What card to use instead of Halifax Clarity?

[Kups]

We did get this card but correct me please if I am wrong that it is a low low limit for cash withdrawals and also that facility expires soon?

I've had a look at the details of my card o line and cannot find a cash withdrawal limit. I'm sure there will be one somewhere in the t&Cs. You'll need to search if you are concerned. I've withdrawn 100 euros a couple of times with no problems.

 

[125BEER]

Starling bank

Used Starling bank across France/Spain recently and only one issue.The bank reversed a pending pre payment transaction for fuel.
You do have to be careful of ATM costs for cash withdrawal but Starling do not charge.

 

[Wannabee]

Starling bank

I had to give up on Starling as they decline pay at pump transactions for 'security' reasons. Not much use if you can't spend your own money. I was also trying to get away from Halifax who I was with for many years too, whose customer service has decended into chaos. Now with Barclays Premier who have been fine thus far. At least we have a choice now, much more than in the past.

 

[robnchris]

Santander zero no longer available, we have one fortunately.

Not sure why you think this Carolyn we have both just received our new Santander Zero cards, unless it's only for new customers.

 

[RM_Marine]

Nationwide plus account and there credit card

Nil fees on withdrawals and purchases

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[DDJC]

Starling Bank. Had no trouble with paying for fuel or using in the Peage machines.
Note that you should have the Euro account, regardless of whether you have the sterling account. If not, then you are using it as a marginally advantaged debit card.

We have a Halifax Clarity Card for emergencies abroad. I am not scrapping this, despite being annoyed at being preached at by a service provider. I've concluded that it was probably some sanctimonious twerp with a keyboard, rather than being a corporate policy.

Got Nationwide Flex plus as well.

 

[Zigisla]

Have a look at Curve, it's a 'storage' account card, by that I mean you store details of your other cards with Curve and then use your Curve card for transactions that way you avoid any charges from the original card providers as the transactions are shown as UK ones. When abroad I use my Curve card with my Tesco credit card and another stored on my Curve account, this means I get Tesco points and no transaction fees ... I think I've explained it correctly!

Do you know what the exchange rate is when using Tesco for example? Is it as favorable as the clarity or higher?

 

[Minxy]

Do you know what the exchange rate is when using Tesco for example? Is it as favorable as the clarity or higher?

Tesco don't convert it, they just see it as £ as it goes via Curve, it's the Curve rate you need to look at.

Turn All Your Cards Into One International Travel Debit Card

Spending abroad with Curve means all your credit & debit cards are International Cards. Get great FX and cheap ATM withdrawals across all of your cards.

www.curve.com

 

[Mike Rivers]

Revolut (again). I like the idea of converting preloaded currency on the hoof.

 

[JB30]

We’ve used Halifax Clarity cards abroad for years, but not since 2018 due to illness and Covid, until May/June this year again. Haven’t had any contact from Halifax in the meantime, so could someone please explain what the ‘preaching’ is all about? I might then take a decision on another card.

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[Minxy]

We’ve used Halifax Clarity cards abroad for years, but not since 2018 due to illness and Covid, until May/June this year again. Haven’t had any contact from Halifax in the meantime, so could someone please explain what the ‘preaching’ is all about? I might then take a decision on another card.

Broken Link Removed

 

[chaser]

We’ve used Halifax Clarity cards abroad for years, but not since 2018 due to illness and Covid, until May/June this year again. Haven’t had any contact from Halifax in the meantime, so could someone please explain what the ‘preaching’ is all about? I might then take a decision on another card.

I have skipped through this thread and can't see what all the hoo ha is about, they can have the works of Shakespeare on their badge if they want, doesn't affect my card and as I have never set foot in a branch I can't see it making any difference.
I have always had excellent service with the credit card so won't be changing now.

 

[coopc]

Have a look at Curve, it's a 'storage' account card, by that I mean you store details of your other cards with Curve and then use your Curve card for transactions that way you avoid any charges from the original card providers as the transactions are shown as UK ones. When abroad I use my Curve card with my Tesco credit card and another stored on my Curve account, this means I get Tesco points and no transaction fees ... I think I've explained it correctly!

Curve charged me fees when I used in Spain a month or so ago. FX fees. I dumped the card and app straight away and gone back to Halifax, Metro. And just got Chase to use as the give interest and cash back

 

[Southdowners]

Hi, Thanks to everyone for their input...

I've used my Revolut card in the past to obtain currency but what I'm unsure of is whether they charge at, say, supermarkets, fuel stations, etc for each transaction. I remember falling into the trap of not checking when we first started travelling and got charged every time we went on a toll road... sometimes the toll was only slightly more than the fee!

Rather than taking out another card I'm tempted to stick with Revolut but I'm finding it hard to find precise information on the Revolut site as to what their policy is... perhaps it's me being dim... probably!

 

[catjuggler]

Another vote for Wise. Excellent exchange rates and I have used it in Europe, the USA and Canada. Works well and instant transfers.

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[JB30]

Broken Link Removed

Ah, I see. Oh dear……

 

[carolyn]

Not sure why you think this Carolyn we have both just received our new Santander Zero cards, unless it's only for new customers.

That’s good, I will tell my son, they had stopped last year when he looked , maybe it was just a temporary thing during Covid. Thankyou for that. Nick and I have had one for years.

They’ve also increased the interest rates on our current account a fraction today.

 

[Arnside037]

Another vote for Revolut . Used it to pay for the Aires, and withdrew ATM cash on last day for general needs ... ie cocktails in a bar. Look on it as a debit card to pay for your trip to keep within budget.

 

[CJS]

I prefer my banking transactions to be with an organisation which doesn’t feel the need to preach to me and exclude me if I don’t wish to conform to their view. They’re a bank not a guardian of my thoughts.

Anyway, I’m going to send my card back to them with a suitable covering letter and need to apply for another card to use whilst travelling. Can anyone recommend one please?

Try JaJa they took over the PostOffice card.

 

[Widge]

Another thing to note with Revolut, if you only have GBP on your card but pay for something in EUR, it will automatically exchange the correct amount with the same exchange rate as a large money exchange, even if it is only 3€ for a coffee.

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[Zigisla]

Tesco don't convert it, they just see it as £ as it goes via Curve, it's the Curve rate you need to look at.

Turn All Your Cards Into One International Travel Debit Card

Spending abroad with Curve means all your credit & debit cards are International Cards. Get great FX and cheap ATM withdrawals across all of your cards.

www.curve.com

Thanks for that. I’m not changing due to recent events; like chaser i don’t give two hoots about their policy as long as “I’m ok jack”. It would be nice to keep the Tesco rewards going as this is my primary card.
I’ve opened a basic curve account thanks, Minxy for that, and have it set up for my bank account and Tesco card. We’ll see in September if they were better than Halifax on exchange rate.

 

[chaser]

Thanks for that. I’m not changing due to recent events; like chaser i don’t give two hoots about their policy as long as “I’m ok jack”. It would be nice to keep the Tesco rewards going as this is my primary card.
I’ve opened a basic curve account thanks, Minxy for that, and have it set up for my bank account and Tesco card. We’ll see in September if they were better than Halifax on exchange rate.

Tesco credit card can't be beaten for anyone who uses the tunnel, we use ours for everything, you get points wherever you shop, all at no extra cost but when we go to Europe we use the Halifax card, as there is no costs which there are on the Tesco in Europe.
We probably use the Halifax card a month a year and zero any other time.

 

[DaveKerry]

Chase, been told no transaction fee when used abroad and 1% cash back, getting one for our trip mid to late sept.

It is 1% cashback with Chase but you have to transfer money from your 1.5% interest account, so you could lose out unless you transfer into the account first, then it's a bit of a faf.

 

[Stonemags76]

I was going to try curve, but got put off by having to pay for the card. I understood the cheapest option didn’t allow fee free in Europe? I was interested to keep using my Tesco card abroad, but don’t want to have to pay for that?

 

[Ballsy66]

Definitely Starling, no charges, good exchange rates and a great App that notifies you of any payments, transfers, etc. Used it all-over the world with no issues or complaints!

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[Zigisla]

I was going to try curve, but got put off by having to pay for the card. I understood the cheapest option didn’t allow fee free in Europe? I was interested to keep using my Tesco card abroad, but don’t want to have to pay for that?

A screen shot of basic plan. No monthly fee, but £4:99 for the card. Even revolute you have to pay for initial card. Worth it I think to keep your Tesco rewards going.

 

[Stonemags76]

I’ve applied, & will give it a go!

 

[dpsuk999]

I was going to try curve, but got put off by having to pay for the card. I understood the cheapest option didn’t allow fee free in Europe? I was interested to keep using my Tesco card abroad, but don’t want to have to pay for that?

I’m currently using Curve in Europe and not paying any fees at all. I got my Curve card a few months ago and also confirm that the exchange rate you get is at current market rates

 

[Trackman]

Somebody mentioned a Chase card t'other day as an option. I still have my Clarity card so may be interested in replies.

Got Chase accounts & cards recently & all seems good. They worked fine in France, pay 1% cashback on purchases in the first year, & are easily linked to a savings account paying 1.5%.

 

[Wonders]

We have too. We've also got a Nationwide CC and a Metrobank CC - no charges with any of them. We use a Metrobank debit card for cash withdrawals.
with metro bank when we were in France buy something with cc a text arrived a couple of seconds later with how much you spent in pounds.

Another vote for NMetro and Nationwide.
Beware when using atms as others have said they may charge you but must show this before completing transaction.
Use Google or other search to find out which banks don't charge at ATM for your card.
In our case Deutche bank.

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