Credit card for Bulgaria

Sncjw

Hi all

We are due to go to. Bulgaria sunny Beach in about 6 weeks. Now I have had the clairty card in the past. I still have it but don't use it due to being oit of the 0 percent interest period. 

I am wondering what is best to take with me cash or credit card. Now we will be going for two weeks and going all inclusive
 So reallt spends be for gifts travel to wider areas of sunny beach and maybe the odd meal out and purchases for outselves

[Deleted User]

The Clarity card would be perfect as there's no Forex fees. If the interest is an issue, pay it off as you go.

Sncjw

What's forwx fees. 

See this will be my first holiday abroad without parents so be all new to me. They used to take cash. 

SorceryCode

Forex = Foreign Exchange

Sncjw

So how do i use it abroad then is it safe in sunny beach 

[Deleted User]

You use it the same way as you would use it in the UK.

cx6

When paying for things with the card, make sure the bill you in local currency and don't try to make you pay in pounds - their exchange rates will be awful.

Make sure every bill is stated in Bulgarian Lev - refuse to pay if they quote pounds.

400ixl

Always make sure you have an emergency way to pay as there is always a risk that a transaction can get denied or the card locked (with any card, not just Clarity). So try to make sure you have an emergency way to pay, be that a debit card (even if it does have fees), or you have local currency as well.

If you don't also have a fee free debit card, then something like a Starling account would give you one and you can just transfer the money you need into the account when you need it.

penners324

Barclaycard Rewards is another option.

You get a Starling current account for no forex debit card spending costs and no forex cash withdrawals

Marchitiello

I was in Bulgaria in November 21, and had with me both a Santander Zero Credit Card (similar to Clarity in functionality) but also a Chase UK Debit Card as it has the same fee free forex benefit and MasterCard perfect exchange rate as those credit card above, but in addition you earn 1% interest on most of your spending (we earn it on general shopping, dining and even the hotel). It is attached to a current account so you either need to have funds there all the time, or do as I do that I transfer via Fast Payment from my main UK current account, as and when I need it.