Alternative to Barclays Reward Card for fee free international spend?
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I need to get a hold of a credit card with fee free international transactions for an upcoming trip. I had found the Barclays Reward card that would have been perfect but unfortunately I already hold the Barclaycard avios card and you are unable to hold more than one barclays credit card. Any other good alternatives other than Halifax Clarity?
Chase… 1% back on spend, fee free ATM use (ATM provider may charge)… If trip is to USA, perfect free cash withdrawals via Chase ATMs.
There is no other credit card, unless you are traveling to Europe, in which case, Virgin rewards cards may work.
Debit cards – as mentioned above, Chase seems to be a good option. Starling, Monzo, Currensea, Wise are other options.Can someone who has one of the Virgin reward cards confirm if the rate used for the fee free transactions is competitive?
If you are just after fee-free purchases via credit card, I think Nationwide’s credit card still offers this, although you may need to have another account with Nationwide to qualify (we have their FlexPlus account primarily for the included worldwide travel insurance, which I rate). In the past, I had used this Nationwide card for all foreign-currency purchases until I picked up a US Amex card.
I used the Virgin card to pay a chunky hotel bill in Porto last summer, the exchange rate appeared to be just what was normal on that day.
Curve doesn’t charge FX fees during the week, though I’m not sure if that’s just on metal (and terms are changing soon).
Revolut is good for topping up with GBP and converting when the exchange rate is favourable.
There is no other credit card, unless you are traveling to Europe, in which case, Virgin rewards cards may work.
Debit cards – as mentioned above, Chase seems to be a good option. Starling, Monzo, Currensea, Wise are other options.I am wrong clearly. Natwest credit card (yes, thats the branding) has no fx fees either. But no rewards.
IME the Virgin card gives excellent Euro rates (it was consistently cents better than my mates Caxton card on a recent French trip). Just remember not to use your card in Monaco if you don’t want to get hit with a fee (they use Euros but are NOT part of the EEA!)…
Can someone who has one of the Virgin reward cards confirm if the rate used for the fee free transactions is competitive?
Yes, its the standard MasterCard conversion rate.
The new Kroo current account offers fees free international spending too plus currently 4.35% AER monthly interest on positive balances. Apply via TopCas£back and earn yourself £16.80!
Yonder is a credit card with rewards and fee-free FX. They have recently launched a version with no annual fee without insurance, a weaker rewards rate and smaller credit limits.
Yonder is very niche though because unless you live in London you can’t apply for it.
Yonder is very niche though because unless you live in London you can’t apply for it.
before I waste my time, any yonder holders care to let us know what methods one can use to clear a balance?
RBS also do an FX fee free spending (not ATM withdrawal), I’m using this on my holiday coming up to Australia this week to avoid the curve limits and weekend markup. Having my Chase debit card as backup as missed the £500 top up last month to get the 1% cashback this month 🙁
Bring back Supercard, I say!
RBS also do an FX fee free spending (not ATM withdrawal), I’m using this on my holiday coming up to Australia this week to avoid the curve limits and weekend markup. Having my Chase debit card as backup as missed the £500 top up last month to get the 1% cashback this month 🙁
The bad news is that most hotels and restaurants in Australia add a card payment surcharge whatever card you use and anything you do to avoid the Curve weekend markup pales into insignificance vs the 15% weekend surcharge typically applied by restaurants/bars.
The bad news is that most hotels and restaurants in Australia add a card payment surcharge whatever card you use
Same in Laos. Not quite 15%, but noticeable. They seemed surprised when I pulled out the required cash on checkout (all dragged out via Curve on multiple ATM visits).
The bad news is that most hotels and restaurants in Australia add a card payment surcharge whatever card you use
Same in Laos. Not quite 15%, but noticeable. They seemed surprised when I pulled out the required cash on checkout (all dragged out via Curve on multiple ATM visits).
The 15% is a charge added to bills at the weekend for the restaurant’s extra costs – they have a worse staff shortage than we do in the UK. This applied almost everywhere we went over three weekends in May The credit card fee says at c. 1 to 3%
Debit card from Algbra with 1-1.5% cashback
Debit card from Algbra with 1-1.5% cashback
“We are not a bank. We are a movement.”
Debit card from Algbra with 1-1.5% cashback
“We are not a bank. We are a movement.”
Yep. Last seen lying on the M25 at 8am.
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