Travelex Supercard trial to end

johnmoney05

boo_star wrote: »

He said the Canaries, not Canary Wharf.

In case it's an autocorrect, there's no advantage using the Supercard for ATM withdrawals unless you're using a credit card that isn't Halifax (and only then if you pay it off immediately.

Oh no! I travel to Canary Wharf daily too! Not for me then!! :beer:

macalloa

adindas wrote: »

I travel to canary wharf quite often and might be able to take advantage of this ATM. Would you mind to reveal this ATM ?? Location, bank name , etc ?? Is it Raphael Bank ??

Would you mind elaborate further about this, Does this ATM apply a visa/master exchange rate if you withdraw cash in foreign currency in the UK exactly the same way as if you were using your zero fee for foreign transaction credit card abroad??

Apologies for any confusion caused - BooStar is correct, I was referring to the Canary Islands, not Canary Wharf.

I used the Supercard in Gran Canaria and later in Tenerife, linked to Halifax Clarity credit card, for four separate withdrawals, and it worked without any dramas each time.

On the last occasion I withdrew the exact same amount (70 Euros) from the same ATM in the next transaction using my N&P debit card for comparison - the latter gave me a slightly better FX rate.

The Supercard was a good deal if linked to a no fee credit card, otherwise it was of minimal advantage - the introduction of a 2.99% ATM commission renders it unattractive IMO.

macalloa

In case it's an autocorrect, there's no advantage using the Supercard for ATM withdrawals unless you're using a credit card that isn't Halifax (and only then if you pay it off immediately.

I assume "isn't" should read "is" - or have I misread ?

adindas

macalloa wrote: »

On the last occasion I withdrew the exact same amount (70 Euros) from the same ATM in the next transaction using my N&P debit card for comparison - the latter gave me a slightly better FX rate.

Both N&P debit card and old Travelex supercard are using Visa.
Exchange rate should be EXACTLY the same if both transactions are recorded on the same date.You are comparing at the same time span.

What you need to be aware when you withdraw money from super card, quite often the transaction does not appear immediately, often it takes a few day to appear on your statements. Few people here are reporting up to a week delay.

Also quite rare but Visa might update their exchange rate more than once in a day. When the transaction is recorded in the morning, it might be slightly different to when it is recorded in the late afternoon, evening.

macalloa

adindas wrote: »

Both N&P debit card and old Travelex supercard are using Visa.
Exchange rate should be EXACTLY the same if both transactions are recorded on the same date.

What you need to be aware when you withdraw money from super card, quite often the transaction does not appear immediately, often it takes a few day to appear on your statements. Few people here are reporting up to a week delay.

Also quite rare but Visa might update their exchange rate more than once in a day. When the transaction is recorded in the morning, it might be slightly different to when it is recorded in the late afternoon, evening.

That is clearly what happened - the debit card transaction was an FX conversion without delay by VISA, whereas the credit card linked to the Supercard was not until a couple of days later.

virgo17

Too many refusals to authenticate in stores in Spain during the pilot for me. Was tempted to give it another go when the permanent version surfaced.

As said by others, the new ATM transaction charge makes it unattractive as I have several other alternatives available. Will give it a miss this time around.

Ivrytwr3

I used the supercard too, although i did get several refusals, it was still a good card to have.

I have now received the clarity card and will use this for hotel charges etc, but is this suitable for cash withdrawals at ATMs?

PeacefulWaters

Ivrytwr3 wrote: »

I used the supercard too, although i did get several refusals, it was still a good card to have.

I have now received the clarity card and will use this for hotel charges etc, but is this suitable for cash withdrawals at ATMs?

Clarity is excellent for ATM withdrawals:
No cash advance fee.
No foreign currency fee.

Interest is charged and is typically around 4p per £100 per day (a card that loads cash and currency will typically cost £3-£6 up front and then charge interest too).

Getting online and clearing the balance in full can minimise the 4p per £100 per day costs. But finding a bar where a drink is 20p cheaper may be a better use of your time. Ideally paying for those drinks as a purchase on the card.

chattychappy

Most of my transactions are foreign. I would say one of the best "soft" advantages of Clarity is that it rarely blocks. In fact, I've only had declines in the UK.

I haven't had the Travelex card, but every other card I've had has blocked more often than Clarity.

guesswho2000

chattychappy wrote: »

Most of my transactions are foreign. I would say one of the best "soft" advantages of Clarity is that it rarely blocks. In fact, I've only had declines in the UK.

I haven't had the Travelex card, but every other card I've had has blocked more often than Clarity.

I second that. However, I did have the Supercard in the pilot, and had generally no trouble with it.

The only issue is the 3 second time out it had to get a response from your linked card's issuer. Not normally a problem, but in areas with poor connections, this was an issue (mostly in rural parts of Australia and NZ, occasionally in the USA).