Chase v Virgib, best exchange rate for using card abroad?

kuepper

I'll be on holiday (at last) next month and wondered how you find out which is best to use for cash withdrawals - I use Halifax Clarity for purchases - I have Virgin but now I have Chase as well.

V8MSE

Chase and Halifax clarity both use the mastercard rate, so both should offer identical exchange rates at a given time. Obviously chase gives you 1% back on top for most purchases. 

Not sure what rate virgin use but there was a mse article a few years ago which suggested the MC rate was slightly better than visa for most currency.

I'd suggest using chase for all spending and withdrawals. Will be at least as good as anything else. 

eDicky

If the Virgin card is Visa it will give you the Visa daily rate on the date of settlement, the MasterCards will give you that of MasterCard. The difference in rates is pretty insignificant.

kuepper

V8MSE said:

Chase and Halifax clarity both use the mastercard rate, so both should offer identical exchange rates at a given time. Obviously chase gives you 1% back on top for most purchases. 

Not sure what rate virgin use but there was a mse article a few years ago which suggested the MC rate was slightly better than visa for most currency.

I'd suggest using chase for all spending and withdrawals. Will be at least as good as anything else. 

when looking for what you mention I discovered a tool to compare all cards in this https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/. Chase has the edge over Virgin as it gives cashback on any purchases

ColdIron

If you are going to the USA Chase won't charge you for withdrawals if you use their ATMs

kuepper

ColdIron said:

If you are going to the USA Chase won't charge you for withdrawals if you use their ATMs

i'm going to Greece where their banks charge for using ATMs irrespective of whether your own bank does