Minimal activity on my current account. Is this a problem?

AlexMac

I had a Halifax current account with only two quid odd in it for many years; from th early days of Ryanair who kept changing the type of  credit or debit card they nominated so the could claim to be fee-free (on one card only)

Once they asked me to confirm I was still alive or they'd close it down. 

I felt a bit of a fraud when Natwest (my oldest current account provider) offered 200 quid if I transferred another account to them. But I did it and happily trousered the two ton!

Kept the Halifax Clarity Credit Card, however, as it's gazillions better than other CCs fro overseas purchases.  

etienneg

"Kept the Halifax Clarity Credit Card, however, as it's gazillions better than other CCs fro overseas purchases."

Could you explain this statement, please? Maybe, for example, comparing it with the Barclaycard Rewards credit card?

masonic

etienneg said:

"Kept the Halifax Clarity Credit Card, however, as it's gazillions better than other CCs fro overseas purchases."

Could you explain this statement, please? Maybe, for example, comparing it with the Barclaycard Rewards credit card?

The Clarity card gives you the Mastercard exchange rate with no spread or fees. I'm not familiar with the Barclaycard Rewards card, but many would charge considerably more for a foreign currency spend.

MrFrugalFever

masonic said:

etienneg said:

"Kept the Halifax Clarity Credit Card, however, as it's gazillions better than other CCs fro overseas purchases."

Could you explain this statement, please? Maybe, for example, comparing it with the Barclaycard Rewards credit card?

The Clarity card gives you the Mastercard exchange rate with no spread or fees. I'm not familiar with the Barclaycard Rewards card, but many would charge considerably more for a foreign currency spend.

FX Fee free cards (in addition to Halifax Clarity & Barclaycard Rewards):

Zopa Visa Credit Card
118Money Mastercard Credit Card
NatWest Mastercard 'The Credit Card'

Chase Mastercard Debit Card
First Direct Mastercard Debit Card
Kroo Visa Debit Card
Starling Mastercard Debit Card
Monzo Mastercard Debit Card


It's also widely accepted that VISA is a touch better at live interchange rates than Mastercard.

masonic

Yes, I tend to favour the debit cards now, especially Chase for the cashback on top of a good exchange rate.