Best bank cards for extended travel

Harriet8719

I would like some advice as to which card, debit or credit I should take on an extended period of travel. I am travelling for 7 months, I have a Barclay credit card (your most recommended) however they say it's for up to 56 days of fee-free transactions and withdrawal after which, I assume, I will be charged. I need a card that will incur the lowest charges over a longer period.

Can you help?
Many thanks in advance

zagfles

The Barclaycard Travel card? If so yes that's a good one as you can withdraw cash abroad fee free too (though in some countries the ATM may change a fee). Just set up a direct debit (full balance) to your bank account and make sure you've got enough in the bank account to cover your spending.

Watch out for the cash limit on the Travel card, it seems to be about a third of the normal credit limit.

Also watch out for DCC, always pay in local currency, never accept the rate any ATM offers you, always go for the "without conversion" option. And when paying for stuff always tell them to charge you in the local currency, and check your receipt doesn't show GBP anywhere on it.

And make sure you have a backup card - never rely on just one card in case it gets blocked.

Harriet8719

Thank you, yes I have this card and the direct debit to pay it off in full already set up.
.... but does it work for more than 56 days abroad? As this is what I've read.

If so what other card would work for the 7 months I'm away?

Is there a good debit card with free transactions and withdrawals I could have as a back up card? (Before my normal cards)

Many thanks

zagfles

I think you've misread it. It's not up to 56 days of fee free use abroad, it's up to 56 days interest free credit if you pay in full. This is because payment is taken 25 days after your statement date, add between 1 and 31 days between the transaction and statement date, makes between 26 and 56 days interest free credit.

Halifax Clarity is another good one, and it's Mastercard which give very slightly better rates than VISA. You do pay interest on ATM withdrawals though, but it won't be much, not worth worrying about if it's just a backup.

Harriet8719

Ah that makes more sense! Thank you so much for the clarification and advice

NoodleDoodleMan

Is there a good debit card with free transactions and withdrawals I could have as a back up card? (Before my normal cards)

Short answer is YES - but you have to investigate terms and conditions to determine which suit your circumstances.

1. Metrobank current account - Mastercard debit card is ATM fee free in the Single European Payments Area (SEPA) - 19 EU Euro currency, 9 non EU countries, 2 non EU Euro currency and 4 non EU non Euro currency.

No monthly fee or zero balance to have this account. The maindraw is that you need to apply in person in branch, and these are all in London and surrounding counties.

There may be others that I'm unaware of.

Not ATM fee free outside "Europe" (as above) - so unsuitable for North America etc.

2. Nationwide FlexPlus current account - Visa debit card is ATM fee free worldwide. Account is £13 a month, but the packaged benefits can "pay for themselves" - principally the worldwide travel cover up to age 75, worldwide mobile 'phone insurance and UK & European vehicle breakdown assistance.

This is the account we have - very happy with it.

One caution, this debit card is not fee free if you use it to purchase goods or services, only for cash from ATMs.

3. Some Santander current account debit cards - and only at Santander ATMs in Spain (including the Balearics) and the Canary Islands. You'd need to check the small print reference which accounts offer this benefit and which don't. Obviously only of limited use - but good for punters who travel to Espana regularly and can access Santander branches and/or their branded ATMs.

4. Starling Bank - this is (currently) a pre-paid card, however they are in the process of introducing current accounts. They are ATM fee free at this time and their stated intention is to remains so.

5. Monzo - similar to Starling - but have recently announced a 3% fee for withdrawals above a monthly £200 in equivalent foreign currency fee free limit.

Both the above are evolving banks, so I may not be up to date on developments. Their pre-paid cards are serviced easily via apps on Apple products in my experience - not so clear on Android devices. You can add funds from another bank account very quickly using the apps - as long as you have wifi access.

6. The Cumberland Building Society offer a fee free debit card - but I believe you have to live within their branch location areas to open one - that's around the Lake District in rough general terms.

Gloomendoom

NoodleDoodleMan wrote: »

4. Starling Bank - this is (currently) a pre-paid card, however they are in the process of introducing current accounts.

As far as I am aware, new accounts get a debit card. I did this week. They also offer a (very generous) overdraft facility

5. Monzo - similar to Starling

Except that it is a pre-paid card at the moment. It says so on it.

NoodleDoodleMan

Incidentally - a Nationwide FlexOne current account is fee free for overseas ATM use.

However, it's only available for 11-17 year olds.

Does open up possibilities for punters who will have their kids in tow on holiday !!!

NoodleDoodleMan

"Both the above are evolving banks, so I may not be up to date on developments."

The above health warning was included reference Starling and Monzo.

Thanks for the update.

eDicky

NoodleDoodleMan wrote: »

4. Starling Bank - this is (currently) a pre-paid card, however they are in the process of introducing current accounts. They are ATM fee free at this time and their stated intention is to remains so.

Starling Bank is not and has never been a prepaid card, it's a full-service mobile-only bank account. Excellent for travel, with no fees, MasterCard exchange rate and even gives some token interest. The app works perfectly, updates and notifies instantly for any transaction, and provides advanced selectable security features for the card.

worried_jim

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Except that it is a pre-paid card at the moment. It says so on it.

Monzo have stopped providing the pre pay card now and it is rolling out the current account debit card.