Best Mastercard Credit Card for overseas use

QrizB

Reliant on the ATM to have power - and if you have power places can take card.

In my particular case, shops, cafés etc. didn't have power and were either closed or only taking cash but the ATM and whatever back-end server it was connected to both did - I'm guessing a UPS was involved.

badger09

In similar position to @jem16 looking for Mastercard replacement for Halifax credit card used when travelling. Have Barclaycard credit card as backup & Starling debit card.
Trying to simplify my affairs for Executors so won’t open accounts unless I already have something with that bank/BS. Halifax card has £7k credit limit and I was expecting to be offered much lower. RBS offered me £7k on soft search, then confirmed it. All very slick.

jem16

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81995336#Comment_81995336

I looked at simply adding either Chase or RBS credit cards to my existing accounts. In the end I chose the Virgin everyday Cashback card simply for the cashback. Yes it might well change to Visa at some point if it does get rebranded but I’ll deal with that then.

I did look at changing my Barclaycard to the Barclaycard Rewards card as well but seemed pointless as I have one of the old Barclaycard cashback cards which still gives a higher amount of cashback although not free for overseas use. So I use it as my main card at home and Clarity overseas. Was fine till Clarity changed to Visa.

badger09

I also have one of the older Barclaycards giving higher cashback & with a large credit limit as my main card. For some reason Ryanair😳 wouldn’t accept it recently so I used the Halifax. Not sure it was a Visa issue or just my card but it emphasised the usefulness of a Mastercard.

scoot65

When is the Halifax Clarity credit card moving Visa? Mine's currently MasterCard.

Looks like be in the position regarding Visa/MaterrCard

QrizB

When is the Halifax Clarity credit card moving Visa? Mine's currently MasterCard.

Mine changed in the last couple of months.

scoot65

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81997736#Comment_81997736

I've just done a quick Google and it seems that the migration to Visa is happening throughout 2026. Obviously I've missed the announcement…..

badger09

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81997740#Comment_81997740

I received a letter (yes an actual paper letter!) very recently, dated May 2026, informing me of the move to Visa. My account still shows Mastercard.

Card expires 09/26 so I was expecting it to migrate then. I will probably cancel it before then, once my new RBS Mastercard arrives.

jem16

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81997733#Comment_81997733

Mine changed over last month as did my son’s.

techno12

I got the message regarding this the other day, as my current card is due to expire in Aug.

The cheap ATMs in Japan (Seven Bank) don't charge a fee for Mastercard, but do for VISA, so I'll be looking for a new Mastercard as well.

The message said that the old card would work for 6 weeks after the new one arrives, so the timing might just work for me to get a load of cash out using the Mastercard at the start of my next trip. If not, well it's only £1 or so ATM fee.

Interestingly, some places in Japan don't take Mastercard, but do take VISA (One of the tourist buses was like this which completely tripped me up - it seemed to take Amex too but no Mastercard symbol and my Clarity failed. Not good when you have no other means to pay!).