Travel credit cards

Gloomendoom

funkyronster wrote: »

Hi all

Having been unceremoniously dumped by Saga, I am now looking for a replacement travel card.

I plumped for the Barclaycard, but that proved to be useless because they need to see a regular income. I am retired and I just draw drown from my ISAs and SIPP on an irregular basis, and despite assets in six figures, that's not good enough for them, so that was that.

But I don't want to be making too many card applications ... so does anybody have any suggestions who to try next?

Cheers

They turned me down too because i already have two other Barclaycards.

You shouldn't have a problem opening an account with the Starling Bank. No credit from them though.

Shugg_McGlummfer

I'm also retired thus have the same problem re declared income. Halifax Clarity for credit abroad and Metro Bank for debit transactions in Europe.

You need to to a Metro Bank branch to open an account and they're all in London. I live in Edinburgh and did it on a visit.

EveryWhere

Shugg_McGlummfer wrote: »

I'm also retired thus have the same problem re declared income. Halifax Clarity for credit abroad and Metro Bank for debit transactions in Europe.

You need to to a Metro Bank branch to open an account and they're all in London. I live in Edinburgh and did it on a visit.

Nope they are not and you can apply online.
https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk/store-locator/
https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk/bank-accounts/products/current-account/
But https://www.starlingbank.com/travel/ is better as there are no forex fees worldwide.
Halifax Clarity is a good option for a credit card.

Shugg_McGlummfer

Thanks for that re Metro. Couldn't apply online when I opened an account and they were all in London then.

Ashie_2

Hi All, for the last few years, before going on holiday, I load cash onto my Halifax Clarity credit card so that it is actually in credit. We normally stay away for at least a month, so I start with £1000. When I think I am getting near to running out, I top it up again. This way the card is essentially a pre-paid card without the fees. In some places we travel to internet access can be patchy, so it means I don't have to worry about paying interest. Does anyone else do this?

eDicky

Ashie wrote: »

Does anyone else do this?

Some do, and get away with it; others prefer not to risk having their card blocked or account terminated by violating the Halifax T&Cs, having no S75 protection and other benefits while using the card with their own money instead of the lender's, and other drawbacks to 'preloading'.

Does it mean that you only use the card for withdrawals and never for payment?

Doshwaster

Ashie wrote: »

Hi All, for the last few years, before going on holiday, I load cash onto my Halifax Clarity credit card so that it is actually in credit. We normally stay away for at least a month, so I start with £1000. When I think I am getting near to running out, I top it up again. This way the card is essentially a pre-paid card without the fees. In some places we travel to internet access can be patchy, so it means I don't have to worry about paying interest. Does anyone else do this?

For the minimal amount that Halifax charge in interest (about 3p per £100 per day for cash), pre-loading the Clarity card isn't worth the risk. How easy would it be to access those preloaded funds if the card was lost/stolen/blocked?

If you really want to avoid interest payments then I would use something like Starling for cash withdrawals.

bognor

Hi,

I have a Halifax Clarity Card and flying out to Turkey soon. I know about always choosing to pay in local currency etc but the hotel we are staying at have their prices in Euros. Should I still opt to pay in Turkish Lira?

Thanks

zagfles

bognor wrote: »

Hi,

I have a Halifax Clarity Card and flying out to Turkey soon. I know about always choosing to pay in local currency etc but the hotel we are staying at have their prices in Euros. Should I still opt to pay in Turkish Lira?

Thanks

You'll likely find they advertise their prices in EUR and you are contracted in EUR, but they'll probably convert to TRY when you come to pay - hotels in countries with a minor currency frequently do that - particularly if their currency suffers high inflation or is volatile. Or maybe just to quote a currency people are familiar with. Happened to me loads of times.

It's a right PITA as you don't know the amount you'll be paying in the currency you'll be paying in. IME the conversion from EUR has always been done at a good rate, I don't think they do it to benefit from the conversion.

Still watch out for DCC though, they'll probably convert to TRY then offer the option of DCC in GBP! Pay in TRY! Or in EUR at the rate you're contracted for if they let you!

bognor

Hi,

Many thanks for your advice. It is much appreciated.

Regards,

Bognor