Card for foreign travel

jeff_chandler

We are visiting Poland in March and travelling with another couple. We are Beer lovers and visit Poland quite a lot.

The couple we are going with tell me of a card they use each time they make a purchase, i.e Bar or a restaurant. They tell me it gives them a bit more on the exchange rate.

They went to Poland in November when the PLZ exchange rate was 4.78 but got a better rate when they used their card.

The card they use was from the Post Office but I'm a little backward where credit cards are concerned and like to use local currency so I know precisely how much I am spending.

Anyone know what sort of cards these would be?

Thank you Jeff

cooltt

You have 2 options Jeff.

Apply for a credit card that your friend is using that does not charge for making transactions or cash withdrawals abroad. Halifax Clarity. Creation everyday platinum. Post office travel, and there's another which I can't quite remember. Creation & Halifax Clarity are the best.

Apply for a prepaid card that you load with cash before you go. There are both Mastercard and visa versions. The advantage with these is their easy to get, top up and keep tabs on. However you need to check the fees with these cards as they are generally well hidden.

Option one is what I have. Creation everyday platinum.

Forgot to say, always do the transaction in the local currency never sterling. Some places will try to automatically do it in sterling ask for it in local.

Missus_Hyde

I would second the Halifax Clarity and Creation Everyday cards (always a good idea to use one as a backup card as well.)

Some folks have had a problem getting a Clarity card, but the Creation card has an eligiblity check you can do before applying and does seem to be a bit easier to obtain.

I've used both abroad with no trouble, but you should let them know your destination abroad before you go so that there should hopefully be no problems.

eDicky

jeff_chandler wrote: »

The card they use was from the Post Office

If this was the Post Office Platinum credit card, it's fee-free for foreign purchases but has a £2 or 2.5% ATM fee on foreign withdrawals, and their customer services (Bank of Ireland) is notoriously bad.

If it was a Post Office prepaid currency card, they are terrible value and should be avoided.

For occasional trips a prepaid card without fees such as Monzo or Revolut is quicker and easier than getting a suitable credit card, and list transactions immediately on their phone app.

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

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

Wellard_Mann

I'm using the Barclaycard Platinum Travel card. No fees on either foreign purchases or ATM withdrawals. Also you don't pay interest on foreign ATM withdrawals provided the balance is settled in full on the due date. The downside is that this deal is valid only until August 2018.

Barny1979

Weswap pre-paid card might be good?

Jlawson118

Wellard_Mann wrote: »

I'm using the Barclaycard Platinum Travel card. No fees on either foreign purchases or ATM withdrawals. Also you don't pay interest on foreign ATM withdrawals provided the balance is settled in full on the due date. The downside is that this deal is valid only until August 2018.

I really want the Clarity card but they reject me. Although I am 80% likely to get the Barclaycard Platinum but the only downside what puts me off is the offer date ending then, otherwise I'd jump on the offer and apply. Though it doesn't seem worth a credit check if I'm going to be looking for a new one next September.. :rotfl:

Jlawson118

There's numerous cards you can use abroad, the ones I'm aware of would be the Barclaycard Platinum, although as stated above, there's a date when the offer ends.
There is the Halifax Clarity card although Missus Hyde stated above, some people find it hard to join them. I'm one of them, I earn a fare decent living, have a decent credit report, never been in debt and they still reject me.

I was using the Lloyds Avios cards last Summer, I used them a lot whilst abroad and they were fantastic, though the only downside to them is that there's a £24 yearly fee..

No_6

just do a search on this site

PeacefulWaters

Wellard_Mann wrote: »

I'm using the Barclaycard Platinum Travel card. No fees on either foreign purchases or ATM withdrawals. Also you don't pay interest on foreign ATM withdrawals provided the balance is settled in full on the due date. The downside is that this deal is valid only until August 2018.

Conversely, it comes with an 18 month guarantee.

Other cards can remove the benefit at two months notice.

Jlawson118

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

Conversely, it comes with an 18 month guarantee.

Other cards can remove the benefit at two months notice.

I never thought it of like that in all fairness! Although saying that, there's probably something in the terms and conditions just like the other offers that will say they have the right to withdraw the promotion at any time