Halifax Clarity Credit card - charges for cash in foreign ATMs

jimlad68

I don't know if I am missing something, but MSE pushes the Halifax Clarity Credit card to get cash while abroad above taking cash as it is a better rate.

OK, the rate might be better, and Halifax do not make any charges, but I have never found a cash machine in the USA that does not charge to give out cash. I have tried Independent ATMs and Bank ATMs, e.g. yesterday I tried Chase Bank (big in USA) and they were going to charge $3 on $200. I've not done the calculations, but that must surely make taking cash a better (but less safe) option.

So, what I am really asking is, does anyone know of any USA banks/ institutions that do not charge for cash withdrawal like our UK ones (or at least a less ripoff %).

I have searched but cannot find any lists of this sort of detail. Has anyone a link to such information.

P.S. I contacted Halifax in the past by phone, they had no idea!! So today I tried to email them; the only way to contact them electronically is by Twitter, what is banking coming to? I did anyway, after some pleasant exchanges, they had no idea e.g.
" Sadly, we don’t have the info to how much other banks would charge & we’re not responsible for what they’d charge at their ATM. However, I’ll certainly ensure that your feedback on this is recorded."

That was a similar response to when I phoned up months ago, so no action since then!

Ben8282

There wont be any 'action' as the type of charge referred to above is applied by the operator of the ATM not the credit card provider. Such charges are therefore outside the control of the credit card provider.

jimlad68

I appreciate 'charges are therefore outside the control of the credit card provider', but surely these charges are not random and should be available.

But:
- does it mean MSEs recommendation over cash is wrong?
- are there any lists of these charges anywhere, other than ploughing through every ATM suppliers websites.

photome

jimlad68 wrote: »

I appreciate 'charges are therefore outside the control of the credit card provider', but surely these charges are not random and should be available.

But:
- does it mean MSEs recommendation over cash is wrong?
- are there any lists of these charges anywhere, other than ploughing through every ATM suppliers websites.

No it doesnt

at todays rates if you exchange £200 for cash at Asda you would get $242.90

if you used an ATM in The USA the conversion would be $249.90 less the average $3 charge = $246.90.

of course if you were to withdraw larger amounts the benefit would be even greater

of course there is interest as well but if you get the lowest amount (mine is 12.9) and or pay it off quickly (easily done online) you can almost bring that down to zero

EarthBoy

jimlad68 wrote: »

- are there any lists of these charges anywhere, other than ploughing through every ATM suppliers websites.

No there aren't. I can see how such a list might be helpful, but who would compile it? Charges can change anytime, so it would be difficult to keep a list up to date.

Biggles

There are plenty of lists if you do a search. But there are very few free ATMs to be found. And the banks' charges change all the time, so I can't see how Halifax could be expected to help.

robber2

If you want the answer then you are wasting you time going to Halifax. Chase Bank own the ATM, contact them and I'm sure they will answer your question. It would be a little unrealistic to expect any action from them though.

Rob

chattychappy

OP: I think you are being unreasonable. How could Halifax maintain such a list? What about Uganda? What about Thailand?

Clarity is excellent because it doesn't impose any charges. But any ATM could impose a charge, just as some merchants choose to add something for CC acceptance.

Can you imagine the cost of Halifax providing such a service? Can you imagine all the claims from people because they were "missold" their CC when it turns out that the list was slightly out of date and they were unexpectedly charged.

The reality is that Clarity is still among the best. If you put another CC into those machines, you would pay even more as the local machine charges you as well as your non-Clarity card.

Should you fly from Gatwick, you can get free USD by using your Clarity card in the Moneycorp machines (reject "conversion" when offered).

Roger1

Wrong title!

NOT 'foreign' ATMs but US ATMs.

I successfully use my cards in foreign ATMs without surcharge. They happen not to be in the USA.

PeacefulWaters

If you're in the USA just about everybody accepts a card for purchases anyway.

NiftyDigits

Perhaps stating your location might bring you fruit. Sheesh...

If in New York, use TD Bank. No ATM charge.