Best cards to make international purchases from the UK (not spending overseas)

tekno_2

I may be wrong, but I think spending overseas and making international purchases from within the UK are 2 different kinds of cards. Can someone please guide me on which cards I should be looking at for international purchases from within the UK? I need the best rate with no fees for making purchases in different currencies. 
I use my Amex and it always charges an international fee for my transaction. I have looked around and there is little clarity on which cards I should go for. 

I saw the barclaycard option which also has 0.25% cashback, but again I am not sure if a spending overseas card is going to do what I need it to do. 

Any help is much appreciated. 
Thanks.

[Deleted User]

A Forex free card, such as Clarity, will do the job.

pramsay13

I use Starling for both spending overseas and spending using foreign currency from the UK.

PRAISETHESUN

There isn't really much distinction between foreign currency transactions made overseas vs. foreign currency transactions made in the UK - the banks treat them more or less the same. In either case the same card will probably suit - the options listed above are good ones. When shopping overseas there are two things you want to look out for: a foreign currency fee and the exchange rate used. Many cards advertised as "fee free" use poor rates which still cost you more overall. 

See here for other good options: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/

eDicky

tekno_2 said:

I may be wrong, but I think spending overseas and making international purchases from within the UK are 2 different kinds of cards. 

No, they are both simply spending in a foreign currency, with conversion involved. Choose a 'travel' card as advised above.

Just be aware that some overseas companies, when their system detects a foreign (such as UK) card being used for an online payment, will try to proceed in the currency of the card (GBP in your case), and impose their own adverse exchange rate. You want your card to do the conversion at the ideal rate, not the merchant, so you have to look for the option to pay in the foreign currency, not pounds.

dresdendave

tekno_2 said:

I use my Amex and it always charges an international fee for my transaction. I have looked around and there is little clarity on which cards I should go for. 

Looks like you answered your own question.

born_again

Best cards to make international purchases from the UK (not spending overseas)

That is going to depend on the currency you are paying the retailer in.
GBP, then any card will do.
If it is in the retailers local currency, then that is going to incur charges. So one that does not would be better.

tekno_2

Thank you very much for all the help and support. I am now informed. I already have a halifax clarity card so I am sorted in that regard. I always pay in the foreign currency to ensure I get the rates from the bank and not the retailer.

Cheers.