Travel/0% Trade-off

sjoh0961

Hi all. 

I have to pay my holiday fee in Euros. Last year I had a 0% spending card from HSBC. Worked ok, spread the cost, but cost me a fee of 2.99%. 

I do have a Halifax Clarity, which wouldn’t charge the fee (and maybe better exchange rate?), but wouldn’t allow me to spread the cost. Given that most 0% balance transfer cards charge a 2.5%-3% fee, is there a solution that saves the fee? This is probably worth around £150, so not massive beer, but seems an interesting conundrum. 

TIA for any suggestions!

Mark_d

When I'm travelling abroad the hotel cost is often Euros and might be roughly 200 Euros.  I always put in on my Halifax Clarity card and repay in full by direct debit.

As it's a holiday you're paying for, why not wait until you've saved up the money before spending it?  Whilst you could theoretically put the expense on Halifax and then do a 0% balance transfer, in my view it's not worth it.

Olinda99

the nationwide CC has zero fx fees and I believe 15 months at 0%

sjoh0961

Mark_d said:

When I'm travelling abroad the hotel cost is often Euros and might be roughly 200 Euros.  I always put in on my Halifax Clarity card and repay in full by direct debit.

As it's a holiday you're paying for, why not wait until you've saved up the money before spending it?  Whilst you could theoretically put the expense on Halifax and then do a 0% balance transfer, in my view it's not worth it.

Well, yes, I get that, but this is a big family holiday costing £5k+ so a bit more complicated. 

daivid

So you want no currency fee and to be able to spread the cost of repayment? The best solution I can think of is to pay with a top foreign spending option card (e.g. your clarity) then balance transfer the debt to a 0% no fee card allowing repayment to be spread and all at no additional cost. Currently Natwest group, virgin credit offer 0% no fee (santander may still). Check eligibility for these cards if one is available go for it, make payment, BT it away as soon as it shows on the clarity card.

eskbanker

A similar question was asked, and answered, on this recent thread:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6575451/credit-card-to-use-in-florida