Credit card to use abroad

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Credit card to use abroad

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Marionb

Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Posts: 5267
Location: Mid-Wales

Posted: Thu Aug 01, 13 2:01 pm Post subject: Credit card to use abroad

Can anyone recommend a credit card I can use abroad that wont charge for cash advances and purchases?

I was going to get a Post Office card but when I went to the PO today for a member of staff to sign photocopies of my documents as "original seen" they said it would cost me ï¿½7.50

Because I'm not sure one of the documents will be sufficient to satisfy their rules and regulations, I was not prepared to pay that amount only to be told when I send the documents off that they dont meet their requirements, I refused and walked out in a huff

Just wondering if anyone on here can recommend something?

perlogalism

Joined: 27 Nov 2009
Posts: 440
Location: Near Welshpool

Posted: Thu Aug 01, 13 2:05 pm Post subject:
ASAIK, they all charge for cash advances. What has surprised me is that my Co=Operative Visa charged me "non-sterling transaction"fees for each of my recent purchases in the 'States. That's a new one

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4640
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Thu Aug 01, 13 2:37 pm Post subject:
Look at the MoneySavingExpert.com, they keep up to date with who is charging what, and I recall credit cards for holidays being a Big Thing. Off the top of my head it is (or at least was) a Nationwide one that came out best. Edit - would a debit card do? It would avoid the crazy cash-withdrawal fees?

perlogalism

Joined: 27 Nov 2009
Posts: 440
Location: Near Welshpool

Posted: Thu Aug 01, 13 2:50 pm Post subject:

NorthernMonkeyGirl wrote:

would a debit card do? It would avoid the crazy cash-withdrawal fees?

Again, I think they all charge. A couple of years ago I got a Travelex Cash Passport which allows you to load up a card in sterling and then draw on that in local currency with no transaction charges. What was hidden in the small print was that they charge 2% to load the card

lettucewoman

Joined: 26 Sep 2006
Posts: 7834
Location: Tiptoe in the Forest!!

Posted: Thu Aug 01, 13 2:54 pm Post subject:
You could take a preloaded card...weve done this twice and its great...good exchange rate and you can load more on whenever you like..Have a look at FairFX ..its a modern version of travellers cheques...its mastercard based so accepted most places No charges for using it and minimal charge for withdrawing money

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Thu Aug 01, 13 2:59 pm Post subject:
I use a FairFX card too.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Thu Aug 01, 13 3:16 pm Post subject:
They all charge, or you get a poorer exchange rate. MSE will suggest the best current one.

Marionb

Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Posts: 5267
Location: Mid-Wales

Posted: Thu Aug 01, 13 3:18 pm Post subject:
I've looked on MSE... best one is the Post Office one.. I will have a look at the FairFX thing... Thanks for all suggestions... keep them coming!!

mark

Joined: 14 Jul 2005
Posts: 2191
Location: Leeds

Posted: Thu Aug 01, 13 6:47 pm Post subject:
I use Halifax Clarity when abroad (credit card) https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money#halifax I pre-order cash usually from from Many debit cards have horrendous fees abroad (worse than credit cards)! For cash I pre-order on the internet (usually Travel-X) and collect at the airport on day of travel . Delivery to home is free - but I don't like waiting in to sign for it

Shan

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales

Posted: Thu Aug 01, 13 7:00 pm Post subject:
Caxton is another useful one.

bagpuss

Joined: 09 Dec 2004
Posts: 10507
Location: cambridge

Posted: Thu Aug 01, 13 9:04 pm Post subject:
I use the Halifax Clarity card, I don't think you get quite such a good rate but there are no loading fees and unless the machine charges you the cash advance apr is the same as the normal apr (currently 12.9% though it is charged from when you get the money rather than the end of the month) so I use it for all my abroad transactions where possible

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