(Photo by © Brandon Elijah Scott / Eye & Pen)
While credit cards have fairly obvious benefits for people looking to book a foreign holiday, some people might be wary of using them when they reach their destination. With many products charging a fee for using your plastic overseas (whether on purchases or cash withdrawals), it can feel like it’s just better to leave it at home.
But the truth is, if you compare credit cards in a little more detail you’ll find some products are actually very well suited to travelers and could help you to save money while buying abroad. A number of lenders offer credit cards designed for this purpose, with many offering rates of foreign exchange that can even beat the bureau de change.
So why not shop around and make a credit card application for one before you jet off? Remember though, it’s always wise to find out the exact terms and conditions associated with a credit card as these can vary. If you don’t you could find your holiday costing a little more than you’d bargained for!
When the time comes to use your new plastic, be sure you’re charged in the local currency rather than sterling, as this will make sure you get the good exchange rate offered by the card.
And if you’re a money savvy sort then you’ll already know to only spend what you can afford to pay off in a reasonable time, in order to avoid interest rates. If you can clear the full balance on your return then all the better as you’ll only pay for what you’ve spent!
Another way to save cash
Of course, there are other ways cards can be used abroad without you being hit with charges. One way you can do this is by getting a pre-paid credit card, which can be loaded up with your desired amount before your trip. This can help you to avoid having to carry large amounts of cash and is a great way to only spend what you can reasonably afford. As always though, read the small print before settling on one to dodge fees.
If you decide to simply use your debit card then be careful that you’re not being charged more than you should be. Research has shown that tourists waste millions each year because of a lack of understanding about how best to pay abroad.
So why not shop around and make a credit card application for one before you jet off? Remember though, it’s always wise to find out the exact terms and conditions associated with a credit card as these can vary. If you don’t you could find your holiday costing a little more than you’d bargained for!
When the time comes to use your new plastic, be sure you’re charged in the local currency rather than sterling, as this will make sure you get the good exchange rate offered by the card.
And if you’re a money savvy sort then you’ll already know to only spend what you can afford to pay off in a reasonable time, in order to avoid interest rates. If you can clear the full balance on your return then all the better as you’ll only pay for what you’ve spent!
Another way to save cash
Of course, there are other ways cards can be used abroad without you being hit with charges. One way you can do this is by getting a pre-paid credit card, which can be loaded up with your desired amount before your trip. This can help you to avoid having to carry large amounts of cash and is a great way to only spend what you can reasonably afford. As always though, read the small print before settling on one to dodge fees.
If you decide to simply use your debit card then be careful that you’re not being charged more than you should be. Research has shown that tourists waste millions each year because of a lack of understanding about how best to pay abroad.
(This post was written by Shay Quincy)
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