Credit Card for USA, Halifax Clarity still the one?

Megahurtz400 · 9 Aug 2019 at 14:59

As per title, need a CC for USA in a few months, done some searching and Halifax Clarity seems to be the one to go for, is this still the case?

Cheers,

Dan

Raymond Lin · 9 Aug 2019 at 15:01

Anything with Mastercard.

I actually used a mix of cash, Starling, Monzo and Amex.

malachi · 9 Aug 2019 at 15:01

Yep, I use it along side my Revolt card.

Megahurtz400 · 9 Aug 2019 at 16:05

Raymond Lin said:
Anything with Mastercard.

I actually used a mix of cash, Starling, Monzo and Amex.

malachi said:
Yep, I use it along side my Revolt card.

Super, thanks

Will be using that for purchase, car hire etc and a Monzo card for cash withdrawals.

Helios1234 · 9 Aug 2019 at 17:06

I've used mine every time I've been to the US and anywhere abroad for that matter without any issues. You tend to get very good conversion rates as well.

Thecaferacer · 9 Aug 2019 at 17:44

Clarity and Monzo is definitely the still the top way, although cash dollars are still needed as I was shocked by how many places over there don't accept cards, let alone contactless etc.

Jean-F · 9 Aug 2019 at 18:13

Helios1234 said:
I've used mine every time I've been to the US and anywhere abroad for that matter without any issues. You tend to get very good conversion rates as well.

I’ll second that.

malachi · 9 Aug 2019 at 18:35

Thecaferacer said:
Clarity and Monzo is definitely the still the top way, although cash dollars are still needed as I was shocked by how many places over there don't accept cards, let alone contactless etc.

Found that werid in New York, they are funny about contactless via card but don't have a problem with Apple Pay :confused:

GGizmo · 9 Aug 2019 at 23:35

I think as long as the card is part of the big money credit companies, like Mastercard or Visa, then you'll be fine.

OllyM · 10 Aug 2019 at 00:40

malachi said:
Found that werid in New York, they are funny about contactless via card but don't have a problem with Apple Pay

Probably because contactless cards are still pretty rare here, the big banks have really only just started rolling them out.

A2Z · 10 Aug 2019 at 01:12

BowdonUK said:
I think as long as the card is part of the big money credit companies, like Mastercard or Visa, then you'll be fine.

This is terrible advice. It's nothing to do with whether its Visa or MC, it's all about whether they charge a foreign transaction fee/exchange fee, which the Clarity doesn't, hence it being so great.

bailey12856 · 10 Aug 2019 at 01:51

Jean-F said:
I’ll second that.

And third. Always use my Clarity card, and top up my Revolut too

weringo · 10 Aug 2019 at 10:26

Tandem tops all of the above as there's no foreign exchange fees + 0.5% cashback

GGizmo · 10 Aug 2019 at 10:34

A2Z said:
This is terrible advice. It's nothing to do with whether its Visa or MC, it's all about whether they charge a foreign transaction fee/exchange fee, which the Clarity doesn't, hence it being so great.

At least I wasn't suggesting travellers cheques!

Gaygle · 12 Aug 2019 at 16:38

A2Z said:
This is terrible advice. It's nothing to do with whether its Visa or MC, it's all about whether they charge a foreign transaction fee/exchange fee, which the Clarity doesn't, hence it being so great.

This.

Neither does Santander Zero card. I think they still do the one I've got?

Pudney · 12 Aug 2019 at 16:52

Sorry to tag on to this, but it's fairly relevant as I'm off to the USA soon as well! How prevalent are places that don't accept cards? I was just planning on taking a credit card and not really worrying about too much cash (other than for tipping, another problem to my mind entirely!), but a previous comment in here suggests I may need more cash.

Megahurtz400 · 12 Aug 2019 at 16:56

weringo said:
Tandem tops all of the above as there's no foreign exchange fees + 0.5% cashback

Interesting, tell me more please

Just had a google, anyone know of any drawbacks?

Helios1234 · 12 Aug 2019 at 17:04

Pudney said:
Sorry to tag on to this, but it's fairly relevant as I'm off to the USA soon as well! How prevalent are places that don't accept cards? I was just planning on taking a credit card and not really worrying about too much cash (other than for tipping, another problem to my mind entirely!), but a previous comment in here suggests I may need more cash.

You don't need too much cash but it's handy to have as back-up if your card (Clarity card in my case) gets declined, which I've experienced a few times at certain restaurants in the US. Most if not all places accept card though.

BigT · 12 Aug 2019 at 17:17

Just remember when you use your Clarity card, if offered the choice, to pay in the local currency or else you're undoing all the advantages of having it by getting a crappy exchange rate in all likelihood.

Muffin` · 12 Aug 2019 at 19:56

Megahurtz400 said:
Interesting, tell me more please

Just had a google, anyone know of any drawbacks?

At a stretch you could say you're not supported by an institution as big as Halifax, but in the real world it's not likely to impact anything. I've switched from my Clarity to it, also the App is very good for offering a view of all my bank accounts and credit cards.