Travel credit card

Maxi88

Hi travelling to Vegas for first time and been advised to get a travel credit card. I have not had a credit card for a number of years now but looking on Martin Lewis site it seemed to come up with Barclays Visa Rewards card, does anyone know if this is a good card to take ? Thank you 

TadleyBaggie

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

daveyjp

One issue with application for a new credit card if you haven't had one for years is the level of credit which may be offered.  It may be as little as £500.

Both me and my wife have Rewards cards which were for a US trip last year.  My limit is 5 times higher than my wife's as I have a far more comprehensive credit card spend history,

I would also not rely on just one card.  We have two cards for overseas spend including Barclaycard Rewards and also a Starling bank account debit card.

 We found some US outlets in the dark ages when it came to using a credit card.  Here its phone out, contactless payment to wireless terminal and leave. 

There we often had to go to the actual till, we sometimes needed the card and PIN and on a number of occasions had to sign on the payment terminal.

Ganga

The Halifax Clarity card is great for spending abroad as they give you the best conversion rate and also fee free ,the Santander Zero card is the same i think.

jbrassy

I personally have the Barclaycard Rewards CC which I use on holiday and I've had no issues. I think the difference between that and the Halifax Clarity is minimal, although I chose the Barclaycard due to the cashback. I avoid ATM withdrawals using credit cards (due to impact on credit history) and would recommend Starling or Chase debit cards if you want to withdraw cash abroad. 

Marchitiello

Once again (as per my similar posts) if you are travelling to the US mainland, you should seriously consider opening an account with Chase UK as their debit card will be forex fee free but also allow you to use the extensive Chase US ATM network for free (US ATM operators charge usage fee for non customers), plus you get 1% cashback on most spend . My recommendation is that you also have a credit card with you for checking in at hotels and/or collecting car rentals but then swap to the Chase DC to settle the bill. 

Andy7856

Maxi88 said:

Hi travelling to Vegas for first time and been advised to get a travel credit card. I have not had a credit card for a number of years now but looking on Martin Lewis site it seemed to come up with Barclays Visa Rewards card, does anyone know if this is a good card to take ? Thank you 

Absolutely!

I have one as well as a Clarity Card and recommend either.  I tend to use my Rewards cards however to get the interest free cash withdrawals.  

NoodleDoodleMan

Ganga said:

The Halifax Clarity card is great for spending abroad as they give you the best conversion rate and also fee free ,the Santander Zero card is the same i think.

No longer available to new applicants - existing holders can still use them though.

As above not much between Halifax Clarity and Barclaycard Rewards for foreign travel - and Chase debit card is a good choice - especially if you can find a Chase ATM in the USA -  a few around Las Vegas.

https://locator.chase.com/nv/las-vegas

MrFrugalFever

I use Zopa CC and BA prepaid Mastercard as backup (providing you exchange money in app before purchase and it only applies to USD and EU transactions)

Brie

we have a Santander zero card but I don't think they are available anymore to new customers.  But we got it and kept it due to no transaction fees.  it's also a card that will allow you to put a credit on it so I can put say £200 on it and then take out euros from an ATM when I arrive across the channel.  easier than getting money from a exchange and good rates too.  And then I can start spending happily know that I won't be charged interest on the cash withdrawal.  

But as others have said always have a second card just in case.  (theft, whatever) So we take our normal use CC (M&S) knowing we are unlikely to use it but can if we get caught out.  Likewise our RBS debit card.  

A low limit may not be a problem if you have good internet access where you end up and can transfer some money onto the card as you spend.  Or you might want to set that up in advance if you know how much you might be spending per day.  (so set it up to transfer £100 a day or whatever)

NoodleDoodleMan

"it's also a card that will allow you to put a credit on it so I can put say £200 on it and then take out euros from an ATM when I arrive across the channel."

In theory, preloading a credit card in this way breaches the terms and conditions of the account - practice appears to be another matter, by the sound of it.