Taking a CC abroad to Florida this summer...

RedfordML

I chosen the Barclay CC zero fees when used abroad card, but just wondered, as I only have 2k initial limit, if I "pay off" 2k onto the CC balance before leaving, I will be able to spend £4k once in the USA without fees? 

First time abroad,  so the above might seem very obvious. I am also thinking £500 into dollars, cash for everyday use and tips etc. This is for a 17 day stay in Florida. 

Thanks 

TadleyBaggie

Preloading, i.e. deliberately putting a credit card into credit, is usually against the T&C's. 

Why not spend say £1500, then make a manual payment of £1500 while you are out there.

This is why prefer using a Starling debit card, I just transfer the spending money to my Starling account before I leave.

RedfordML

Thanks - didn't even consider simply making a payment once out there. Sorry ignore my OP. 

jbrassy

I would check your balance every couple of days and just pay it off as you go using a debit card. If you manage the card appropriately, you should see your balance increase over time. I have a BC Rewards which started with a low limit, but after 3 years the limit is now £11k which is more than enough.

When it comes to getting cash, my advice would be to get a Chase bank account. Chase does not charge fees for overseas ATM withdrawals but apparently a lot of banks in the US charge fees for using their ATMs. However, if you use the Chase card in a Chase ATM, the ATM and the card will not charge any fees so this is probably your best bet. 

jbrassy

TadleyBaggie said:

This is why prefer using a Starling debit card, I just transfer the spending money to my Starling account before I leave.

Starling is a good card and I have one myself. However, I still think it's worth taking a credit card alongside it in case you buy anything above £100 in which case you get S75 protection. Further, if you rent a car, you need a CC. For this, BC Rewards is the best card available.

lr1277

This is a question out of curiosity. Does the Barclaycard app show pending transactions as well as confirmed transactions?
If it does show pending transaction, then don’t pay them off. Wait till a transaction is confirmed before paying it off.

daveyjp

The app shows pending transactions almost immediately.

MrFrugalFever

In my experience a Bank Transfer in to the Barclaycard CC account will invariably show up in a matter of hours (particularly on weekdays) and then you'll be able to start spending that amount again, irrespective of if it is a pending payment.

I am going to Las Vegas in August and have armed myself with 1 x Visa DEBIT card (Kroo Current Account) with FX Fee Free, 1 x Visa CREDIT card (FX Fee Free) and 1 x Mastercard CREDIT card (FX Fee Free). I am acutely aware of the US 'Resort fee's', 'Damage Waivers', 'Security Deposits' and all the other nonsense they charge when out there so I have the option of spreading some cost across if necessary and also if one CC/Debit card got blocked i've got FX fee free backup