Which card would you choose ?

Cezzy

I shall be travelling abroad next year for several months and thinking of getting a card that would give me the best benefits. Which one would you choose and why ?

[Deleted User]

What cards do you already have?

Cezzy

I only have Tesco CC at the moment which I clear every month which feeds Santander 123 requirement.

[Deleted User]

Assuming you're most concerned about avoiding forex fees, something like the Halifax Clarity would be a solid choice.

Anthorn

Cezzy wrote: »

I shall be travelling abroad next year for several months and thinking of getting a card that would give me the best benefits. Which one would you choose and why ?

What? Where? How? When? Eh?

Due to the lack of information I can only comment according to my own situation. In France I have a French bank account but when I visit other countries I prefer a pre-paid card. Personally I have used both Revolut and Soldo and I prefer Soldo and I would run like mad away from Revolut. Promoters of Revolut or any currency card will say that you can use the card in the currency of the country visited. That's true but you still have to exchange GBP for foreign currencies in the first place. So whether you have any currency card or convert from pounds at the P.O.S. there is virtually no difference. Soldo for me.

Whatever I use whether a foreign bank account or prepaid card I have the backup of my U.K. bank account debit card and I tell the bank I'm going away. But due to the fees involved I hope I don't have to use it.

eDicky

Cezzy wrote: »

I shall be travelling abroad next year for several months and thinking of getting a card that would give me the best benefits. Which one would you choose and why ?

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

Don't rely on only one card in case it fails somehow or is lost etc. Choose at least two. I carry four (Revolut, Clarity, Metrobank, N&P).

simplydevine05

Santander do a card you can use few free abroad now. You are most likely to be accepted with them if you bank with them. Make sure you set up a direct debit for your payments so they don't get missed while you are away.

Cezzy

I shall be cruising down to Australia, staying there a while then cruising back. Fortunately on a cruise much is covered but wanted one for no cost money exchange covering general funds as well as spending in Australia. Was thinking of additional card so thanks for that eDicky.

Cisco001

Santander zero /Creation everyday master.
Barclay platinum travel visa
MBNA everyday plus amex

Get two types, just in case

eDicky

I can't resist recommending the Revolut prepaid MasterCard as a handy backup, simple, easy and free to obtain and use without the application process and credit checks of a CC.

Today in Indonesia I wanted to exchange some cash SGD for IDR, but preferred to avoid the police road block on the way to the money changer. So instead I put my Revolut card in a nearby ATM and withdrew a million rupiah from my euro balance. In the booth I remembered it was blocked for ATM use, so I opened the app on my phone, unblocked it, then blocked it again after becoming a rupiah millionaire. Mr Anthorn will recommend instead the Soldo card, which I believe has a similar anti-fraud feature.

System

Travelex Supercard will convert the Tesco credit card to forex free for purchases.

My slightly nervous parents used it, with their Tesco credit card, in Portugal recently and seemed pleasantly surprised.