Best Credit Card for first time traveller

ali1985

Afternoon,

I am due to be going travelling in March and I was looking at having a credit card for the first time.
As I have never used one I am unaware on what is the best card to get.

A family member has mentioned getting a credit card with 12 months 0% interest!
Would anyone suggest this as a good idea?
I would presume I would have 12 months to pay the card limit off,before the interest kicks in.

I am looking to get a card with a £2,000 limit with hopefully 12months 0% interest and with Christmas around the corner are there any deals that credit card companies are offering this at the moment?

I have tried looking online but to no avail.

Any links or help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

swayze

The Nationwide is a good credit card for travelling as there is no foreign exchange fee.

However purchases are only 0% for 3 months.

If you are looking for a card with a long retail rate at 0% then The Virgin Card is currently offering 15 months.

Halifax has one offering 12 months for 0% as well.

Moggles_2

Originally Posted by swayze
If you are looking for a card with a long retail rate at 0% then The Virgin Card is currently offering 15 months.

Virgin offers 0% on balance transfers for 15 months. The interest-free period for purchases lasts just 3 months, same as Nationwide.

N9eav

Get a Capital One card which pays 4% cash back or an American Express which pays 5% cash back on all purchases.

Spend up and reap the rewards. Then shove it all on to an interest free card later.

Just a thought.... :rolleyes:

taless

How well do you rate your credit rating, Ali1985?

I was slightly concerned as you mentioned you are getting the credit card for the first time. Did you have any loans/mortgages in the past, and do they come around successfully?

Nationwide, Post Office offer 0% surcharge on purchases in overseas currencies, which is good for your travelling needs, but I heard they require a pretty decent credit history. All the other 0% deals also require a pretty good one.

You are normally allowed 2 card applications in 6 months' time before your credit rating gets significantly affected. So I will suggest a harder one, like Nationwide which other posters mentioned; and an easier one - for example, from your current account's bank - so that you will have a credit card to use for your travel.

All the best!

Jake'sGran

I use Nationwide for travelling, paying hotel bills and so on (make sure if you do this that the currency amount is put on the card - don't let them convert it at the hotel). For currency I use M & S who charge no commission if you buy £500 and they deliver to your door and give good rates. Have a good time!

swayze

Moggles wrote: »

Virgin offers 0% on balance transfers for 15 months. The interest-free period for purchases lasts just 3 months, same as Nationwide.

Oh yeah so it does. My mistake.