Halifax Travel Ready

[Deleted User]

Had anyone used the 'Travel Ready' feature with Halifax? Pay £7 per week and avoid any additional fees when using your debit card abroad, is it as simple as that?

eDicky

It would be simpler to use the cards that already cost nothing for overseas use, saving £7...

Band7

For travel debit and credit cards, read this https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/

droberts26

I used Travel Smart which is identical for Lloyds current accounts last October, the 'smart' thing was I was never charged the £7 (think it had literally just been released) but as has been said above you are best using a card that doesn't charge in the first place. I worked out it saved me about £5 in total (if I had been charged)

jbrassy

Deleted_User said:

Had anyone used the 'Travel Ready' feature with Halifax? Pay £7 per week and avoid any additional fees when using your debit card abroad, is it as simple as that?

Or you could just get the Halifax Clarity credit card which costs nothing and doesn't charge fees abroad? Alternatively open a Chase or Starling bank account if you prefer a debit card.

jimjames

Deleted_User said:

Had anyone used the 'Travel Ready' feature with Halifax? Pay £7 per week and avoid any additional fees when using your debit card abroad, is it as simple as that?

What's the point of paying £7 per week so £364 a year for something that they and other banks offer for free? Struggling to see what benefit it will give.

Ballard

jimjames said:

Deleted_User said:

Had anyone used the 'Travel Ready' feature with Halifax? Pay £7 per week and avoid any additional fees when using your debit card abroad, is it as simple as that?

What's the point of paying £7 per week so £364 a year for something that they and other banks offer for free? Struggling to see what benefit it will give.

I’d assume that you’d only pay it in the weeks that it was used abroad. You’d still be better off with a fee-free card though, as has already been outlined. 

badger09

jbrassy said:

Deleted_User said:

Had anyone used the 'Travel Ready' feature with Halifax? Pay £7 per week and avoid any additional fees when using your debit card abroad, is it as simple as that?

Or you could just get the Halifax Clarity credit card which costs nothing and doesn't charge fees abroad? Alternatively open a Chase or Starling bank account if you prefer a debit card.

Or even better, one of each. Always good to have a back up should one be declined. 

pridehappy

Lloyds Banking Group are terrible for spending abroad - very expensive and random declines. It's better to open a current account with a provider offering fee-free spending abroad, like Chase, Virgin Money or Starling Bank. Some accounts with insurance, like Nationwide FlexPlus, give you travel insurance for £13 and free transactions abroad. 

Have you considered a Travel Money Card? One similar to the Post Office is great to use and often comes with better rates, although acts as a prepaid card instead of a current account so no credit check is needed (although some extra charges do apply so check carefully for which one suits you best, Chase allows you to open without a hard credit check).

If you want to be really safe, go for a credit card like Nationwide or Halifax Clarity for spending abroad as it provides extra protection on top of no fees (Virgin Money and Virgin Atlantic credit cards also provide fee free credit within Europe).

jiminrio

I’m going to Spain this week and am using this, will let you know. I’ve been told that where I’m going the bars only take cash, so no point in getting special cards

grumbler

jiminrio said:

... I’ve been told that where I’m going the bars only take cash, so no point in getting special cards

Why? Special cards are good for taking cash from ATMs as well as for purchases.