Using debit card in America/Canada

shayne66

Hi all, going on a cruise in May to Alaska, sailing from Vancouver into Seattle. 
Started to think about how to take some spending money and decided to take some cash for tips etc and then look at a card. 
We currently have a Natwest Reward Platinum account and looking at there terms it says that we can use our debit card for purchases without any non sterling transaction fees. 

Is this card okay to use or will we get a low exchange rate ?. 

We wont be using the card to withdraw cash from an ATM. 

Sandtree

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/

Its "ok" to use but you'll be paying a fee as you say. There are other free debit and credit cards as per the link above which will be fee free. 

shayne66

Its classed as a top overseas card looking at the info available there. 

No exchange load and zero spending charge. 
Just the atm charge, although dont plan on using any.

Neil49

I wouldn't rely on just one card while travelling abroad and particularly not a debit card. 

Hotels and cruise etc take your card details as soon as you arrive and take a chunk of your credit to cover possible expenses. This isn't an issue with a credit card as all it does is reduce the amount of credit you have available for spending. With a debit card they earmark part of your credit balance which is then locked until they release it at a later date. So, if you have a credit balance of £2k and they earmark £500 then you can only spend £1.5k of your own money.

I always use my Monzo card wherever possible when abroad for day to day transactions and a Halifax Clarity credit card for hotels, car hire etc. 

The advantage of a Monzo card (and also the Starling card which is even better) is that they are internet based debit card accounts and transactions appear on your smartphone virtually instantly. There are no overseas charges and the exchange rates are as good as it gets. If your card gets lost or stolen you can lock it in seconds.

shayne66

Neil49 said:

I wouldn't rely on just one card while travelling abroad and particularly not a debit card. 

Hotels and cruise etc take your card details as soon as you arrive and take a chunk of your credit to cover possible expenses. This isn't an issue with a credit card as all it does is reduce the amount of credit you have available for spending. With a debit card they earmark part of your credit balance which is then locked until they release it at a later date. So, if you have a credit balance of £2k and they earmark £500 then you can only spend £1.5k of your own money.

I always use my Monzo card wherever possible when abroad for day to day transactions and a Halifax Clarity credit card for hotels, car hire etc. 

The advantage of a Monzo card (and also the Starling card which is even better) is that they are internet based debit card accounts and transactions appear on your smartphone virtually instantly. There are no overseas charges and the exchange rates are as good as it gets. If your card gets lost or stolen you can lock it in seconds.

we always have a credit card for hotel deposit's etc. 

Will look into a Starling card, does the account get locked if it's not used for any lengthy amount of time

eDicky

shayne66 said:

Neil49 said:

I wouldn't rely on just one card while travelling abroad and particularly not a debit card. 

Hotels and cruise etc take your card details as soon as you arrive and take a chunk of your credit to cover possible expenses. This isn't an issue with a credit card as all it does is reduce the amount of credit you have available for spending. With a debit card they earmark part of your credit balance which is then locked until they release it at a later date. So, if you have a credit balance of £2k and they earmark £500 then you can only spend £1.5k of your own money.

I always use my Monzo card wherever possible when abroad for day to day transactions and a Halifax Clarity credit card for hotels, car hire etc. 

The advantage of a Monzo card (and also the Starling card which is even better) is that they are internet based debit card accounts and transactions appear on your smartphone virtually instantly. There are no overseas charges and the exchange rates are as good as it gets. If your card gets lost or stolen you can lock it in seconds.

Will look into a Starling card, does the account get locked if it's not used for any lengthy amount of time

Starling Bank provides an actual bank account with full facilities (except physical branches) and FSCS protection, there's no reason for it to be 'locked' due to lack of use any more than other banks. I've had an account since they began several years ago and can highly recommend.