Credit card questions?

[photosnob]

I have a halifax credit card which has zero fees to use abroad, and zero fees to withdraw cash on (although I have to pay interest on cash withdrawals). If I were to withdraw cash abroad, and use my online banking to pay it off immediately would I incur interest payments?

I'm asking because I'm going travelling for three months - so this could potentially save me carrying around a lot of cash, and at the same time not pay huge fees on my debit card.

Alternatively is there anyway to load money onto a credit card?

Thanks

Sam

[photosnob]

Thanks guys.

My original plan was to carry around 5 grand around with me in cash. Which isn't smart in SE asia.

I think I'll just take enough with me for the first couple of weeks and then withdraw some each time I need to and pay it off immediately on my phone. The interest rate is 17.9% so even if I do have to pay a days interest - it will be pennies.

If anyone has any practical tips on how to "preload" my card I'd appreciate it.

[photosnob]

Foliage said:

Cant you setup your accounts, so that your current account pays the full amount off your credit card each month automatically? or setup a standing order to pay a set amount each month onto your credit card.

Edited by Foliage on Friday 2nd October 14:33

I have done. All my cards go by direct debit, full amount.

But cash is charged daily. And I'm tight.

I'm happy to pay all my bills immediately. I don't need the free credit from the credit
Card.

What I want to know is if I pay on the day if I'll still pay interest.

[photosnob]

tim0409 said:

I have a Halifax Clarity card which I use for everything on holiday; when I withdraw cash abroad I transfer (that day) funds via faster payment (online banking) and I haven't been charged interest.

Fantastic mate. Really appreciate that. Will save me a lot of money on my trip.

[photosnob]

barryrs said:

I used my clarity last month in the U.S. and of the £2k I spent around £300 was in cash withdrawals. Having just checked my statement I have been charged the grand sum of £1.04.

But I'll be travelling for three months. And between me and my partner will be spending close to 10 grand. So there will be a lot more interest. And I'd rather pay nothing if I can avoid it.

[photosnob]

megapixels83 said:

Where are you traveling?

Starting in bangkok, then up north - spending around a week in Chang Mai going ziplining and then playing with elephants. Been to chang mai and seen the temples before, so am not bothered about that. Then heading ti Pai for a week. And then having a few more days dossing. Then flying back to bangkok, and flying straight to Han Oi. Going to spend a month going down Vietnam. Will take it easy and see what I want there. Then heading over to Cambodia. Want to see the war museum, and Ankor Wat. Apart from that chill. Spend a week or two doing this. Then back to thailand for a month. Going to spend xmas and new years and a lovely island and then just dive and enjoy life.

Oh and a friend of mine has asked me to come out to LA for a few weeks after. He lives/works there so it's free accommodation. So depending on budget I might be going there as well

Not the most adventurous trip but I'll enjoy myself.

Edited by photosnob on Saturday 3rd October 19:21

[photosnob]

Jockman said:

You jammy git !!!

Just off to Barbados tomorrow but we've booked Ko Samui for next March - it will be our first time in Thailand

Enjoy yourself.

Samui was my first Island I visited last time I went. Because of the airport. You will love it.

Without knowing your situation with kids/time there. If you havn't booked accommodation have a look at "The Loft" (http://www.theloftsamui.com/) . The website makes it looks like a young persons party zone. It's not. I guess they are just branding it like that to appeal to the gap year youngsters going over. Really decent room - with a lovely balcony, and an amazing double ensuite shower cost us about 800 baht a night. Which is about £15. The lady who owns it is really lovely - and is always happy to give out advice. Her boy (about 6) is also lovely and even offered to help me carry my bags down when we were checking out. When my partner fell of the bike she had rented out to them all the lady cared about was she was okay. Didn't even charge her for any damage to the bike. You would struggle to meet more lovely people, or get better chilled out accommodation on the island. We actually moved there from our 2000 baht a night hotel, when a couple we met showed us how good it was!

There is a small night type market just for food. It's a rectangle of food vendors with seats in the middle. It's amazing because you can all pick what you want if you have different tastes and then sit as a group. Be warned - the 100 baht cocktails they make are strong, but delicious. I had one and didn't feel comfortable riding back to the hotel. But the food was delicious - and I got the the best fruit shake of my life there for 50 baht.

Try and find the quite secluded beaches if you can. I'm not one for posing on the beach. But I found some literally breathtaking small beaches when I went searching. Also if you get the chance try and have a day or two in Koh Toa. If you dive then have a dive there - if you don't consider a course. I already dived - but diving there was amazing. And very very very cheap. Safety was good in my experience. I've actually got some video's of my diving and snorkelling on those islands - but I'd rather not post them on here. If you are interested let me know and I'll send you a link via PM.

Final note - one of my highlights of that trip was getting a bike (200 baht a day) and riding around the whole island at night. With stops it took about 4 hours. But I got to see things that you just wouldn't see if you did it in the day or drove. We stopped at a local market (we were the only white people), and found amazing food for just 20 baht. We were also treated to a thai rock and roll band playing for the thai's for free. It was amazing.

P.S - enjoy Barbados. I have heard it's amazing. I'm very jealous!