Halifax Clarity vs Nationwide Select in USA

central.fm

Hi All.
I've been trying to work out if I should stick with my Nationwide Select Credit Card or apply for the (MSE recommended) Halifax Clarity Master Card, for an upcoming trip to the USA.
I phoned Nationwide and their operator said that the Select credit card that I have, offers everything the Clarity card offers, but they just haven't had the same publicity about it on MSE.
I already have a FairFX Prepaid Card set up to spend over there, but I would be very grateful for some advice about what to do about the credit cards... This is my family's first trip abroad, and I don't want to make a costly mistake.
Thanks in advance for any help....:)

General_Grant

Nationwide Select is a Visa card.
Halifax Clarity is a Mastercard.

That's one reason why I would take both.

Cash back on Halifax (as long as you have a Halifax current account too and say you'll pay in £750/£1000 (debatable which for the purpose of Clarity)), is 1.67% (if exactly £300 spend but less if you spend more as it's a flat £5).

Select gives you 0.5% on the total.

YorkshireBoy

central.fm wrote: »

I phoned Nationwide and their operator said that the Select credit card that I have, offers everything the Clarity card offers

Well they would say that wouldn't they!


The Clarity card doesn't charge a cash advance fee. What's the cash advance fee on your Nationwide Select card?

grumbler

General_Grant wrote: »

Select gives you 0.5% on the total.

£ purchases only?

SnowTiger

General_Grant wrote: »

Nationwide Select is a Visa card.
Halifax Clarity is a Mastercard.

That's one reason why I would take both.

Cash back on Halifax (as long as you have a Halifax current account too and say you'll pay in £750/£1000 (debatable which for the purpose of Clarity)), is 1.67% (if exactly £300 spend but less if you spend more as it's a flat £5).

Discussed here.

The fiver is dependant on spending £300 (or equivalent in foreigner money) and meeting the requirements when you opened the Clarity account. You don't have to continue funding a Halifax current account afterwards or even have one.

General_Grant wrote: »

Select gives you 0.5% on the total.

Purchases in GBP only.

Apparently, Mastercard offers a (slightly) better exchange rate. Clarity is Mastercard. Nationwide Select is Visa.

I have both cards and an N&P debit card for my travel abroad.

System

It's not worth even considering unless your planning on withdrawing cash at a local ATM.

Be aware that in the USA, many ATMs surcharge (add an additional fee) onto top of any fee that the card issuer charges. Therefore, even a Clarity ATM withdrawal wouldn't be free.