Credit Card Recommendations for Traveling Overseas

[MattWithMoho]

Chase all the way.... We did 90days in the EU Oct onwards last year & they give excellent exchange rates
We also have a FairFX "preload" card, as a back up, and because of the great rates.

 

[AandL]

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

 

[Bradders65]

Has anyone used the currensea card which is linked to your UK bank a/c so avoiding exchange rates etc.

Yes I used it on a couple of trips last year and will do again this year. I worked very well. FX Rates were good and got immediate notification of £ spent. Just remember it is a debit card not a credit card !

 

[GeeCee]

You can use a Santander debit card for free cash withdrawals in Spain and other places. See this from their website - *We won't charge you when you use your personal debit card to make withdrawals at Santander cash machines abroad. You'll find our cash machines in Spain, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and the USA. Make sure you choose to pay in the local currency to avoid being charged any other fees."

 

[Alan Atkin]

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

got stuck in germany last year had plenty of cash but the site at hamlen did not accept payment only by card via pay pal didnt have that either I

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

Sorry about abupt end to last reply We have HSBC internal card you just load it up and use it like another card it has been accepted every where we have traveled if you do online banking its great

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[Cotters]

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

We use our Revolut card for most things, we have others as backup (First Direct, Starling, Lloyds).
The Revolut app is very good, the card is excellent for getting cash if you need from an ATM

 

[Tonks]

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

I've always notified them before travel, and not had an issue using my Santander cards abroad. I think they say you don't need to do this now, but I'm not sure I believe them!
I also always take a Lloyds card too, and try to have Visa and Mastercard options as it seems some places prefer one over the other.

 

[Krumpli]

I am surprised and worried that nobody mentioned Caxton preload card. I've been using it for several years with no problem and the rate has always been acceptable.
A word of caution for taking cash (Euros) from an ATM. We are so accustomed to the message "Take your card" and then the cash pops out. At one particular bank in Greece the first message was "Take your cash". I did this ansd while trying to put the cash in a wallet and then put the wallet away the card popped out and within a few seconds popped back in. I had to abandon the card and ordered another one from Caxton which they sent to a friends UK address and they posted the card to me in Greece.

 

[treblid]

I am surprised and worried that nobody mentioned Caxton preload card

Caxton may not have any obvious charges but the exchange rate is not very good. They get there money that way with a stealth percentage on each transaction. Many other banks and card providers do this too so you need to check the exchange rate your card offers Vs the actual market rate.

We use Halifax Clarity for most transactions and Starling for getting cash from cash machine. They both use the pure Visa or MasterCard exchange rate on the day of the transaction with no additional charges.

 

[Minxy]

I don't think anyone has mentioned Curve. It is an intermediary card in that you link your other cards to it, the transactions go through Curve then to your debit/credit card provider. It means that we can use our UK only cards whilst abroad (ie ones that make charges if used abroad directly) as they are charged via Curve in the UK so they think they are UK spends. There are various levels of card from free to costlier ones but with more benefits if you need them. We just use the free version which works well for us.

One advantage for us is that we have some 0% credit cards so can spend time on them via Curve and don't have to pay the balance off for a long time.

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[Toskana75]

Currensea card linked to your bank account and gives you the full FX rate

 

[AlanandMayya]

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

We have Nationwide debit cards and a Euro account with a Dutch bank. I try to use the latter in France / Spain, to avoid currency exchange fees. Sometimes it wont work (Maestro system) while the Nationwide in £ does (Visa system). Vey annoying! Happens especially at tolls and unmanned fuel stations.

 

[Fiddler]

Don't they charge you on the exchange rate they give you?

Sorry for the delay in responding. No charges at all, you get the Visa/Mastercard rate as you would with any transaction. Other cards mentioned do have the same deal.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Mrs CC has her credit card for emergency, unfortunately not allowed to look at thatbut I just use my Revolut for everything

 

[philann]

We use Barclaycard Rewards card, no foreign transaction fees, interbank exchange rate, cashback and no interest if paid in full at the end of the month, even for cash withdrawals.

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[jeddy]

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/

Well worth a read. Everything you need to know.

 

[jeddy]

I've used Halifax Clarity for years but now other equally good options are around. My bank, First Direct, removed all charges for using your debit card abroad last year so now tend to use that. Still use Clarity for fuel just to keep it functioning. Payed off by DD each month.
On Martin Lewis's site you can check your own card for hidden charges etc....

 

[Sue and Rick]

Is there any on the cards you can use for fuel that the French dont extra charge you extra (like a deposit) on top of the fuel cost? Then give it you back days later.
I hope you understand the question haha.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Is there any on the cards you can use for fuel that the French dont extra charge you extra (like a deposit) on top of the fuel cost? Then give it you back days later.
I hope you understand the question haha.

I think it depends on the fuel station rather than the card. I only had it happen once that it was days. Other times, if it happened, it was refunded once payment for fuel made.

 

[Sue and Rick]

I think it depends on the fuel station rather than the card. I only had it happen once that it was days. Other times, if it happened, it was refunded once payment for fuel made.

Thank you. We had it happen, just wondered if there was a way to avoid it.

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[JockandRita]

Thank you. We had it happen, just wondered if there was a way to avoid it.

Unfortunately not, and if using a debit card or one of those top up cards, one needs to be sure there are enough funds in their account, to cover the transaction. With a credit card, that's not such a worry................until the bill needs paying.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[VXman]

Is there any on the cards you can use for fuel that the French dont extra charge you extra (like a deposit) on top of the fuel cost? Then give it you back days later.
I hope you understand the question haha.

It's pretty standard practice abroad and in the UK now to check you have funds in your account before they let you take fuel.

I haven't found any debits on my card other than that of the fuel purchased though. I used mine in France this morning for fuel and it did a pre check to their set amount (€120 ? Not sure) but after the purchase all that was shown was the actual amount paid. I've certainly never had debits staying for days.

I use a Chase card which is just a current account debit card with good foreign rates and no charges. All you need to do is make sure you have money in the account before you use it.

 

[OldCodger]

At the French supermarkets this year I got the “refund” almost immediately. Usually they only place a “hold” on the money - not an actual withdrawal. Yes you can’t spend it until the true amount comes through but they haven’t actually taken any money. Think of it more like a temporary reduction in credit limit!

 

[Pechris]

Has anyone used the currensea card which is linked to your UK bank a/c so avoiding exchange rates etc.

Hi, yes we use it every time we travel abroad. It's brill. Cheaper than "normal"cards and you get a text confirming the cost of each payment in pounds.

 

[Apacheman]

Just had 8 weeks travelling France and Spain. Used Halifax Clarity Card for everything including drawing Euros from ATMs. If drawing money always paid the card off in full the same day. Used ATMs at main banks, transactions always in Euros not converted to £s, no fees. By paying off any amounts in full on the day when drawing cash, no interest. If you don’t pay it off they do charge you daily interest on the cash amount until paid. You also get the full exchange rate. Sure there are other cards out there that do the same.

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[Bradders65]

Has anyone used the currensea card which is linked to your UK bank a/c so avoiding exchange rates etc.

I have used a Currensea card for last 3 trips to France and find it excellent. I know within seconds exactly what the sterling cost of any transaction is and the rates always seem very good. I link it to my holiday current account and don’t have to worry about monthly payment dates and interest penalties if date is missed. I have had no problems with it being accepted unlike a previous pre-loaded card which I found would not be accepted at unmanned fuel stations.

 

[Maryg]

Has anyone used the currensea card which is linked to your UK bank a/c so avoiding exchange rates etc.

We use HSBC Global. Free to use and east to top up while away.

 

[Stixdrive]

Which credit cards or prepaid ones do you use when

 

[Stixdrive]

Has anyone used the currensea card which is linked to your UK bank a/c so avoiding exchange rates etc.

Very good card just used for the first time on a two week motorcycle trip, the card worked every where. Croatia Slovenia Italy Austria Germany France Netherlands Belgium Luxembourg. Instant debit from your linked current account.

 

[Tony the Manc']

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

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