Dublin / Halifax Clarity

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

Hi,


I am heading to Dublin in 2 weeks (Girls weekend away) - and I've applied (and accepted) for the Halifax Clairty card.


I'm taking €100.00 with me for purchases I cant use my card for (Left over euros from previous trip abroad), and plan on putting things on the CC (Things like meals etc) and paying back the moment I arrive home.


Am I doing this the "right" way? I've never had an overseas card before!

loobs40

you can also use it for withdrawing cash from ATMs. Always make sure you reject currency conversion to sterling if it ask you

Ballard

Interest is only charged on cash withdrawals so if you just use the card to pay in shops & restaurants then there's no need to pay the balance early.

If you find that you need cash then perhaps you could pay one (or more) of the other girl's restaurant tab and she can give you the cash.

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

Thank you both. TBH I don't think I will need THAT much cash. Im guessing its more for when / if we go to a bar in the evening (and I don't drink so the bills not likely to be high...)

We're getting a leap card for transport so other than food / souvenirs / admission into places I don't think there will be a great need for cash

leylandsunaddict

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel wrote: »

Hi,


I am heading to Dublin in 2 weeks (Girls weekend away) - and I've applied (and accepted) for the Halifax Clairty card.


I'm taking €100.00 with me for purchases I cant use my card for (Left over euros from previous trip abroad), and plan on putting things on the CC (Things like meals etc) and paying back the moment I arrive home.


Am I doing this the "right" way? I've never had an overseas card before!

It's not an overseas card. It's a standard credit card. We use ours for everything at home, and for cash withdrawals and purchases abroad. The interest you pay on cash withdrawals is minimal, but if you want to you can log in online and clear your balance the same day and avoid interest charges.

Westin

Yes, you are doing the right thing - but do take a back up credit card just in case you have problems with your new Clarity card. I doubt you will but I would never rely on just one payment method if travelling.

PeacefulWaters

Westin wrote: »

Yes, you are doing the right thing - but do take a back up credit card just in case you have problems with your new Clarity card. I doubt you will but I would never rely on just one payment method if travelling.

I've just had my clarity card rejected in the RENFE (train) ticket machine at Madrid airport.

Fair to say the backup card came in handy. Albeit with a €0.08 fee from the card issuer!

Westin

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

I've just had my clarity card rejected in the RENFE (train) ticket machine at Madrid airport.

Fair to say the backup card came in handy. Albeit with a €0.08 fee from the card issuer!

I feel your pain.

I also experienced problems on the RENFE website when trying to book seats on a long distance train in advance. Various Mastercards (including my Clarity one) and Visa cards would reject. In the end a friend in Madrid went to the station to make the reservation and handed over cash for me.

Definitely a good plan to have multiple back up methods to pay or obtain funds when travelling. Use Clarity first and normally always, but have over the years had to rely on other more expensive to use credit cards as a backup.

Even at Dublin airport the machine at the bus stop for the bus into Dublin City didn't want to take a credit card last year so good old cash €'s came in to play.

PeacefulWaters

Westin wrote: »

I feel your pain.

I also experienced problems on the RENFE website when trying to book seats on a long distance train in advance. Various Mastercards (including my Clarity one) and Visa cards would reject. In the end a friend in Madrid went to the station to make the reservation and handed over cash for me.

Definitely a good plan to have multiple back up methods to pay or obtain funds when travelling. Use Clarity first and normally always, but have over the years had to rely on other more expensive to use credit cards as a backup.

Even at Dublin airport the machine at the bus stop for the bus into Dublin City didn't want to take a credit card last year so good old cash €'s came in to play.

It's a reminder to bring €50 cash home (withdrawn on Clarity) with me to start me off on the next trip. It's inevitable that I'll return to the Eurozone.

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

leylandsunaddict wrote: »

It's not an overseas card. It's a standard credit card. We use ours for everything at home, and for cash withdrawals and purchases abroad. The interest you pay on cash withdrawals is minimal, but if you want to you can log in online and clear your balance the same day and avoid interest charges.

Apologies, I meant the reason I got one is purely to use overseas. I have another CC for 'home' that I use (cash in bank earning interest) and pay off in full

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

Oh I certainly wouldn't just travel with the CC. I'm taking euros and booking as many things as possible (Inc transport - leap card) before I go but thanks for the heads up