Withdraw from a U.S. ATM, or order at home ? – Halifax Clarity cc

[JonathanC]

Hello all

I’m going to be in the U.S. briefly (an overnight stopover), I’m going too need to get cash, probably around $500.

What’s my best bet, using my Halifax Clarity cc in an ATM in the U.S., I’m fully aware I don’t think there’s any ATMs that don’t charge a fee for withdrawals, or do I just get back home and order what I need from whichever has the best return, usually Tesco, M&S, John Lewis etc are all great and don’t charge any commission, although it’s often tough to know if getting cash from within the country gives the most amount back.

I know that with Clarity cc, you’ll be charged interest, but given that it’s quite literally pennies, it’s not too much of an issue.

Also should I obtain from the UK, does anyone know if there’s any hot cards to use for earning some points at all ? I’m not sure if the Tesco prepaid debit card will give ClubCard points, I’m also unsure about the JL cc as well…

Anyone who’s got any good ideas, please say below thanks !

[John]

UK high street bureaux de change may not charge commission, but their rate will be bad.

Compare their advertised rates to the MasterCard rate at https://www.mastercard.com/global/en/personal/get-support/convert-currency.html and estimate what the ATM fee might be.

You can avoid interest on clarity by paying it off straight away, even if you do it on the day the transaction posts, I’ve never been charged interest.

[davefl]

The only issue you may hit is that the US ATM limit may be less than $500 depending on the bank. Fees are typically $2-$7 but you can find certain ATMs that don’t charge such as those of credit unions.

That fee will be less than the poor exchange rate you’d get here in the UK but convenience is key here, if you’re only there overnight will you want to risk having to search around for an ATM and funding your CC account same day to save interest against having the cash in your pocket before you arrive.

[BBbetter]

If you decide to get currency before travelling, Thomson exchange usually has the best rates and has a few outlets in the City.

[BBbetter]

JL gives you points for buying forex on their card, but the rate will be poor.

[Alex G]

Do you have time to apply for a Chase Account before you go? Chase do not charge you for withdrawing cash from one of their ATMs, and there are loads of branches.

And if you buy anything with the Chase Debit card, you get 1pc cashback.

Chase give a near perfect exchange rate on foreign transactions.

[paulg0]

BBbetter wrote:

If you decide to get currency before travelling, Thomson exchange usually has the best rates and has a few outlets in the City.

Actually Thomas Exchange: here

[yonasl]

I always use my Halifax clarity abroad and the FX rate is excerpt. The only charge may be from the ATM itself (just like if you used one at a corner shop in the UK).

My advice will be:
– don’t bother using exchange services either int he UK or abroad. Find a cash machine when you land

– you sometimes need to try a few if one is clearly indicating it will change you a commission

– once you take the money. Check the Halifax app and transfer the amount in £. That way they won’t be charging you interests

I have done this in both developed and emerging countries and never had the need to use an exchange service since.

[Froggee]

https://travelmoney.moneysavingexpert.com/?source=MS&utm_source=moneysupermarket.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=travelmoney

The best rates are around 1.25. Some charge for delivery depending on your order size but all in you should manage less than 2% from the spot rate. Personally

Given that your saving is likely $10 max, save yourself the hassle and get it delivered before going.

Or you can walk about, trying to find a competitive ATM and maybe save a few dollars. Or maybe not.

[TooPoorToBeHere]

In general I draw cash abroad using a UK card with no fees – paid curve card for example.

However, I once landed at a remote foreign airport to find no UK cards would work, at all, and my UK phones wouldn’t roam, and I was VERY stuck. Since then I take some local money.

The MSE link in the post above is very good and is what I use when I don’t have cash on-hand already before departing.

[Andrew.]

Just baffled why you’d need $500 in cash for an overnight stopover in New York.

I think I’ve spent about $6 in cash in total over the last 4 US visits, and maybe used a quarter (returned) for lockers. Everything else is card, even hotel laundry machines now.

[Gagravarr]

Chase give you the mastercard rate, don’t charge other fees, and don’t charge to use their own ATMs. (£500/day or £1500/month limit)

https://www.chase.co.uk/gb/en/support/travel-with-chase/

Not sure if there’ll be a Chase ATM near where you’re going, but it’s a good option if there is one!

[scholar wong]

Andrew. wrote:

Just baffled why you’d need $500 in cash for an overnight stopover in New York.

I think I’ve spent about $6 in cash in total over the last 4 US visits, and maybe used a quarter (returned) for lockers. Everything else is card, even hotel laundry machines now.

😉

[davefl]

Andrew. wrote:

Just baffled why you’d need $500 in cash for an overnight stopover in New York.

I think I’ve spent about $6 in cash in total over the last 4 US visits, and maybe used a quarter (returned) for lockers. Everything else is card, even hotel laundry machines now.

Slight exaggeration, not all hotel laundry machines in the USA take card. Last two I used in Dec at different hotels wanted 4 quarters only. One hotel reception was almost out of them so I traded them $7 in notes for my stash that I didn’t want to bring home.

I spent aroound $1400 in cash on my last twp trips. Still hunting four quarters for my national park commemorative set,

[Reney]

If you are only staying for short stay and you know for sure you will need cash I would probably get the cash before I go to save yourself looking for cash machine and maybe finding several that doesn’t work very well or find that they won’t accept your card.

$500 will not get you very much point, so I would just choose the option that is the easiest for you.

[BBbetter]

Andrew. wrote:

Just baffled why you’d need $500 in cash for an overnight stopover in New York.

I think I’ve spent about $6 in cash in total over the last 4 US visits, and maybe used a quarter (returned) for lockers. Everything else is card, even hotel laundry machines now.

Is that excluding tips? They probably wrote a note in your immigration details “this person doesnt tip in cash, dont allow in next time”.

[can2]

I use multicurrency cards/accounts like Wise or Revolut, and withdraw at my destination.
As a matter of fact, in the US, I don’t even remember the last time I used cash — card acceptance rate is very high there as you may know, if you remain urban.

[Alex G]

We had long vacations in the US in 2022 and 2023, and I was surprised how many places still only took cash. I haven’t used cash in the UK since before the pandemic. In 2022, I had hoped to be cashless. Checking out of the first hotel in DC, the doorman insisted on putting my suitcase into the Uber for me. I did say to him, “that’s OK, I’ll do that, I don’t have any cash” to which he replied “no problem Sir, I get a salary!”. Words I never thought I would hear from someone providing a service in the US.

We didn’t need a lot of cash, but spent about $100 a week. Biggest item was Jim’s Cheesesteak in Philly, which was cash only and came to about $60.

[ChrisBCN]

If you do decide to use an ATM, you can check the airports website for the location and operator of the ATM (for fees) and plan which to use. Might be more efficient than looking around wherever you are headed.

[strickers]

As mentioned above, if you have time get a Chase current account, zero fees for cash from a Chase account and zero fees when using it for spending. It’s also working very well as a generic travel card, it’s been reliable for me in the USA, Canada, Europe, Vietnam, Cambodia and Hong Kong.

[JonathanC]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I think I’m just going to order when I get home, since the ATM fees will just about wipe out any saving, plus if I buy from John Lewis, I can use my credit card of theirs I’ve got and earn some points on top