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I’ll be travelling to Canada from the UK and spend about a fortnight there. What’s the best and most cheapest way for me to spend money there via debit/credit cards with little or no exchange fees, but still earn Avios?
Avios Barclaycard via Curve is a solid option.
Avios Barclaycard via Curve is a solid option.
Isn’t that 2.99% on foreign transactions?
Avios Barclaycard via Curve is a solid option.
Isn’t that 2.99% on foreign transactions?
Not if you use Curve, as Curve charges the underlying card in GBP. Just check the limits and also the extra weekend charges (1%, so still better).
Ah, so will need a Charge Metal account right? That’s seemingly quite expensive at £14.99 p/m, or £50 charge to cancel, unless I’ve got it wrong?
Might be worth reading the comments section of this post:
You get a £1000 monthly limit for fee free fx and also same at weekend now, terms just changed
I will be using free curve with Barclaycard Avios for a spend upto £1000 (then I think there is a fee over that) and have the chance to withdraw £200 from ATM free (well no fee from curve, not sure if BC avios will charge)
You get a £1000 monthly limit for fee free fx and also same at weekend now, terms just changed
I will be using free curve with Barclaycard Avios for a spend upto £1000 (then I think there is a fee over that) and have the chance to withdraw £200 from ATM free (well no fee from curve, not sure if BC avios will charge)
That’s using Curve Metal right, with the £14.99 monthly fee?
No, the free Curve card has £1000/month worth of free currency conversion, and £200 fee-free ATM withdrawal as part of that. Curve Metal has free currency conversion up to £60K/year.
No, the free Curve card has £1000/month worth of free currency conversion, and £200 fee-free ATM withdrawal as part of that. Curve Metal has free currency conversion up to £60K/year.
But you can’t front with the free curve thus not gaining any Avios points via AMEX, right?
Correct, but the card referred to upthread, the Avios Barclaycard, isn’t an Amex, that’s a different card to the BA Amex.
So I’m thinking
Curve (free) front with AMEX Platinum. Curve free charges 1.5% per front payment, but I don’t see spending over £1000 so I’ll be paying £15 for the fees, as opposed to Curve Metal where it’s £15.99 p/m.
So I’m thinking
Curve (free) front with AMEX Platinum. Curve free charges 1.5% per front payment, but I don’t see spending over £1000 so I’ll be paying £15 for the fees, as opposed to Curve Metal where it’s £15.99 p/m.
I didn’t think you could use Amex with Curve? I believe that the new Chase card is 0% forex and you get 1% cashback on most things, so would be better to use this for cashback rather than trying to chase a few Amex points?
You can’t pay for things with Amex via Curve. You CAN pay your Amex bill with Curve fronted, if this is what @confused means!
So I’m thinking
Curve (free) front with AMEX Platinum. Curve free charges 1.5% per front payment, but I don’t see spending over £1000 so I’ll be paying £15 for the fees, as opposed to Curve Metal where it’s £15.99 p/m.
I didn’t think you could use Amex with Curve? I believe that the new Chase card is 0% forex and you get 1% cashback on most things, so would be better to use this for cashback rather than trying to chase a few Amex points?
See this thread:
https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/chase-bank-is-it-a-good-option/
Apparently last day for referral bonus which will be more than what you get in cash back if you are planning to spend <£1k. But there is a waiting room at the moment, which may not work with the poster’s time line.- This reply was modified 55 years, 4 months ago by .
So I’m thinking
Curve (free) front with AMEX Platinum. Curve free charges 1.5% per front payment, but I don’t see spending over £1000 so I’ll be paying £15 for the fees, as opposed to Curve Metal where it’s £15.99 p/m.
I didn’t think you could use Amex with Curve? I believe that the new Chase card is 0% forex and you get 1% cashback on most things, so would be better to use this for cashback rather than trying to chase a few Amex points?
See this thread:
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Apparently last day for referral bonus which will be more than what you get in cash back if you are planning to spend <£1k. But there is a waiting room at the moment, which may not work with the poster’s time line.
The OP says he won’t be spending over £1000. Might be worth forgetting Curve and just go with his Amex and bite the bullet on FedEx fees..3%..£30.
And/or get the free Curve which could also be useful.
A lot of hassle mentioned for £1000 spend.Lot of effort for not spending £1K. Use whatever card you usually do and pay the FX fees. Amex doesn’t work with Curve, and your questions and responses suggest that using your usual card will work best for you.
And if you really want a few Avios for your <£1000 then there are not a lot of options nowadays. At least with the Sainsbury card, you’ll get a few Avios, or change them to Nectar.
And having visited Canada regularly you will certainly not be able to use your Amex card everywhere.
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