CREDIT CARD/TRAVEL CARDS

Silverthorne

I am going to Aus/NZ next year.  I have never had a credit card before but plan to take one for emergencies.   I will also take a separate card and have been told not to take my current debit card?
Does anyone have advice as to which credit card to take.  Can I have a temporary one linked
to my account - I have a strong fear of debt?  Should I take Revolut as the other card- i think that will work abroad. 
Any advice is very welcome. 
Wobble

400ixl

What bank is your debit card with? Many like Starling, Chase, Monzo do not charge fees for foreign use (you may get charged by an ATM if you get cash out though).

Personally I wouldn't touch Revolut with a barge pole. There are other pre-pay cards such as Caxton.

Halifax Clarity is a good travel credit card, if you look at https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/ there is plenty of info.

QrizB

I generally pay for my broadband by Direct Debit.

I imagine I would continue to pay by DD even if I visited the antipodes.

Are you sure you have posted this thread in the correct section?

jbrassy

Avoid Revolut. There are much better options available. 

In terms of a credit card, Barclaycard Rewards is the best currently available: https://www.barclaycard.co.uk/personal/credit-cards/barclaycard-rewards

It doesn't charge fees for overseas spending and pays 0.25% cashback. If you're worried about getting into debt, just pay for stuff you would normally pay for and set up a direct debit to pay off the balance in full every month. 

If you're looking for a debit card, Chase is the best currently available. It pays 1% cashback on spending and doesn't charge for ATM withdrawals. At least with a debit card you don't need to worry about debt as you can only spend what you have in the account.

PRAISETHESUN

When I travel to Aus I use my local AUD accounts, but I carry my UK credit card as backup (I've got a legacy 0% foreign use card from Nationwide). Good options shown here: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/

First Direct, Chase, Virgin Money, Kroo are all good debit cards for overseas spending. Halifax, Barclays both offer good credit cards for foreign spending as well. I'd avoid using your normal bank account as you'll get charged foreign usage fees and also get poor exchange rates.

Aus/NZ are pretty good for accepting cards basically everywhere, so there's minimal need for cash in my experience. Most ATMs will charge a fee to use them though, so factor this in if you do decide to withdraw any cash.

I also echo the comments above about Revolut - they have a bad reputation for customer service and I definitely wouldn't want to be relying on them if I was travelling overseas.

lr1277

Some thoughts.
Ensure you are on the electoral roll before applying for any credit card.
If you have never had a credit card, I don’t know how easy it will be for you to get one. This will depend on your credit file, your current income and expenditure. This especially applies to cards with free fx transactions. You may have to get any credit card and take the hit on the fx fees.
Firstly try the card offered by your own bank. If you happen to bank with Halifax or Barclays, they both have good travel cards.
Once you get a card, set it up to be paid in full by direct debit. Don’t put it in a drawer till you need it. Use it at least once a month, even on holiday. Then ensure the DD will pay it off in full.
In addition to the cards listed above, FD allow fee free fx transactions on their debit card.
Incase you are worried about theft on holiday, Amex will get certain cards to you at your holiday destination. But all Amex cards come with an fx fee. Though you need to investigate this more.
Edited to add I am not sure Amex will get a replacement card to you anywhere in the world. Amex offers Global Assist on some of its cards but I don’t know what that means. If this interests you, this needs to be investigated further.

daivid

If you don’t want a credit card there are good debit card options. The one stumbling block might be hotel reservations and car hire; they often ask for CC. The other thing to watch for is changes in terms, I'd get the cards now but keep an eye closer to the time. For CC Halifax clarity has been a top travel card for at least 13 years other travel cards come and go.

daveyjp

As a first time credit card holder you may be constrained by themoffers available and /or a low credit limit.  If so I suggest securing one card, using it frequently to get a credit record which may then open up options for increasing the limit.