Card payments abroad
Discussion
Thought I would just comment on how I have got on with the Halifax clarity card in OZ and NZ.
The card is linked to an app on phone or iPad and almost instantly updates in the 'pending area' when you use it, I found this great to check spending and it keeps a tally. You really don't need any cash now in Oz and NZ, just about everything from a bag of crisps to car hire is by contactless or pay wave as they call it. You need a pin over $100. I think we could have got away with no cash at all but I took $300.
The exchange rate is fantastic (compared to Tesco CC) - it is just about the same rate as you find on XE.com.
Anyone else use this card? Anyone had any problems
The card is linked to an app on phone or iPad and almost instantly updates in the 'pending area' when you use it, I found this great to check spending and it keeps a tally. You really don't need any cash now in Oz and NZ, just about everything from a bag of crisps to car hire is by contactless or pay wave as they call it. You need a pin over $100. I think we could have got away with no cash at all but I took $300.
The exchange rate is fantastic (compared to Tesco CC) - it is just about the same rate as you find on XE.com.
Anyone else use this card? Anyone had any problems
Used to use it, but surpassed now by Revolut....for 6 months of the year i'm traveling and although the app sort things automatically into train, ressie, hotel, fuel etc. etc. and you can add a little note, you can also divide reporting into countries..so in Guangzhou and you fancy a cheeky night out in honkers you can sort that out-business and pleasure... you also get the real fx exchange rate.......trust me it's leagues above anything else. One little feature I like-you lose your card..no worries freeze it through app and unfreeze when you find it..or just order another..your also allowed two cards on one account, also a euro account, buy cryptocurrency....pay £7pm a month for enhanced services
and you get FREE travel insurance even if you buy your flights/hotels with another card (airmiles :-)
ps I don't work for them
and you get FREE travel insurance even if you buy your flights/hotels with another card (airmiles :-)
ps I don't work for them
Edited by tescorank on Friday 2nd March 07:19
ciege said:
Being very naive and lazy, I just use my regular cards??
Am I missing out on exchange rates and hidden costs etc.
Whenever I go abroad I just use the same things, including my phone.
A card geared up for foreign use tends to give you a better exchange rate and no commission on transactions.Am I missing out on exchange rates and hidden costs etc.
Whenever I go abroad I just use the same things, including my phone.
The Clarity card is free to have so I just keep it for holidays.
mikeiow said:
Monzo and Metro both good too...
Completely different product though.With those you get the Mastercard rate at the time of use.
With Revolut you get the inter-bank rate at the time you choose. i.e. before you travel if you feel the rate is strong.
Very different solutions.
I have a starling bank account to use abroad, haven't used it yet but it was recommended on MSE. It's not a prepaid card, more of an ordinary bank account with no foreign exchange charges and decent rates.
As you don't preload it with dollars etc. You can use it to spend any leftover money normally.
As you don't preload it with dollars etc. You can use it to spend any leftover money normally.
RicksAlfas said:
I haven’t linked (my Halifax Clarity card) to an app though. Might have a look at that.
Worth doing if you use the card for cash withdrawals because they don't have a credit period and interest starts being charged from the point you make the withdrawal. Of course if you have the Halifax and your current account banking apps on your phone you can jump on the Halifax one almost right away and see how much has been added in £, then use your current account app to transfer that much to the Halifax account and avoid the interest.bad company said:
smifffymoto said:
Revolut can also be "loaded" with dollars,sterling or euros.
So what is the advantage of using Revolut over a Clarity card or my Lloyds Amex? Those cards are just normal bank accounts with low international transaction fees.
Revolut is a charge card where you can hold a balance in 120 different currencies and swap between them free of charge.
Its an FX platform with a debit card attached essentially, which means you can fix a particular rate before or during travel not just a point of use...
Edited by DoubleSix on Friday 2nd March 11:37
Edited by DoubleSix on Friday 2nd March 11:48
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