Free USD credit card in UK

caldi9
caldi9 Posts: 210 Forumite
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in Credit cards
Hey,

looking for a free USD credit card, am based in the UK. Have an HSBC account - do they offer one with their currency account?

Does Fineco offer one with their multi-currency account?

Thanks

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  • dj1471
    dj1471 Posts: 1,968 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post Home Insurance Hacker!
    What are you actually trying to achieve? How do you plan to fund it?
  • bigadaj
    bigadaj Posts: 11,531 Forumite
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    caldi9 wrote: »
    Hey,

    looking for a free USD credit card, am based in the UK. Have an HSBC account - do they offer one with their currency account?

    Does Fineco offer one with their multi-currency account?

    Thanks

    Virtually all credit cards can be used in for for buying things with US dollars, so the main difference is in fees and charges.

    Depending on what you are trying to do then the new banks can be an option or something as simple as Halifax clarity, barclaycard travel car etc
  • caldi9
    caldi9 Posts: 210 Forumite
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    Have a USD account with HSBC. They do not issue USD credit cards. I want to pay bills etc with a USD credit card (no bank transfers accepted) funded with USD that I can transfer from my HSBC currency account.
  • dj1471
    dj1471 Posts: 1,968 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post Home Insurance Hacker!
    This question has been asked on here before but I don't recall there being any decent options. Revolut is a prepaid card that can be loaded in USD, however I expect that HSBC will charge you for USD transfers to top it up?

    Amex offer a fee-free USD chargecard but you have to have been an Amex cardholder for 6 months to be eligible.
  • caldi9
    caldi9 Posts: 210 Forumite
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    Got it - here it is: https://www.americanexpress.com/icc/cards/the-basic-international-currency-card.html

    Using the HSBC currency account to settle the above Amex.
  • eDicky
    eDicky Posts: 6,567 Forumite
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    caldi9 wrote: »
    Using the HSBC currency account to settle the above Amex.
    Unless you already have the dollars to put in that account, HSBC will take 3-4% of your money exchanging from pounds at their rates.

    Unless you prefer complicated and expensive ways of paying USD by card, sign up for Revolut, load your pounds, exchange to dollars at the interbank rate (weekdays), or simply let the conversion take place when you pay. If you are paying online or by phone you can use the virtual card provided immediately. The whole thing can be ready to use in minutes but it's best to study the FAQs and fair usage policy to see how it works.

    https://revolut.com

    Monzo or Loot prepaid are also simple fee-free solutions, you just need to await delivery of their plastic card.

    If you really want to use a credit card, take one of those recommended for travel in the​ MSE articles, converting to USD at the straight MasterCard or Visa rates without fees when used to pay. Aqua Reward will give you 0.5% cashback.
    Evolution, not revolution
  • caldi9
    caldi9 Posts: 210 Forumite
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    edited 12 November 2017 at 7:12PM
    eDicky wrote: »
    Unless you already have the dollars to put in that account, HSBC will take 3-4% of your money exchanging from pounds at their rates.

    Unless you prefer complicated and expensive ways of paying USD by card, sign up for Revolut, load your pounds, exchange to dollars at the interbank rate (weekdays), or simply let the conversion take place when you pay. If you are paying online or by phone you can use the virtual card provided immediately. The whole thing can be ready to use in minutes but it's best to study the FAQs and fair usage policy to see how it works.

    https://revolut.com

    Monzo or Loot prepaid are also simple fee-free solutions, you just need to await delivery of their plastic card.

    If you really want to use a credit card, take one of those recommended for travel in the​ MSE articles, converting to USD at the straight MasterCard or Visa rates without fees when used to pay. Aqua Reward will give you 0.5% cashback.

    What do you mean by "at the straight ... rates"?

    Is there a limit for Revolut? And how does Revolut differ from the Barclaycard Platinum travel card?
  • eDicky
    eDicky Posts: 6,567 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    caldi9 wrote: »
    What do you mean by "at the straight ... rates"?

    Is there a limit for Revolut? And how does Revolut differ from the Barclaycard Platinum travel card?
    The MasterCard or Visa rate, which are excellent, without any percentage fee or 'load' added by the card issuer.

    Revolut is prepaid, not a credit card or bank account (no FSCS protection). There are limits, which can be raised by providing verification of source of funds. See their FAQs for more info.
    Evolution, not revolution
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