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This may seem like a silly newbie question but I can’t seem to get my head around it!
If it’s not economical to use a BA Amex card abroad due to fx fees what does everyone use to pay for hotels etc whilst abroad and earn avios at the same time? Other than Capital on Tap business card with no fx fees which is for business use but earns avios I don’t know what is best to use? TIASome people don’t earn Avios.
Some use a Barclays Avios rewards card or HSBC World Elite via curve.
Some use A Virgin credit card (in Europe) and earn Virgin points.
Some people use Amex Gold and earn double membership rewards and just eat the 3% fee.
Some people use Revolut and get cash back with minimal fix fees.
Some people use Halifax clarity and don’t earn anything other than having the comfort of s75 without FX fees.
Some people have the old MBNA card and get 0.5%.
Many people have the Chase debit card and get cash back.
As one of life’s natural victims I get bank notes at Travelex at the airport and pay cash.
I’m sure I’ve missed many other options
Thanks Froggee for that comprehensive guide. I thought I was missing a secret method of earning avios but clearly not!
Curve over Avios Barclaycard (or Virgin card for VS points etc etc). Has been Avios profitable for me, even with metal as lots of forex spend.
For many years, I just used a Nationwide Select Credit Card with no foreign exchange fees while travelling and still often use this where AMEX isn’t accepted abroad.
In more recent times, I use a US Amex Green Card, which has no FX fees and gives 3x points on all travel/transport purchases based on USD spend (so 3.81x based on GBP spend with current exchange rates), which has proven to be very valuable, although probably not a card many in the UK can easily get.
As we tend to travel in Asia though, I’ve found that the Klook and KKDay apps are useful for event, attraction, and transport purchases when travelling and their prices are similar to buying direct, but often with discounts and option to select the currency you want to pay in. This means it is easy to use my UK cards like BAPP or Barclaycard Avios and earn Avios that way.
What is the profit with Curve over Avios Barclaycard?
It all depends on where you’re travelling to, in many countries cash is king, and if you something you’d like to buy or pay for a service, they won’t have a card machine at all, I’m in Colombia right now, and that’s very much the case !
When I stopped over in Miami on my way, I ordered a pizza, and was told I’d have to pay 4% surcharge to use my card ! Luckily I had some cash to cover it instead of paying such a ripoff for a country where bank cards are in just about everyone’s pocket
I’m sure I’ve missed many other options
What about Amex Platinum International Currency card? Is this still a thing?
There used be a USD and EUR version, which earns points, and I think you can just pay it off with Revolut?
I’m sure I’ve missed many other options
What about Amex Platinum International Currency card? Is this still a thing?
There used be a USD and EUR version, which earns points, and I think you can just pay it off with Revolut?
You cannot longer apply for this card.
Some people use Halifax clarity and don’t earn anything other than having the comfort of s75 without FX fees.
This! Some people aren’t 100% with earning Avios worth maybe 0.5-1p on everything.
There’s credit and debit alternatives with 0% FX that are worth more than trying to accomodate every situation in every country for a few avios.
On my travels I’ve come across many places that dont accept Amex, some dont accept Visa, some don’t accept MC so you need all 3. And some places still don’t accept cards at all even in the good old US of A.
Then you have some places that still have difficulty with foreign cards, with or without pins. And then there’s the risk you’ll get your card blocked for something as simple as buying a $15 Nandos meal online.
As well as the cards mentioned above (and Halifax Clarity is always my fall back), there’s Virgin Money debit card (fee free worldwide), First Direct Debit (ditto), Virgin Money CC (fee free for euro), Barclaycard Cashback 0.25% (fee free world wide and is my primary card these days when travelling). Debit cards are a pain for hotels as the security deposit can take up to a month to be refunded which is outrageous.
Curve over Avios Barclaycard (or Virgin card for VS points etc etc). Has been Avios profitable for me, even with metal as lots of forex spend.
Plus 1 for this suggestion Qwertyknowsbest. Earned me 1000s all at great exchange rates and no loading fee.
Thank you all for your excellent information
Are there a credit or prepaid debit card earning avios which can be issued to non-UK resident from some UK bank? Some banks allow you to secure a deposit instead of giving you a credit limit, but not sure if any UK bank do this.
If this option is not an option can I get a card on my name conected and guranteed by a UK resident with approved credit line?
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