Credit card use in EU (1 Viewer)

[VXman]

We changed to the Rewards card when Halifax Clarity Card started charging interest even when you paid off in full each month. Barclaycard Rewards has been Martin Lewis's recommended card for use outside the UK for some time now.

I did use Barclaycard rewards card before I got the Chase card. I must admit I didn't realise about the interest free cash at the time.

Still, I rarely use ATM's abroad nowadays. Most places take card and finding an ATM that doesn't charge a fee is difficult.

 

[ChrisL]

If you do online banking and have no outstanding debt on your credit card there's nothing to stop you transferring funds to your credit card the same day that you extracted the cash, thereby not having to pay interest, as far as I'm aware.

 

[nicholsong]

We just carry cash - saves looking for a bank and parking for the MH.

KISS.

 

[scotjimland]

Will stick with my Revolut does all I need and no sneaky charges

likewise ..

and we only carry a small amount of cash, couple of hundred €, which rarely gets used..

 

[JockandRita]

Another here for the Metro Bank Debit Card for cash abroad, and the Nationwide Credit Card for all purchases, including site fees, fuel, and the very few tolls that we choose to encounter.

The exchange rates are the best on the day, from the UK financial authorities.

TBH, I genuinely can't be faffing around with loading up currency cards, then finding out that unmanned filling stations won't accept them, so then reverting to a recognised payment method.

Been doing it that way for donkeys years, and never faltered yet.

Cheers

Jock.

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[cyberyacht]

At the current rate of usage, by the time I've used my stash of Euros I'll be too decrepit to travel abroad.

 

[flyfaster]

Nationwide.
Credit card for purchases
Debit card for cash
No commission charges and exchange rates on the day.
Oh and if a plus account for £13pm EU breakdown cover (upto 8m) and world wide travel insurance.

Absolutley crap savings rates

Ditto.
This works well for me too.

 

[Bolti]

Where I live in Spain, I use ones in shopping centres.
'Cashzone '(euro6000).
ATM Cajero(ing) are 2 that I use that have no charges for withdrawing euros from either my Revolut or N26 accounts.

OH needed some cash, so because we had switched our direct debits to our starling euro account wanted to reduce the balance on our Spanish bank account. Used the machine at Carrefour, it wanted 60 cents just to show the balance. Popped in the English Santander card for a free withdrawal.
It's not just foreigners who are penalized.

 

[Widge]

Are you sure? - surely all credit cards charge interest on cash advances (inc ATM withdrawals) from the day you take the advance, unlike debit cards.

That would normaly be true, but maybe they make an exception if you are withdrawing in a currency other than your own.

I understand that when credit cards first came out cash withdrawals were the same as if you bought stuff, until some people realised that if they applied for every card they could, on the first day of the credit period withdraw the maximum on every card, invested it for a month in a high interest investment, they could make quite a bit of money and still pay the full amount back by the end of the month, after that the CC companies started charging immediately for cash withdrawals

 

[Parrot Face]

Will stick with my Revolut does all I need and no sneaky charges

M too.

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[The Wino]

As others have said we use so little cash now that it lasts for ages. The bit we might need to top up wouldn't be enough to go through the hassle of getting a different credit card.

 

[FrankNicklin]

I've a current card from HSBC, can load with whatever currency you want, no fees, but the ATM will charge. Used in Germany and cost 4.50 euro to withdraw any amount.

 

[Barti Ddu]

I've a current card from HSBC, can load with whatever currency you want, no fees, but the ATM will charge. Used in Germany and cost 4.50 euro to withdraw any amount.

Fee-free ATMs are available in Germany. VolksBank is our ATM of choice.

 

[Larby]

We changed to the Rewards card when Halifax Clarity Card started charging interest even when you paid off in full each month.

I use Halifax Clarity card abroad. Set to clear full balance off the statement. I don’t get charged interest. Statement does suggest estimated interest if not paid in full.
I use Caxton at La Poste ATM in France, no usage fee. Unlike €4 at Credit Agricole.

 

[Kups]

I use Halifax Clarity card abroad. Set to clear full balance off the statement. I don’t get charged interest. Statement does suggest estimated interest if not paid in full.
I use Caxton at La Poste ATM in France, no usage fee. Unlike €4 at Credit Agricole.

The difference is the interest charged on cash withdrawals by Halifax up to when you pay off the monthly balance. This is Martin Lewis's comment from his website.
"If you want a credit card, the Halifax Clarity Mastercard is a decent alternative to the Barclaycard above. The main difference with this card is that you're charged 23.94% to 28.94% interest on ATM withdrawals, even if repaid in full. So it's best for spending on, rather than withdrawing cash. Halifax has asked us to link only to our eligibility calculator – as it doesn't have this card available to apply for directly"

This is his advice on the Rewards card. Note that you get a small cashback which you don't get with Halifax. "Every little helps"

Barclaycard is our top-pick credit card as it offers interest-free withdrawals, plus gives an ongoing 0.25% cashback. You also get Section 75 protection if you buy something costing more than £100 on it, which is stronger protection than the debit cards give.

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[TheDenOnWheels]

Halifax clarity no commission Euro rate 1.165 (Friday) very close to Revolut 1.166 (today)and you get a month of interest to pay it of, plus purchase protection.

 

[offagen]

I have Santander Zero account, so no commissions anywhere in the world, but in Spain I have to generally seek out a Santander Bank if I don’t want charges. I still get the bank exchange rate on the day just have to pay for it, up to 5€ at some banks.

We too have a Santander Zero credit card which we used to withdraw cash at a Santander ATM in Spain to pay for some emergency repairs. Sure, there were no 'charges' but the exchange rate they used was appalling, far below the market rate. That left a bitter taste.

 

[Bolti]

We too have a Santander Zero credit card which we used to withdraw cash at a Santander ATM in Spain to pay for some emergency repairs. Sure, there were no 'charges' but the exchange rate they used was appalling, far below the market rate. That left a bitter taste.

For cash withdrawals you should use your zero account debit card. No charges.