Best Credit Card

If you live in the UK and travel to Italy I would recommend you apply for the Halifax Clarity Credit Card. It's not only as good as cash. It's better!*

The 2 most important things about this Credit Card are:
1) There is no (ie zero) fee for using it abroad (typically 2.99% with other cards)
and
2) Your transactions are charged at the full 'inter-bank rate' (ie not tourist rate). So, if the inter-bank rate is £/€ 1.175, that's the rate that's used to convert your foreign currency transaction on your statement.

Here's the link: http://www.halifax.co.uk/creditcards/low-rate-no-fee/clarity-card/

Go for it! Every little helps and you know you're worth it!

*Normally you can't move cash from the UK to Italy at the full inter-bank rate. However I've found a way (watch this space!).

.. well I'm watching as we almost live here in Italy and often transfer ... currently use currencyfair and still not found anything as good...CFair

I know that is a credit card, but what about the Nationwide flexaccount card, that is £10 a month, with the same no charge, and travel insurance included, plus a few more extras?

http://www.nationwide.co.uk/current_account/flexplus/default.htm

If you're over 50, Saga have a visa debit card, similar to the Halifax one above.

I know I don't look that old!

I've got a Nationwide Flexaccount debit and Nationwide credit card with all the perks, but I dont pay £10 a month. They are both free. Is the charge for new customers?

la alma wrote:I've got a Nationwide Flexaccount debit and Nationwide credit card with all the perks, but I dont pay £10 a month. They are both free. Is the charge for new customers?

Hi.

From what I can see and I have a normal flexaccount debit card, but not the credit card. With the Flexaccount debit (free), you pay for withdrawing money from ATM's in the EU as a %, plus a £1 charge. Purchases just save the £1.
Because we live here, then these charges can be more than the £10 a month. Just checked on the normal Flex statement and one withdrawal of Euro250, cost just over £5.

Hope this helps.

We opened a joint Nationwide Flexplus account as someone recommended it on the 'other' place.  Very pleased with it so far.  Lots of extras including breakdown insurance which gives European cover for six months as well as UK home start cover for both of us.   This made it very cost-effective even accounting for the £10 a month charge.  In addition you get quite a high rate of interest on up to a certain amount which brings down the monthly charge even further.  Sorry, I can't remember the exact figures and internet not good enough to research at present.

Not put much to the test yet, but on the face of it looks a very good deal and have found them very good to deal with.