Credit Card Advice?

[bikertomm]

Alright lads,

Basically, I'm going away to France in err 2 weeks time

And I've been told it's best to use cash or a credit card and avoid using your accounts linked to your bank/savings. (Fraud etc)

(Also have a fat hotel deposit to make - rather use a card..)

Could anyone shed some light on the matter - I don't really know how they work.

What's the best one to go for? If it's 0% for 18 months, does that mean I can use it just like a bank card? But it's 'safer' because if it's fraud it won't come out your savings?

Also, can you quit? Or does this leave a black mark to your name.

Can I get one within 2 weeks?

Thanking you!


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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[Ben90]

I've got one for New York. Seemed like a sensible idea instead of carrying a huge wad of cash. Purchases made on it over £100 are insured too I believe.

Make sure it has no overseas load fees etc for purchases. I picked up the Halifax Clarity card. Post Office is good too.

Use it, pay it off when you get home. Even if there's no '0% for x months' promotion its fine as long as you pay it off within 56 days of the first purchase you make on it (double check this grace period in your small print, usually 28 days until first bill, then another 28 to pay it)

Avoid cash withdrawls on credit cards (in general) as they charge load fees AND interest from the minute you take it out. Take some cash for small purchases.

No need to 'quit' when you're finished with it. Just zero it and keep it in a drawer for your next holiday, or cut it up, whatever.

Apply online, get a decision and it'll arrive within 5 days usually.

Try the moneysavingexpert credit card eligibility checker to do a 'soft' check of your probability of being accepted for a range of cards, because if you apply directly to a bank and get declined it's bad for your rating.
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Yamaha FZ6 S2

[Shaft]

You could get a prepaid card, I use one for buying stuff online and making sure I've always got a bit of spare dosh on me.

They normally have a ceiling on them (mine is £1500) but you can load on any amount up to that, in a number of different ways, including electronic bank transfer, so if you're registered for internet banking, you can top it up with your smartphone.

Because it's not an actual credit card, there's no credit check, you just apply and they send you one, takes a couple of days.

Use a money expert type site to compare the different ones, the main differences are the top up fees; mine is from Kalixa and it's free to top up electronically, but you can buy top up vouchers at Paypoint outlets and you get charged a fee for using those.
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Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035

[pinkyfloyd]

[FriendlyEllis]

Get any reputable one with no annual fee.

Don't spend more than you can pay off when you get home.

Pay it all off on your return and cut it up and bin it.
Don't keep 'for emergencies'. You'll end up finding excuses for emergencies!!

I used a credit card for a holiday to Tobago once and then kept using it. It was like a stone round my neck.
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Honda CB600F Hornet 2013 -> Kawasaki Z1000SX ABS Tourer 2015

[Polarbear]

Asda credit card. 1% cash back on Asda purchases including petrol. 1/2% Cash back from anywhere else and good rates of interest.
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Victory Cross Country American tractor.

[Tungtvann]

[BTTD]

[waffles]

I second the prepay card thing. FairFX do a Euro card which works exactly the same way as a debit card, except you decide how much to put on it before you go and have to top it up if you spend more than you bargained for. You get a card and a PIN and they turn up within a few days. As you pay out the money straight away you don't have to be approved for anything either, bonus!

I'm going to Europeland with some mates at the beginning of August and this is what I intend to do.
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Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[pinkyfloyd]

[iooi]

A couple of points.

You may find that hotels and such that pre auth a card. Will not take pre-pay cards.

if you use pay at the pump in Europe. Be prepared to lose 120 Euro's from your available balance. They auth for that amount and only adjust to the correct amount on debit.
UK is £1 or £2 and then debit for the correct amount.
So for a biker that covers a lot of miles in a day, with a small tank better have a good balance in their account.
Or just pay in store..

Credit card interest rate say 20%
Savings interest max3%.

WTF do people not pay the balance off, when they have the funds in the savings acc...
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[bikertomm]

Thanks for all the help lads.

Just done the deed and been accepted.

Will be just for emergencies ect, nice one!
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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[pinkyfloyd]