Halifax clarity card

redmalc

Just ordered a new Halifax Clarity credit card to use abroad,any tips or not to do,s with the card would be helpful as I have always used my HSBC Premier card but it is expensive

Doctor_Duke

Any cash withdrawals are charged interest once you withdrawal. Ensure you credit the amount back into the card asap to avoid interest although there is no cash fee.

bigadaj

Also make sure when you are paying that it is from a secure environment, the actual interest is fairly low so waiting to get back to the uk on a Fortnights holiday is better than risking security.

I think that currently the best rate for the clarity is now around 18%, which is 1.5% a month, so for every £100 withdrawn assuming it takes two weeks to pay back, which is conservative, gives a cost of 75p.

This is also from as near a perfect exchange rate as a consumer is going to get, many places advertise fee free exchange but the rates they offer can be terrible.

eDicky

The Halifax smartphone app is quite useful when traveling. You can see the GBP amount of a cash withdrawal if you want to pay it off quickly, and you can notify Halifax of the country you are in if you previously forgot or arrived there unexpectedly.

Note that any balance on the card that is already 'statemented' will be paid off before any cash transactions, when you make a payment.

YorkshireBoy

For purchases, always elect/ask to pay in local currency, not GBP (where they do the conversion and you lose out due to DCC).

For cash withdrawals, always press the "without conversion" (or similar*) button on the ATM. That way, your card provider does the conversion and you get the best rate.

The above applies to all cards though, so you're probably aware of it anyway?

dresdendave

If you can pay for any purchases by card, use your Clarity, insisting it is charged in the local currency.


If you need local cash withdraw from an ATM, again making sure local currency is selected. If you have free, secure Wi-Fi you could make a payment to reduce any interest on the withdrawal. Do not pay for Wi-Fi as this will almost certainly cost you more than the potential interest.


Unless you are withdrawing very large amounts in cash you might as well wait until you return home, the interest will be pennies.