Unexpected problem with the Halifax Clarity Card

adindas

For those who want to use Halifax clarity card. The best practice of using this card to avoid or to minimize interest,. Is that

- Clear all of the balance before traveling using Manual Faster payment, By this way your balance including the previous statement month already zero. You could see your current balance by logging into your Halifax account.

- If you could, use Clarity only for cash withdrawal; do not mix it with purchase. For purchase use other cards. There are a lot of other credit cards which does not add fee for foreign transaction such as Capital One, Nationwide Select. But If not you must clear any balance appear (e.g. cash withdrawal + purchase) as soon as you possibly can.

- Arriving home check again the balance and if anything have not been clear, make a manual payment again using Faster payment. By doing this you will only pay very tiny interest or pay no interest at all.
But he the less complicated way is to acquire Zero fee for foreign transaction debit cards. By doing this you will do not need to so the hassle for clearing the balance.

zagfles

redpete wrote: »

As opposed to your near-religious fervour against the sin of DDs.

In what way did the DD contribute to the OP's problem (apart from his misunderstanding of how they work)?

You can still use DDs to pay the statement balance off in full and pay off any cash withdrawals ASAP.

Yes but it gets complicated. To clear any cash withdrawals made between the statement date and DD date, you need to clear the entire statement balance first. And then hope the DD isn't taken as well (it probably won't be but if you're close to the DD date it might be).

jumperabv3

zagfles wrote: »

Yes but it gets complicated. To clear any cash withdrawals made between the statement date and DD date, you need to clear the entire statement balance first. And then hope the DD isn't taken as well (it probably won't be but if you're close to the DD date it might be).

What's the problem of clearing the card manually without using any Direct Debit (DD)? That's what I do.

System

I prefer faster payments (plus in-branch cash payments) as they can be made when needed.

I've setup direct debits for a family member as this means she can use her cards like charge cards and only have a quick glance at the bills when they arrive.

Horses for courses IMHO

zagfles

jumperabv3 wrote: »

What's the problem of clearing the card manually without using any Direct Debit (DD)? That's what I do.

Err, so do I...the PP was suggesting use of DDs and I was suggsting they complicate things, so I don't have one!

chuckley

jumperabv3 wrote: »

I actually pay it off the very same day I take out the money, why do I need to pay interest even for 1 day?!

You clearly missed the word IF.

Also someone else said it's best you travel with a zero balance rather than 'mix and match' as your payment will be allocate to the balance before cash withdrawals.

Inconvenient card.

You clearly travel with a zero balance and then pay back every withdrawal day of your holiday. what fun.

chuckley

chattychappy wrote: »

Nooses just aren't what they used to be.

On an ATM withdrawal of, say, £100 you will be paying typically 4p a day.

Am I supposed to be impressed?

ennisbrown

Told Halifax going to India.No problem in making first withdrawal. Checked authenticated app few days later and entered 3 of my 17 digit password correctly.Made payment from my Halifax savings a/c on my app.Found later payment blocked and message asking me to ring. Did so and asked a lot of security questions. Requested payment be made and was told it was blocked and had to be referred to Payments section.They were obviously not told security had been done and had to go through full credit check!
They would not tell me why my card was blocked when making payment from one of my accounts to another. This had been done many times in the past with no problem.
Fortunately had another bank card but this is more expensive (Hence getting clarity card)
Emailed complaint 3 days ago but not even acknowledged yet!
Still no access to my account and find that my credit card has been paid twice from my savings.
Be really stuck without other card in that I could not access cash.
The unresolved phone call which dropped out after 20 minutes cost over £20!! on data usage.
Can wait till I get home but will pursue with vigour and claim of compensation and incurred expense to Financial Ombudsman if necessary.
All because I was trying to transfer money between my accounts.
Unbelievable appalling customer service from Halifax.
Will keep you posted.
Ennis Brown