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Hi

After reading up on MoneySavingExpert, I decided to look more closely at the cost of using our usual debit cards in France (which is what we have done for last few years).  I hadn't really noticed the extra costs of doing this, but ....

Unfortunately, I found out that both Mr U-M's card and mine both charge a min £1.50 for every cash machine withdrawal abroad, plus a commission on the conversion of over 3%.  Likewise, using the debit card at the tills in France would cost us conversion commissions - so pretty difficult to avoid the costs whichever way you use your card.

To be fair, we don't spend a huge amount when we are en France, but even a couple of trips to the cashpoint and the supermarket must have been costing me more than it needed to.

The card recommended was a Halifax Clarity Card.  There are no fees for withdrawals abroad and the amount is converted at the prevailing rate (without extra commission).  The downside is that cash withdrawals attract interest from the moment of withdrawal, but overall it looked a much cheaper deal for us - assuming we will settle up on our return home.  The card rate is 12.9% APR.

I also thought it would be useful if we use the toll roads (Peage) instead of carrying wads of Euros.

Initially, I thought it couldn't possibly be better to use a credit card than a debit card, because of the interest but it seems I was being a bit ignorant. As was suggested by Martyn Lewis, I have now applied for one just for the purposes of going abroad.

Just thought I'd share this with UKCS in case it helps anyone else.

Quote: Originally posted by Ulti-Mates on 05/6/2011

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Hi

The downside is that cash withdrawals attract interest from the moment of withdrawal, but overall it looked a much cheaper deal for us - assuming we will settle up on our return home.  The card rate is 12.9% APR.

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I am a Halifax customer but didn't use they credit card until this deal came out. As stated in the OP I can confirm those details.I have just received my card which took about 10 days to arrive.

As for cash withdrawals I don't think their rate is any diferent to any other bank.

harryb

How do the unmanned lanes work. How does it know which band to charge.

harryb

Quote: Originally posted by HarryB on 05/6/2011

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How do the unmanned lanes work. How does it know which band to charge.

harryb

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just like the folk above   we used Nationwide and post office cards   the nationwide ordinary card has changed but the upper level one is just like the post office card and the halifax    we go the halifax recently before I found out that the nationwide card i had was still ok   so now it is belts braces and a piece of string    

beware when you get your cash abroad - you do have to pay interest and it is from the day you withdraw it until the day you actually pay the bill of  this can be virtually two months at the exhorbitant rates they charge   in the end it is a lot of money  just pay by credit and you have none of these problems