Best Credit Card for 2 weeks in Norway
Discussion
I'm taking the family on holiday for 2 weeks in Norway. Our UK debit & credit cards aren't recommended for use overseas with higher charges on transactions. I'm looking for a credit card to use for 2 weeks and then pay off. We wont be withdrawing cash from machines as we've been told that most places in Norway are now card only.
The bit of research I've done before getting confused seems to suggest something like a Barclay Card Rewards Visa.
Can anyone help with some advice?
Thanks
Jon
Cant offer advice on specific credit/debit cards, but Norway is pretty much cashless.
Have been going for work repeatedly over several years for weeks at a time, and can safely say I've never even seen the physical currency.
NB Norweigen Krone has been dropping relative to GBP so as far as Norway goes, it's relatively "cheap"* at the moment.
*not cheap at all.. but relative to 2-3 years ago it is
Have been going for work repeatedly over several years for weeks at a time, and can safely say I've never even seen the physical currency.
NB Norweigen Krone has been dropping relative to GBP so as far as Norway goes, it's relatively "cheap"* at the moment.
*not cheap at all.. but relative to 2-3 years ago it is
I did a three week road trip with the family to Norway lasy year and with one exception didn't use physical currency or even a physical card at all - just my regular card via Apple Pay all the way. I don't know which specific card might be best however.
(The one exception was the Elbe river ferry, which was cash only and by pure luck my wife had just enough euros in her handbag, with a few cents left over for the kids to buy a lollipop on board.)
(The one exception was the Elbe river ferry, which was cash only and by pure luck my wife had just enough euros in her handbag, with a few cents left over for the kids to buy a lollipop on board.)
A simple option is a preload card like Caxton.
If you want something more like a traditional bank card, albeit debit rather than credit, look opening an account with a a "challenger" bank like Starling or Revolut. The advantage of these is you can transfer money in when the exchange rate looks best.
For Credit cards, Halifax Clarity is often recommended but I've not tried it. Santander's All In One card doesn't charge for foreign transactions, but there is a £3/month fee
If you want something more like a traditional bank card, albeit debit rather than credit, look opening an account with a a "challenger" bank like Starling or Revolut. The advantage of these is you can transfer money in when the exchange rate looks best.
For Credit cards, Halifax Clarity is often recommended but I've not tried it. Santander's All In One card doesn't charge for foreign transactions, but there is a £3/month fee
If you've got a First Direct account, that's fee free for overseas spending and at ATMs, otherwise use one of these;
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-tra...
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-tra...
Thanks for all the suggestions gents
However small fly in ointment.
I applied for a Halifax Clarity Credit card but was turned down.
I earn 50K, wife (who earns more) , 2 kids, small mortgage (sub 100k), no other debt. I have a credit card from my bank which I use online but pay off each month.
Phoned Halifax but no one could explain why, I have to request in writing.
Would have thought I'd have been a safe risk but apparently not.
Will look at a prepayment card.
Jon
Ussrcossack said:
Halifax Clarity credit card
No charges for use abroad and exchange rate is usually reasonable
It doesn't matter which card credit card you use as the same exchange rate as determined by the card provider i.e, it's either the VISA or Mastercard exchange rate. Some cc may charge a foreign transaction fee for usage, but many are free these days. The other differences are the reward scheme, maybe monthly/annual fee etc..No charges for use abroad and exchange rate is usually reasonable
https://wise.com/gb/blog/credit-card-best-currency...
HiAsAKite said:
NB Norweigen Krone has been dropping relative to GBP so as far as Norway goes, it's relatively "cheap"* at the moment.
*not cheap at all.. but relative to 2-3 years ago it is
I think the UK price rises and the FX rate moving to 14:1 are making Norway look semi respectable. They also don't have the silly tipping culture.*not cheap at all.. but relative to 2-3 years ago it is
A coffee is about NOK59 but then a cappuccino in London is £4. Lunch today in Bergen was NOK 200 a head for a panini with salad and a coke at a nice cafe..
Barclaycard Rewards Visa credit card is as good as Halifax Clarity credit card, and pays a small (0.25%) cashback. Can also be used with withdraw cash at ATMs without being charged interest if it's paid off in full on or before the due date. Obviously, at the ATM do not elect to be charged in GBP.
A Starling debit card is also very competitive.
A Starling debit card is also very competitive.
I have been using the Chase card, free overseas transactions, 1% cash back and zero problems
https://www.chase.co.uk/gb/en/?utm_source=google&a...
Everything is run off the app. Simples
https://www.chase.co.uk/gb/en/?utm_source=google&a...
Everything is run off the app. Simples
SuperCharged V6 said:
I have been using the Chase card, free overseas transactions, 1% cash back and zero problems
https://www.chase.co.uk/gb/en/?utm_source=google&a...
Everything is run off the app. Simples
Another vote for Chase, the added benefit is it's a normal debit card and your currency exchange rate isn't locked in like some of these preloaded cards. Another bonus is just about everywhere accepts MasterCard.https://www.chase.co.uk/gb/en/?utm_source=google&a...
Everything is run off the app. Simples
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