Halifax Travel Ready

jbrassy

jiminrio said:

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

Starling and Chase let you withdraw cash for free from ATMs abroad. You may as well get one of those. 

Also, I would ignore the suggestion above to get the Post Office travel money card. The rates will not be as good as Starling and Chase. Further, you can only spend in 22 currencies with the PO card whereas you can spend in any currency with Chase and Starling.

mr._prude

Previously while aboard, I would have used the Halifax clarity card for a cash withdrawal.

i.e Withdraw 500 euros wait for it to come on credit card the next day and pay it off.

MSE site is now stating that the Halifax clarity card charges interest even if the balance is cleared, "19.94% - 27.94% (even if repaid in full)"

Does anyone know what that means? 

Are you charged a month’s interest?

jbrassy

mr._prude said:

Previously while aboard, I would have used the Halifax clarity card for a cash withdrawal.

i.e Withdraw 500 euros wait for it to come on credit card the next day and pay it off.

MSE site is now stating that the Halifax clarity card charges interest even if the balance is cleared, "19.94% - 27.94% (even if repaid in full)"

Does anyone know what that means? 

Are you charged a month’s interest?

Halifax Clarity has always charged interest on ATM withdrawals (even if repaid in full). In fact, all credit cards do except Barclaycard Rewards. Presuming you paid your balance in full, you would be charged interest on the amount you withdrew based upon the number of days between the cash withdrawal and your statement date.

It's always better to withdraw cash on a debit card which does not charge fees. There are plenty available: Starling, Chase, Kroo, First Direct, Virgin Money. Doing this also has no impact on your credit file (unlike withdrawing cash using a credit card).

jimjames

If you want to spend abroad surely from an MSE point of view it's better to get a card that doesn't cost and doesn't charge fees like Virgin, Halifax, Natwest, Santander etc. Paying £7 to get a free service elsewhere doesn't seem good value.

jbrassy

jimjames said:

If you want to spend abroad surely from an MSE point of view it's better to get a card that doesn't cost and doesn't charge fees like Virgin, Halifax, Natwest, Santander etc. Paying £7 to get a free service elsewhere doesn't seem good value.

Virgin doesn't charge fees for overseas spending on its debit card and you don't need to pay £7 for it