check and now I see that I was mistaken - it's the Nationwide Select credit card that has 0% exchange load for purchases (FlexPlus credit card doesn't exist!).

MSE has a handy card fee checker - https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards#checker

pollypenny

As I said on post 266, I am a regular traveller,,as well as a follower of MSE advice. Of course, I have cards which are commission-free for travelling.

I have checked Nationwide!!!8217;s web site and indeed it should be the full Visa rate. It must be a glitch in the app indeed. It is up to date, though.

I have downloaded the Visa app too. I reread Martin!!!8217;s advice on cards, in case I was losing my marbles.