Clarity Card v Wise for Japan trip

united4ever

Have a clarity card, a friend suggested travel wise. Is it worth applying for one of these over the Clarity card.

Japan is very much a cash society so must work at ATMs. Even had the clarity card rejected by the machine in a restaurant in Japan before which was strange. It seems not geared up to foreign bank cards.

Anyway, is the wise card worth it. Will probably be spending about 5k on the trip.

Green_hopeful

Don’t know the answer to your question but I remember Seven 11 shop ATMs worked better than any others. I have not been since 2020 though. 

eDicky

It's not a matter of one or the other, take both and use both, plus any others that are free to apply for and use overseas, Chase UK, Starling etc. Don't restrict yourself to one source of funds and cash withdrawals.

Westin

eDicky said:

It's not a matter of one or the other, take both and use both, plus any others that are free to apply for and use overseas, Chase UK, Starling etc. Don't restrict yourself to one source of funds and cash withdrawals.

I would agree with eDicky. Take a few cards so that you have backups in case one doesn’t work.

For my overseas travels I tend to use Halifax Clarity, Wise and Starling. If in Europe I also add my Virgin Atlantic Mastercard to the travel set.

Doshwaster

Yes, always wise to have multiple cards and don't keep them all in the same place in case of loss/theft.  

My basic travel set is Starling (debit), Clarity (credit) and HSBC Global (debit) but will typically have a couple more hidden away in my luggage for emergencies. I also leave my usual UK cards (HSBC debit, Tesco credit) at home as they both have fees for using abroad and saves the risk of losing them.