Credit card for America ?

thedoc46 · 6 Jun 2016 at 15:08

What about using your regular visa / mastercard ? That's what i'll be doing when i go over to the UK next month.

thewanted · 6 Jun 2016 at 15:08

Azza said:
Your Profile -> Your Travel Plans

You can setup destinations and dates all online so you don't even have to ring up.

Each and every time I've tried this, my travel plans have never appeared on the site

Craig321 · 6 Jun 2016 at 15:09

thedoc46 said:
What about using your regular visa / mastercard ? That's what i'll be doing when i go over to the UK next month.

Depending on the card / bank you're with, you might get a crap exchange rate, plus they can take a percent and a set charge. Your £20 withdrawal might end up costing closer to £30 on some cards!

[TW]Fox · 6 Jun 2016 at 15:14

thedoc46 said:
What about using your regular visa / mastercard ? That's what i'll be doing when i go over to the UK next month.

Punitive fees and a loaded exchange rate.

Sirrel Squirrel · 6 Jun 2016 at 15:24

If you're with Nationwide sign up for a Select Credit Card. No fees on purchases abroad and if you have the paid Flex account the debit card is fee free for cash withdrawals.

squerble · 6 Jun 2016 at 15:41

Those using a credit card, did you use the card for everything? Did you take any cash with you as a backup? I'm visiting in September so keen to know what I can do.

thewanted · 6 Jun 2016 at 15:44

squerble said:
Those using a credit card, did you use the card for everything? Did you take any cash with you as a backup? I'm visiting in September so keen to know what I can do.

I use my Halifax Clarity for everything. When I go to Georgia (the country, not the state) in September, I will draw money at the airport from an ATM.

In countries where card payments are more prolific (ie. the US) I withdraw very little cash.

ci_newman · 6 Jun 2016 at 16:15

squerble said:
Those using a credit card, did you use the card for everything? Did you take any cash with you as a backup? I'm visiting in September so keen to know what I can do.

I visited California a couple of weeks ago. I took $400 in cash with me, and brought $380 back with me again.

The $20 was for a cab in SanFransico (I was feeling lazy and it went onto company expenses), everything else went on the credit card.

Destination · 6 Jun 2016 at 17:32

Teknobry said:
halifax clarity. just look on moneysavingexpert. top rated card, best rates and no fees.
I've used it in the states, morocco, tunisia, canary islands, its great!

This

-edit
Makes purchases using your card, make those purchases in dollars.
Do not let the agent convert to pounds for you, just make in dollars, no fees, no costs, except the forex rate at the time of purchase.
Without doubt the best way to make purchases.

Avoid withdrawing cash if you can.

Teknobry · 6 Jun 2016 at 18:20

why avoid withdrawing cash? its often recommended to withdraw on it. no comission, no fees. yes they charge a daily interest rate but it really is tiny if you're paying it back with the month.

[TW]Fox · 6 Jun 2016 at 18:22

Teknobry said:
why avoid withdrawing cash?

You don't really need it. There is almost nowhere you can't use a card. Just keep a bit in your wallet for tips etc as thats pretty much all you use cash for.

POB · 6 Jun 2016 at 19:25

Kylevdm said:
I use Revolut, it's great. Easy to see and top up your balance from the app. No fees, no commission.

In California my freinds Revolut was decined twice, and also on a Spanish toll road.

7/11 was one place it was declined.

Halifax Clarity worked each time first time.

flowrider99 · 6 Jun 2016 at 19:44

Been using a Halifax Clarity credit card for years, i've been all over the world with it.

BennyC · 6 Jun 2016 at 20:00

Nationwide.

GWillow · 6 Jun 2016 at 20:44

Got my son a Caxton fx currency card for when he went on a school trip to New York, worked a treat. Easy enough to top it up using their website or mobile app.

bledd · 7 Jun 2016 at 01:18

Thanks chaps.

Begbie · 7 Jun 2016 at 04:22

I got a revolut card, used it in Korea and Japan just fine.

Skillmister · 7 Jun 2016 at 06:39

[TW]Fox;29589834 said:
You don't really need it. There is almost nowhere you can't use a card. Just keep a bit in your wallet for tips etc as thats pretty much all you use cash for.

Rome metro self service ticket machines being one of those nowheres :mad:

thewanted · 7 Jun 2016 at 06:48

Skillmister said:
Rome metro self service ticket machines being one of those nowheres

Perhaps that's true, but the OP is going to the US

Qjumper · 7 Jun 2016 at 07:44

I use Halifax Clarity, never had a refusal and it just gets paid off direct debit every month. Been accepted throughout NYC, Texas and Michigan with no drama's to date.