Shrimpsvoices

Just phoned my Credit Card Company to let them know we are going abroad for 2 weeks as from Monday and may be using my card whilst there.

Interestingly the guy i spoke to said he wished more people would inform them as the number of calls they have to make to clients overseas to verify that it is them using their card is increasing day on day especially in the holiday season.

I've recently moved my current account to Starling Bank and found that there debit card works seamlessly abroad. Great phone app as well.

Credit card companies charge you fees for currency exchange, get yourself a Revolut card

Or Halifax Clarity credit card. It’s brilliant, used it for years abroad, no fees and exchange rate is very good, so easy. Never take cash abroad now. Used it all over Europe and many times in the US AND they tell you not to inform them you’re going abroad as no need too

As Marky said, Revolut. Or, Wise.

I use both. Transactions fees from one currency to another are much lower than banks or credit cards. Also, the app means you can lock the card if it gets lost, and, because you've pre-loaded it with money, in a worst case scenario, the amount that can be stolen is limited. They can be used in local ATM's without a fee. I generally use my Wise card more than my Revolut, but they are both good.

Enjoy your trip!

Some countries cash is king, and always will be. For me, its more a case of how I spend my money, rather than getting an extra 'icky' or two on the rate of exchange.

Tips are often important, how is it possible that your gratuity fslls into the person who deserves it if you pay by pre-loaded card?

Scouseport_Shrimp wrote:Some countries cash is king, and always will be. For me, its more a case of how I spend my money, rather than getting an extra 'icky' or two on the rate of exchange.

Tips are often important, how is it possible that your gratuity fslls into the person who deserves it if you pay by pre-loaded card?

As I said, "they can be used in local ATM's without a fee".

Plenty of cards are fee-free abroad and there's a few that could cost you plenty if you didn't check before you travel. We're with Nationwide, they don't need telling when we're abroad, fee-free, etc and we've used most of the other cards at times, like Revolut (licensed in the UK with restrictions because they're as good at providing the relevant authority with information as PW are )

With most cards, always pay in the local currency. Check your card provider but if it's fee free, it's also likely to use the Mastercard or Visa live exchange rate to convert it.

If you pay in GBP, the bank who are taking your money (the retailer's bank) will charge you for the transaction and process it at their own rate.

Scouseport_Shrimp wrote:Tips are often important, how is it possible that your gratuity fslls into the person who deserves it if you pay by pre-loaded card?

We always take local currency for tipping and card for most purchases, depends on what we're buying and where. Wouldn't use a card for a £3 coffee in a local cafe

redrobo wrote:Interestingly the guy i spoke to said he wished more people would inform them as the number of calls they have to make to clients overseas to verify that it is them using their card is increasing day on day especially in the holiday season.

Haven't called mine for a long time, not since they told me there's no need to because they track transactions outside the UK as they do inside the UK. Some cards also have location detection through the banking app on their phone so if your phone is in the UK and your card number is used abroad, they know it's fraud.

Keith wrote:

Scouseport_Shrimp wrote:Some countries cash is king, and always will be. For me, its more a case of how I spend my money, rather than getting an extra 'icky' or two on the rate of exchange.

Tips are often important, how is it possible that your gratuity fslls into the person who deserves it if you pay by pre-loaded card?

As I said, "they can be used in local ATM's without a fee".

Never use a stand-alone ATM abroad. Make sure the ATM is attached to an OPEN Bank Branch.

nobbyshrimp wrote:Or Halifax Clarity credit card. It’s brilliant, used it for years abroad, no fees and exchange rate is very good, so easy. Never take cash abroad now. Used it all over Europe and many times in the US AND they tell you not to inform them you’re going abroad as no need too

Another vote for the Halifax Clarity card, as per NobbyShrimp.

Got mine, as recommended by Martin Lewis MoneySavingExpert and have used it for many years now around Europe and USA.

No fees, good exchange rate.

Lost my Clarity card (dropped it on the ground) at the Statue of Liberty in NYC (D'oh!!) and phoned Halifax Bank from the hotel - great customer service, blocked card immendiately and issued replacement one. No bother at all, no money lost.

Highly recommended!