Credit Card Recommendations for Traveling Overseas (2 Viewers)

[RWA]

Which credit cards or prepaid ones do you use when travelling abroad

Hyperjar. Zero costs for the card and for any FX. It's brilliant and you can share funds between family members. There are also loads of discounts on spending with various large retailers.

 

[JohnH17]

Used Halifax Clarity abroad for maybe 30 years now, no problems, as others have said - only thing I’d add is I always pay it off when I’m home rather than when the statement arrives to avoid interest charge.

 

[BryanW]

Currensea card highly recommended. Just returned from trip travelling through France, Holland, Germany, Denmark, Norway and Sweden it worked everywhere linked to your UK current account no fees and good exchange rate. You dont have to add funds so no risk if they go bust like Revolut which is not protected by the FSCA system. You get an email within minutes showing your purchase in local currency and in GBP which is deducted from your UK bank a few days later. And its Free

 

[Zigisla]

I use the Curve card - as recommended by Minxy some time ago, linked to our Tesco credit card and my Lloyds bank card.
This means all spending is on Tesco so we get full points as well but no overseas charges. It has a “don’t embarrass me” feature which means if for some reason the Tesco card didn’t work, it would use my bank card as a backup straight away.
Still have Revolut and Clarity, but not really used much. Only use Revolut as a savings account.

 

[Korova]

This year our Santander credit card did not work in many situations. Luckily we took some cash.

With Halifax Clarity card, 2 major petrol stations would not accept it on a 2500 mile road trip. Always have a back up card and euro 100 cash.

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[richard8]

Had for years and can’t fault Halifax clarity credit card, seems to work anywhere in Europe.

 

[The Wino]

We use Halifax clarity and chase cards. We take hardly any cash now and generally never get any out when were away.

 

[OldCodger]

Always used Halifax Clarity.............even before Martin Lewis recommended it.

Still do when I need a credit card (like car hire) but for every stuff I use wise

 

[Tony50]

We have what we call a" Holiday card" with not too much credit on it,in case we get scammed ,use it in UK and abroad when on holiday . Use MasterCard never bother about charges

 

[Graham n Karen]

Which credit cards or prepaid ones do you use when travelling abroad

Caxton pre-paid.

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[Kevin R]

Which credit cards or prepaid ones do you use when travelling abroad

I spend 12 months in Europe usually in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain and Portugal. I use cards all the time through ApplePay and so far my experiences are not negative. I use Visa attached to my German bank account.

 

[Mike Rivers]

As Lenny said at the start, Revolut loaded with local currency (usually Euros) and Halifax Clarity for fuel. I’ve only ever had one issue with Revolut when using it for fuel where it preauthorised my card then declined the transaction. The preauthorised amount took a couple of weeks to return to account as ‘available to spend’. For that reason alone I now use Clarity for fuel. FYI the initial ‘declined’ transaction with Revolut went through no issues with Clarity. We use Revolut for everything else, food shopping, restaurants, site fees and so on. The basic account (no subscription) allows you to draw out £200 cash per month which could be a limitation for some. I find these days I hardly ever use cash so for me anyway this wouldn’t be a problem. It is useful to carry some cash just in case the card machine isn’t working or to leave meal tips.

 

[Brains]

For those claiming they have "Free" foreign exchange.
There ain't no such thing!

No Bank or Company (possibly with the exception of those laundering drugs money) does FX for free.
FX costs money, they only person paying for it is the customer.
The 'free' cost is usually buried in the rate or a 'user fee'

 

[Dave and Jan]

For those claiming they have "Free" foreign exchange.
There ain't no such thing!

No Bank or Company (possibly with the exception of those laundering drugs money) does FX for free.
FX costs money, they only person paying for it is the customer.
The 'free' cost is usually buried in the rate or a 'user fee'

I beg to differ. As I pointed out in a previous post if you use mainstream banks, do the transaction in Euros and pay the balance off the same day it can be done. Just spent 8 weeks in Europe doing exactly that. There were a few machines where it wanted to charge me and I just declined the transaction. And we were getting €1.16-17 to the £. Banks rely on most people not paying it off and therefore accruing interest. Most but not all charge for the transaction. Get the right card.

 

[Serendipity2]

Which credit cards or prepaid ones do you use when travelling abroad

Halifax Clarity credit card. No charges on foreign currency transactions.

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[Serendipity2]

For those claiming they have "Free" foreign exchange.
There ain't no such thing!

No Bank or Company (possibly with the exception of those laundering drugs money) does FX for free.
FX costs money, they only person paying for it is the customer.
The 'free' cost is usually buried in the rate or a 'user fee'

Never paid for any foreign currency transactions in the 14 years of using my Halifax Clarity credit card.

 

[Brains]

I beg to differ. As I pointed out in a previous post if you use mainstream banks, do the transaction in Euros and pay the balance off the same day it can be done. Just spent 8 weeks in Europe doing exactly that. There were a few machines where it wanted to charge me and I just declined the transaction. And we were getting €1.16-17 to the £. Banks rely on most people not paying it off and therefore accruing interest. Most but not all charge for the transaction. Get the right card.

Someone, somewhere is paying.

Otherwise there would not 7,500,000,000,000 (7.5 trillion) business in the City of London converting one currency to another.

Ask two two people who made their fortune from trading FX.
Nigel Farage and Rishi Sunak !
(You can also guess who would lose money if the UK had switched to the €uro)

 

[Brains]

Never paid for any foreign currency transactions in the 14 years of using my Halifax Clarity credit card.

If you are not paying.
Who is picking up the bill ?

 

[Dave and Jan]

Someone, somewhere is paying.

Otherwise there would not 7,500,000,000,000 (7.5 trillion) business in the City of London converting one currency to another.

Ask two two people who made their fortune from trading FX.
Nigel Farage and Rishi Sunak !
(You can also guess who would lose money if the UK had switched to the €uro)

That’s not what you said. You intimated that you could not do FX without charges. Yes you can. You’ve also got to consider we didn’t just use it for currency, fuel, shopping, meals out etc. Despite the fact we didn’t have to pay any transaction fees the card issuer still makes money from each transaction. Despite it being issued by the Halifax it’s a Mastercard. They trade across the whole world. Did I also tell you that I use a different reward card at home and generally get between £10-15 per month back without any fees? I pay the card in full every month so as not to accrue any interest. Would you also argue that’s not possible? Yes someone is paying for it, as these companies are making £billions. But don’t say it can’t be done when it clearly can.

 

[CherylnMick]

This trip we have been using our Caxton prepaid card. We top it up when Caxton offer enhanced exchange rates. Had it accepted everywhere except a SuperU garage and that was because I didn’t have 200€ on it at the time. I can only think SuperU have been swindled at some time or another to make this demand. It worked well for us but should perhaps look at other options for the future.

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[Brains]

That’s not what you said. You intimated that you could not do FX without charges. Yes you can. You’ve also got to consider we didn’t just use it for currency, fuel, shopping, meals out etc. Despite the fact we didn’t have to pay any transaction fees the card issuer still makes money from each transaction. Despite it being issued by the Halifax it’s a Mastercard. They trade across the whole world. Did I also tell you that I use a different reward card at home and generally get between £10-15 per month back without any fees? I pay the card in full every month so as not to accrue any interest. Would you also argue that’s not possible? Yes someone is paying for it, as these companies are making £billions. But don’t say it can’t be done when it clearly can.

I'd still say you can not do FX without charges.
Someone, somewhere always has to pay.
And you can guarantee the payee will not be the bank!

 

[Dave and Jan]

I'd still say you can not do FX without charges.
Someone, somewhere always has to pay.
And you can guarantee the payee will not be the bank!

We’ll have to differ on your first point. There’s plenty of others following this post that will also differ with you. Used properly it’s possible to get FX without any fees or charges and at the full exchange rate. My last cash transaction was for €100. Cost me £85.23. Paid off the same day. No fees no interest. Work it out yourself.
In your second point yes you are right. It’s those that are encouraged to use these cards to get cash goods or services and then choose not to or can’t afford to pay it off. They get charged interest daily on any money they’ve drawn and well over 20% annually on outstanding balances. Many just make the minimum payment per month never actually reducing their debt? Why do you think the card companies make it so easy? They are relying on you using the card and not paying it off.
On your 3rd point the banks make billions off these cards despite everyone being able to use them without fees due to the above.

 

[JJ]

Revolut DOES NOT limit cash withdrawals from ATMs to £200 per month.

You can withdraw more if you want... the £200 per each month is free of fees... for over £200 they charge a fee... I can't tell you the fees because I never need to use that much cash.

JJ

 

[Brains]

Revolut DOES NOT limit cash withdrawals from ATMs to £200 per month.

You can withdraw more if you want... the £200 per each month is free of fees... for over £200 they charge a fee... I can't tell you the fees because I never need to use that much cash.

JJ

Many, but not all, of the rest have a limit of around £200-250 per DAY free of charge for ATM withdrawals.

As mentioned above, £200 in a month would not get you far in places that are more cash oritated, such as Germany.
Even 5 years ago I'd have said the majority of smaller German shops, restaurants, hotels etc did not take cards.
Now I'd say the majority of even the smaller place do take cards.

But even today, if you try to pay by card for a bier outside the rathaus, they will have to make a trip to the cashier to get the machine

 

[BrochMike]

I know original question was about credit card, but...

I'm just using my usual Nationwide debit card for everything in Europe - not seen any difference compared to home (bar one refusal at an aire).

No faff, no transfers, no limits, no fees, good Fx rate (and being the FlexPlus, I also have recovery, travel & phone insurance).

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[JJ]

Many, but not all, of the rest have a limit of around £200-250 per DAY free of charge for ATM withdrawals.

As mentioned above, £200 in a month would not get you far in places that are more cash oritated, such as Germany.
Even 5 years ago I'd have said the majority of smaller German shops, restaurants, hotels etc did not take cards.
Now I'd say the majority of eve

n the smaller place do take cards.

But even today, if you try to pay by card for a bier outside the rathaus, they will have to make a trip to the cashier to get the machine

Are you telling me that by using my Revolut card for all the years and years that I have, in all the different shops and restaurants that I have with no problems at all, I have been doing it wrong?

Rule One prevents me from further comment! ;-)


JJ

 

[Just smiffy]

The bank exchange rate this very moment is £1-€1.1828 I’d like to see anyone get this today, on revolt now you get €1.1802 that’s where the banks make money on your exchanges….

 

[Brains]

Are you telling me that by using my Revolut card for all the years and years that I have, in all the different shops and restaurants that I have with no problems at all, I have been doing it wrong?

Rule One prevents me from further comment! ;-)


JJ

As I said, it all depends on the location.
Big cities, cards are not a problem.
In rural areas the local restaurant, Bar, shop. It's simple. Many are 'Cash Only'

The same applies even to the UK.
Especially the seaside towns, it's amazing that there are still 'cash only' businesses today, when market traders have had card machines for years and now even the buskers, beggars and Scouts can take card payments on the street.

(Our local Scout group went cash free in 2016, no more weekly subs in the tobacco tin which is what we used to do when I were but a lad)

 

[VXman]

We’ll have to differ on your first point. There’s plenty of others following this post that will also differ with you. Used properly it’s possible to get FX without any fees or charges and at the full exchange rate. My last cash transaction was for €100. Cost me £85.23. Paid off the same day. No fees no interest. Work it out yourself.
In your second point yes you are right. It’s those that are encouraged to use these cards to get cash goods or services and then choose not to or can’t afford to pay it off. They get charged interest daily on any money they’ve drawn and well over 20% annually on outstanding balances. Many just make the minimum payment per month never actually reducing their debt? Why do you think the card companies make it so easy? They are relying on you using the card and not paying it off.
On your 3rd point the banks make billions off these cards despite everyone being able to use them without fees due to the above.

I think the point is that somewhere you will be paying for a foreign currency exchange. Yes you might not pay a fee, or any interest but there is an exchange rate. You mention a 'full exchange rate '. What even is that? The decent cards will will often say they will give you the MasterCard or Visa rate which is as good as it gets. But even then they will be taking a cut from the wholesale exchange rate which you will never get. So, yes you will pay for it. Everyone does.

BTW - take cash out if an ATM with Barclaycard rewards and there will be no interest as long as you pay it off by the payment date in the next statement - which could be 6 weeks away.

Personally I use Chase which has my money in it anyway - then it just comes out of my account converted immediately - no charges, MasterCard exchange rate and 1% cashback. No worries and effectively being paid to use it.

 

[Just smiffy]

I use chase, the rate is as good as any and I keep all my money in a chase booster rate account 5.1% and put it in the ordinary account instantly as and when required and just use the card and get 1% cashback, €50 cash will do me over 2 months…

Card for everything…

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