Halifax Clarity

[Deleted User]

Be aware that you run the risk of having your card blocked or closed by pre loading it.

Probably a small risk on low amounts, but it's safe to pay a couple of pence interest than find your card no longer works on foreign soil.

chattychappy

Just not worth the risk IMHO in order to save a few pence.

That said, I accidentally overloaded Santander Zero recently (same deal as Clarity) - I sent a payment to the wrong card leaving Zero a few hundred in credit. There weren't any issues. I don't think anyone has come on here and said they actually had a problem with pre-loading.

This issue has been done to death on this forum.

telemarks

telemarks wrote: »

I bought an extra watch strap from ebay.ca for $1. Coming from China. I hope that counts

Yay! Halifax paid my £20 cashback!! :j and quickly to :T:T

• 07 Feb 18 - Clarity account opened
• 08 Feb 18 - PAYPAL *XIN ZHAN £ 0.97
• 13 Mar 18 - FOREIGN PURCHASE CASHBA £20.00

:T:T:T:T:T:T:T

Which means my Clarity account is now £20 in credit, opps!

itsme91287

Hi, Just received my new Clarity card, my question is can I just go to my local Halifax branch (or indeed any bank or ATM) in the UK & obtain Euros using this card & pay almost 0% interest, assuming I pay my account same day?

PeacefulWaters

itsme91287 wrote: »

Hi, Just received my new Clarity card, my question is can I just go to my local Halifax branch (or indeed any bank or ATM) in the UK & obtain Euros using this card & pay almost 0% interest, assuming I pay my account same day?

Yes. But Halifax and others will provide you with a poor over counter exchange rate.

Take your card to the airport. Get on a plane to your overseas destination. Head to an ATM. Withdraw your foreign currency at that ATM. Ensure you don't ask the ATM to convert back to sterling.

Job done.

Or just use your clarity card in bars and restaurants and avoid cash completely.

lisyloo

Or just use your clarity card in bars and restaurants

Make sure they don't do conversion either.
You want to be charged in local currency as halifax will charge you 0%.
The bank of the bar/restaurant will charge you. Around 4% is usual but it could be more.

chattychappy

lisyloo wrote: »

The bank of the bar/restaurant will charge you. Around 4% is usual but it could be more.

I've found it anything up to 8% !

Xmasmouse

I’ve followed this blog and learned a lot. Can I just check one point? Can I take-out cash in Euros at a UK airport before I travel? Is that a service these “Moneycorp” machines offer and, if so, how common are these machines?PS: I’m new to this forum and haven’t yet worked-out how to start a new thread with a new question - so I’m trying to tag onto a related discussion instead!

Terry98

Xmasmouse wrote: »

I’ve followed this blog and learned a lot. Can I just check one point? Can I take-out cash in Euros at a UK airport before I travel? Is that a service these “Moneycorp” machines offer and, if so, how common are these machines?PS: I’m new to this forum and haven’t yet worked-out how to start a new thread with a new question - so I’m trying to tag onto a related discussion instead!

I cannot speak for other airports but the Moneycorp machines are all over Gatwick now......a couple of years ago there were only a couple! You can take take Euros out of them using the Clarity card and if you ensure the conversion is done by Halifax you will get the best rate.

chattychappy

Terry98 wrote: »

I cannot speak for other airports but the Moneycorp machines are all over Gatwick now

AFAIK Moneycorp they now have an exclusive on bureaux de change. Hence the only Travellex you see is just inside the railway station. Because of this there are Moneycorp desks and ATMs everywhere. Some of their ATMs do Turkish Lira and Swiss Francs as well as/instead of Euro, USD and Sterling. I've seen a Barclays ATM but haven't noticed any others.