Using Halifax Clarity card for cash abroad

Goodjob

If I preload my credit card with £500 and then take that money out over a two week period while using the card for other purchases will I incur any fees or interest on the withdrawals. The latest travel money articles don't seem to address this scenario. Note that the Card is only used for holidays so there will be no  outstanding balance at the start of the holiday. Thanks

[Deleted User]

You wouldn't, but you may have the account closed for pre-loading, so don't do it. Having your card blocked at home is annoying, having it blocked abroad it can be downright disastrous.

Just withdraw cash and either pay if off when you get home, or bit by bit if you need to save every penny.

Ebe_Scrooge

As above.  Deliberately putting a credit card account into credit is against the T&C's.  Depending on how rigorously they enforce their T&C's, you might get away with it - but they might equally block the account, which would be something of a pain to say the least.

It's probably not worth risking it for the small amount of interest it'll cost you on £500 for a couple of weeks.  You can get away with paying no interest, if you pay off the cash withdrawal as soon as it hits your account (which may not necessarily be the same day that you make the withdrawal).  And assuming you have access to a secure internet connection to be able to access your account online.  But really, for the small amount we're talking about, do you really want to be faffing around with internet banking when you're on holiday enjoying yourself?

Albermarle

Even easier is to just pay for everything on holiday with your credit card. Like in UK, most developed countries will accept credit card for almost anything, so you only need a modest amount of cash for some small items/tips etc 

elmer

I do this with my Halifax Clarity card and I called Halifax to check it was ok, I have just returned from Spain and there
were no charges for withdrawing money abroad, and I have been doing this now for several years.
 I only use the card abroad, not in this country.

NoodleDoodleMan

elmer said:

I do this with my Halifax Clarity card and I called Halifax to check it was ok, I have just returned from Spain and there
were no charges for withdrawing money abroad, and I have been doing this now for several years.
 I only use the card abroad, not in this country.

You'll incur interest immediately for a cash withdrawal abroad - best paid back soonest to reduce the charge to pennies.

Easily done with iPhone or iPad etc. using online banking.

The ATM will almost certainy charge a fee.

Albermarle

Not long back from Spain. Used clarity card to try to withdraw cash from ATM, but the ATM charge was €8, so cancelled it.
Tried a different one and that was €7.  This is not an issue with this credit card but a general problem.  

TOP_CAT

I used to put my Clarity card into credit every trip for years.
One year I left 1500 on the Clarity ie.in credit for 7-8 months until I got round to withdrawing it from a branch .

The better card or a better cash advance back up card is the barclaycard reward then you dont have cash advance charges .

As far as I know they have changed the Clarity card a few years ago possibly 2017/18 so that cash advances even if payed off online as you make them ......the cash advance amount will still be taken on the end of the months direct debit ?.
Im a little uncertain on the exact changes and details but the clarity isnt as good as it used to be regarding cash advances .
At one point the clarity cash advance interest rate was also much lower so over a two month trip I payed £1.50 in cash advance interest as I payed the transactions off as I made them .

Medi123

Also, not sure where you are going but keep in mind that a lot of places don't even take cash now, so you might need less than you expect. 

[Deleted User]

Medi123 said:

Also, not sure where you are going but keep in mind that a lot of places don't even take cash now, so you might need less than you expect. 

Unless the OP going to Sweden, I wouldn't expect lots of locations card only.
Have access to local currency or something like EUR/USD available.

Marchitiello

i would highly l recommend an Account like Chase UK and using their forex free , MasterCard almost perfect exchange rates, Debit Card for ATM, especially good in US.

However, as pointed out above, in some countries, it is common to charge non customer for using their ATM, which can rack up quite considerably, so I would always research the situation for each country. Some travels forums have detailed reports and thus you can identify the Bank charging the lowest ATM fee and thus only use them.  However, for Spain, those that qualify for the UK Santander Select, can use their debit card completely free at Santander’s ATM (no forex as well). Other Santander Accounts will also NOT incur an ATM fee but will not benefit for Forex free. This apply also in other countries where Santander operates, however it may be a limited presence (in the USA for example, only in few cities on the East Coast).