Halifax Clarity Credit Card for Travelling

shennan

I'm travelling to the USA next month and wanted to know if it would be better for me to get a travel credit card. Reading the "Travel Credit Cards" article on MSE, Martin says (about the Halifax Clarity Card) that:

"There's no fee for cash withdrawals, though you'll be charged interest at 18.9% representative APR even if you pay it off in full. So it works out at about £1.50/month for each £100 withdrawn (if you get this APR)."

Does this apply to purchases made straight to the retailer with the card? Or just taking out 'cash advances' from machines?

For example, if I was to pay for something in a shop with the card, would I have until the end of the month to pay off the balance without getting any fees or interest charges, or will those purchases be subject to the same 18.9% APR until the balance is paid of, regardless of whether I did it within the month?

Thanks in advance.

adindas

Just for cash withdrawal
For purchase it is always be 0%.

shennan wrote: »

I'm travelling to the USA next month and wanted to know if it would be better for me to get a travel credit card. Reading the "Travel Credit Cards" article on MSE, Martin says (about the Halifax Clarity Card) that:

"There's no fee for cash withdrawals, though you'll be charged interest at 18.9% representative APR even if you pay it off in full. So it works out at about £1.50/month for each £100 withdrawn (if you get this APR)."

Does this apply to purchases made straight to the retailer with the card? Or just taking out 'cash advances' from machines?

For example, if I was to pay for something in a shop with the card, would I have until the end of the month to pay off the balance without getting any fees or interest charges, or will those purchases be subject to the same 18.9% APR until the balance is paid of, regardless of whether I did it within the month?

Thanks in advance.

shennan

That's odd. I just got off the phone with Halifax and the operator seemed to think that it was for any purchases made on the card (including through retail or online).

But I have a meeting with them to set up the card so I will double-check then and report back.

eDicky

shennan wrote: »

if I was to pay for something in a shop with the card, would I have until the end of the month to pay off the balance without getting any fees or interest charges,

Yes, it's only cash withdrawals that accrue daily interest right away.

shennan wrote: »

That's odd. I just got off the phone with Halifax and the operator seemed to think that it was for any purchases made on the card (including through retail or online).

A misunderstanding, or lack of knowledge about their own product (not uncommon these days).

heatherw_01

Definitely just for withdrawals

LuSiVe

Unless you use the card before you go away, get a statement, don't pay it off in full. Then you lose the interest free period (as with all cards).

darkidoe

Much too complicated to navigate through the possibilities and keep track.

I suggest keeping cash advances separate from purchases on different cards, so you can keep track of cash advances and pay it off as you withdraw to minimise any interests, but as mentioned, interest for a few days/a month will be a nominal sum.

Biggles

As above, definitely no interest charge for purchases.

Some like to try and pay off cash advances during the month to avoid any interest but, to be honest, it's normally such a small amount that I only bother if I have been drawing fairly large sums out (or maybe if I have done a few withdrawals right at the beginning of my statement month).

chattychappy

The way I look at it is this:

Interest is calculated at 18% APR (or whatever) on both purchases and cash. However in the case of purchases, interest is not applied in the case where the entire statement balance is paid off by the due date.

anto164

I would recommend paying off the cash advance as you go, use the mastercard currency conversion to estimate how much this may cost you. That;s what i do, however the £5 reward credit for spending over £300 would cover any interest charges.

[Deleted User]

This is the best card for travelling, 0% foreign transaction fees on purchases. I use it to buy stuff in other currencies all the time online and also when I go to Russia every now and then. Do not use this card for cash withdrawals!