Which card for travel to Colombia?

9BooHon

I've contacted Halifax about the charges that I would have with my Debit Card.
They are £1.50 for a Foreign Currency Cash Fee and 2.99% for Foreign Currency Transaction Fee. This is without any further charges that I may be charged by ATM in Colombia! I have looked at the Post Office Mastercard and Halifax Clarity but have read not so good reviews.

What card is best for 0% fees across the board - 0% Foreign Currency Transaction Fee and 0% hidden fees etc....

I appreciate all help :money:

benjus

Have a look at this page: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money/ - particularly items 3 and 7.

Ideally take more than one fee-free card with you, and take 2-3 cards minimum in total, in case of problems with your preferred card(s).

As for ATM fees, you're unlikely to have any control over them other than looking for a different ATM. It's vaguely possible that you might find that certain ATMs charge for Visa cards but not Mastercard or vice versa, but probably not likely. In Argentina it's impossible to find any ATM that charges less than 4%, but I don't know about Colombia. In theory you can avoid ATM fees by going into a bank branch and doing an over-the-counter withdrawal with your card, but all the banks I tried in Argentina refused to do this. Hopefully someone with recent experience in Colombia can comment.

I don't know what bad reviews you've read about Halifax Clarity, but it's one of the cards that I use and I recommend it.

9BooHon

when you used the clarity what fees were you charged?

benjus

9BooHon wrote: »

when you used the clarity what fees were you charged?

Based on the various trips where I've used the card:

Card fees for payment: nothing
Card fees for cash withdrawals: nothing
Interest: nothing, because I pay off cash withdrawals as soon as they hit the account
ATM fees: nothing - 4%, depending on local availability of free ATMs

Ballard

I would second the Clarity card. The exchange rates are better than you’re ever likely to find with cash and I’ve never had any problems with acceptance anywhere that takes cards.

Whilst no fees are added by Halifax for ATM withdrawals the local bank may well add a fee. Chile was about 3%-4%. I’m currently in South Africa where I’ve been charged R50 and R55 for my two withdrawals (one Clarity and one Monzo). Interest is charged immediately but pay the whole bill off ASAP after the withdrawal is debited to keep this to a few pence.

Monzo and Starling are my other two cards and I would also recommend both. If you were interested in Monzo then they offer £5 each if someone recommends you so if you know someone who already has an account you might as well get it that way. I would happily send you a ‘golden ticket’ for this but it would make far more sense if you shared it with someone you know.

Coincidentally I’m off to Colombia in November so I would appreciate some feedback of your card use if you’re going before then.

Thomas_Holding

Ballard wrote: »

I would second the Clarity card. The exchange rates are better than you’re ever likely to find with cash and I’ve never had any problems with acceptance anywhere that takes cards.

Whilst no fees are added by Halifax for ATM withdrawals the local bank may well add a fee. Chile was about 3%-4%. I’m currently in South Africa where I’ve been charged R50 and R55 for my two withdrawals (one Clarity and one Monzo). Interest is charged immediately but pay the whole bill off ASAP after the withdrawal is debited to keep this to a few pence.

Monzo and Starling are my other two cards and I would also recommend both. If you were interested in Monzo then they offer £5 each if someone recommends you so if you know someone who already has an account you might as well get it that way. I would happily send you a ‘golden ticket’ for this but it would make far more sense if you shared it with someone you know.

Coincidentally I’m off to Colombia in November so I would appreciate some feedback of your card use if you’re going before then.

I have been to Colombia several times and most of the time I can use my Halifax card there.
Be careful when you use it, in safe places etc.