Whats the best credit card for travelling or using abroad?

ftsos

Hello Everyone,

I am looking to go abroad for a while with the whole family. We might stay a few months, or we may stay a year or longer, we just don't know yet. I am trying to take some credit cards as a backup. I don't normally use credit cards, and when I do, I normally pay in full. Is there any one card that is well known for travelling benefits? If so can you please let me know?

Also, I have recently signed up with American Express Gold Card, I always got the feeling from their advertising that they were good for travelling aboard. However, we won't be staying in any luxury hotels and stuff, so I am not sure if it will be much use.

Thanks.

[Deleted User]

One with no foreign exchange fee would be a good choice, such as Halifax Clarity.

YorkshireBoy

Will you continue to settle in full each month whilst away?


And will you be wanting to draw cash from ATMs on it?

davidious

Halifax Clarity. Can be one of the cheapeast ways to withdraw cash from ATM aboard cheaper than a Debit card. Found it cheaper than changing money. Great for purchases aboard. Just make sure your pay it off each month.

Marchitiello

I have been travelling with the Lloyds Avios Duo for few months now and on the MasterCard I never get charged foreign transaction fee or exchange fee. I did get stung with cash withdrawal on my bank account so I think I will look into the Halifax Clarity in further details to understand exactly how the cash withdrawal work.

forestwn6

Look under the Travel section of this site. Plenty of good information there

Candyapple

ftsos wrote: »

Hello Everyone,

I am looking to go abroad for a while with the whole family. We might stay a few months, or we may stay a year or longer, we just don't know yet. I am trying to take some credit cards as a backup. I don't normally use credit cards, and when I do, I normally pay in full. Is there any one card that is well known for travelling benefits? If so can you please let me know?

Also, I have recently signed up with American Express Gold Card, I always got the feeling from their advertising that they were good for travelling aboard. However, we won't be staying in any luxury hotels and stuff, so I am not sure if it will be much use.

Thanks.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards

Not sure why you opened an Amex Gold card without knowing what the card actually does. First of all it is a charge card (there is a difference between that and a normal credit card) which if you are only going to use it occasionally you may fall foul of your transactions being declined especially if making expensive purchases without prior authorisation, secondly it is no good for use abroad as you'll be charged 2.99% fee on every transaction and finally the only travel perk that you may possibly use would be the 2 lounge passes - however if you are travelling as a family - it means you'll have to pay the entry fee for any other members of your family (anywhere between £15-30 per person).

concernedSaver

Not sure why you opened an Amex Gold card without knowing what the card actually does

Advertising.

ftsos

Hi Guys, thanks for recommendations and comments. I will look into the cards you mentioned.

Regarding AmEx, I mainly joined because of the things like local translator doctor etc stuff that they advertise about. I may be being a bit naive but I thought it can't hurt to have it there just in case, since the first year is free.

Thanks.

realaledrinker

Nationwide Flex Plus Account. Fee free debit card ATM withdrawals, Worldwide travel insurance for immediate family (31 days, extendable to 180 days). European car breakdown cover, worldwide mobile phone insurance. £10/month


Nationwide Select Plus credit card. No transaction fees for purchases abroad. Pure Visa exchange rate.

giblet10

realaledrinker wrote: »

Nationwide Flex Plus Account. Fee free debit card ATM withdrawals, Worldwide travel insurance for immediate family (31 days, extendable to 180 days). European car breakdown cover, worldwide mobile phone insurance. £10/month


Nationwide Select Plus credit card. No transaction fees for purchases abroad. Pure Visa exchange rate.

Yep, there's no better combo out there for £10 a month it really does appeal to someone like me who travels a lot abroad. Very impressed with them so far.