Which card

[WoodysTravels]

Hi what debit card wld you suggest we use for our 3 month trip france and spain. I have nationwide flex plus but want to use a separate card not my usual bank card, just want to keep money separate.Thanks

 

[ivorantony]

Revolut,

 

[DDJC]

Looked at Revolut, but Starling seemed to be more us.

 

[Lenny HB]

We use a combination of Revolut, Halifax CC & Metro Bank DC exchange rates the same on all.

 

[Gaston aires]

Revolut for us. Tesco Clubcard/credit card for fuel.
Phil

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Verteuil Man]

We use a Flex Plus credit card. We have a French bank account with CA so use that if a debit is needed.

 

[Lenny HB]

Tesco Clubcard/credit card for fuel.

Terrible exchange rate, I use Halifax Clarity for fuel.

 

[Phill D]

Revolut backed up if required by capital one .

 

[cmcardle75]

I use Wise for travelling Europe. Similar to Revolut, but there are detail differences in the services/charges, such as which currencies have local bank details and the amount you can withdraw at cash machines etc.

 

[carolyn]

Revolut and Starling. We have a Santantander Zero credit card which is no longer available to new folk though. Tescos credit card has a bad Exchange rate for overseas use. Starling is handy if you like cash, I do like some for tips and with Revolut you only get £200 fee free per month. Mind you Nick has a Revolut as well.

Starling was great in USA as they do love their tips and pre Covid they liked them in cash, haven’t been since Covid so don’t know if it’s changed.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[jumar]

I have a Spanish bank account...Euros of course....but my Revolut account is Tops for traveling outside Spain, and outside Eurozone.. Scandinavian for example...pre loaded or topped up as our travels extend...cannot beat the flexibility of Revolut..

 

[Reallyretired]

Caxton for cash. Normal fuel credit card and Tesco card for groceries (habit not for any good reason)

 

[Lenny HB]

I have a Spanish bank account...Euros of course....but my Revolut account is Tops for traveling outside Spain, and outside Eurozone.. Scandinavian for example...pre loaded or topped up as our travels extend...cannot beat the flexibility of Revolut..

We use ours in Thailand, useful when daughter wants to pay us for stuff in Thai Bhat.

 

[TDub49]

Starling - but I take the Halifax Clarity card and NatWest card as back up. I keep enough "liquidity" on the Starling card to handle day to day stuff but it is separate from my main account and so if it gets cloned/hacked or whatever, I won't lose everything . .

 

[lorger]

Halifax cc for us.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[chaser]

Halifax cc for us.

Halifax the best, no competition.

 

[jumar]

Halifax the best, no competition.

But....there is competition....the ones posted above.....

 

[chaser]

But....there is competition....the ones posted above.....

But none come anywhere near, brilliant exchange rate no costs whatever always a month to pay ,you don't have to pay out before you go, what's not to like.

 

[WoodysTravels]

Thanks all

 

[Lenny HB]

But none come anywhere near, brilliant exchange rate no costs whatever always a month to pay ,you don't have to pay out before you go, what's not to like.

With Revolut and similar cards you can buy currency when the rate suits you. Last time we changed vans I needed to pay €10,000 by buying the Euros when the rate was good I saved £400 that's a lot on €10k.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Phill D]

With Revolut and similar cards you can buy currency when the rate suits you. Last time we changed vans I needed to pay €10,000 by buying the Euros when the rate was good I saved £400 that's a lot on €10k.

I totally agree but I believe Chaser makes the point he is not spending his money

 

[Vintage_Potter]

Important to note that Halifax offers more than one credit card. The only free credit card from Halifax that has no overseas charges and gives decent exchange rates is the Halifax Clarity CC. It's the one I use overseas and it does the job.

 

[K R B]

Nationwide credit card used for 15 years in france, 99% of the time

 

[Zigisla]

We use both Revolut and Clarity CC. Last trip I preloaded Revolut as normal, but to be honest I don’t know why as I didn’t use it. Out came the clarity for everything. When I got home my daughter was off to Turkey and I transferred the euro to “turkey money” for her and she took the card. On return transferred back to euro and she paid me for what she had used. Next trip will be on the Tesco card via the Curve account. I will then compare expenses and see if any real benifit of clarity.

 

[chaser]

Important to note that Halifax offers more than one credit card. The only free credit card from Halifax that has no overseas charges and gives decent exchange rates is the Halifax Clarity CC. It's the one I use overseas and it does the job.

That's the one don't use it anywhere apart from when in Europe, Tesco for everything here for tunnel points which is free here but rediculas abroad.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[carolyn]

Tescos is of course fine if you use it via Curve.

I did apply for a Halifax clarity CC a few years back when the Post Office credit card changed to Jaja which got terrible reviews initially. I was refused and couldn’t understand it as my credit rating is very good. I investigated and in the end it was because I also had a John Lewis card and they have the same parent bank. Over the next few months JL are changing provider, I know I will end up applying for the Halifax clarity again. I won’t be able to help myself! I like to have a backup provider. Well that’s my excuse anyway.

 

[Brains]

Halifax the best, no competition.

The competition beat Halifax quite soundly.

Top five at the moment are:

• Starling
• Revolut
• Wise (ex Travelwise)
• Monzo
• Currentsee
• But there are plenty of others

You need to do your homework, each card has pro's and con's.
Some charge monthly fees
Some are better for a limited number of Currencies (like Euro's and Dollars) which if you only travel outside the EU/USA once in a blue moon may not matter.
Some are backed by major cards (Master card, Visa etc)
Some work in ATM's free, other don't or have low weekly limits

I've yet to find a site that lists them all, with the pros and cons of each one. But if you start off by using one of the top ones as your benchmark and then compare
(FYI, We looked at all this in detail at the end of last year, Starling came out top)

 

[TUCANO]

Interesting reading here so thanks to all and, one question please, how/where can I get a Starling credit card

 

[Brains]

Interesting reading here so thanks to all and, one question please, how/where can I get a Starling credit card

Really easy.

Go to the website and set up and account.
Download the app onto your smart phone
And then follow the instructions.

Best done on a week day, as a human does check you out.
They will want a photo of your passport.
They will want you to record a video of your face saying your full name.
You then set up a conventional GBP account.

Transfer a few quid into the new account and then wait.
You will get a card in the post

Then set up a Euro account.
Transfer money from the GB£ to the €uro account
YOU choose when to transfer money, so do it when YOU think you will get the best rate.
Once it's in €uros it stays in €uros. There is no point in transferring it back into pounds unless you really need the money.

 

[carolyn]

Interesting reading here so thanks to all and, one question please, how/where can I get a Starling credit card

You open it online, just google open starling account and choose personal account. Must admit I’ve never bothered setting up a euro account as well and just keep the sterling account as they use the interbank rank for conversion. (I do for Revolut though so just laziness really).

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}