UK v Canadian Credit Card When Travelling to US
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Kelowna, BC
Posts: 3
UK v Canadian Credit Card When Travelling to US
I am visiting the USA shortly and wondered if anyone had an opinion on which credit card would be best to use, my Canadian one, or my UK one and pay the bill in Sterling.
#2
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: UK v Canadian Credit Card When Travelling to US
The one in the currency with the best exchange rate against the USD?
#3
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: UK v Canadian Credit Card When Travelling to US
You you pay the bill in sterling, unquestionably the UK one. Otherwise you'll get hit twice with the FX rate.
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 32
Re: UK v Canadian Credit Card When Travelling to US
I use the Sears Mastercard (Canada).
It has no annual fee.
Has Rewards Points
and the best part....
It does not charge the additional 2.5% exchange USA to Canadian Dollar that other cards do. (except perhaps Amazon's)
We travel to the US a lot and find the exchange rate is always better using the Sears Mastercard. I've compared purchases made the same day to the rate charged by my other MasterCard and Visa.
It has no annual fee.
Has Rewards Points
and the best part....
It does not charge the additional 2.5% exchange USA to Canadian Dollar that other cards do. (except perhaps Amazon's)
We travel to the US a lot and find the exchange rate is always better using the Sears Mastercard. I've compared purchases made the same day to the rate charged by my other MasterCard and Visa.
#5
Andrew
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 767
Re: UK v Canadian Credit Card When Travelling to US
I use my UK Santander Zero card for purchases in Canada or any other country.
No fee
No currency transaction fees
You get the market rate, sometimes more
You can load it up and take out cash from a machine anywhere, with no charges or interest, as long as the account is in credit.
I would advise any expat to get hold of one of there cards, but you may have to apply for it before you leave the UK?
Regards
Drew
No fee
No currency transaction fees
You get the market rate, sometimes more
You can load it up and take out cash from a machine anywhere, with no charges or interest, as long as the account is in credit.
I would advise any expat to get hold of one of there cards, but you may have to apply for it before you leave the UK?
Regards
Drew
#6
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: SW Calgary
Posts: 776
Re: UK v Canadian Credit Card When Travelling to US
I use the Sears Mastercard (Canada).
It has no annual fee.
Has Rewards Points
and the best part....
It does not charge the additional 2.5% exchange USA to Canadian Dollar that other cards do. (except perhaps Amazon's)
We travel to the US a lot and find the exchange rate is always better using the Sears Mastercard. I've compared purchases made the same day to the rate charged by my other MasterCard and Visa.
It has no annual fee.
Has Rewards Points
and the best part....
It does not charge the additional 2.5% exchange USA to Canadian Dollar that other cards do. (except perhaps Amazon's)
We travel to the US a lot and find the exchange rate is always better using the Sears Mastercard. I've compared purchases made the same day to the rate charged by my other MasterCard and Visa.
Can anyone confirm?
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 32
Re: UK v Canadian Credit Card When Travelling to US
We were in the USA for 6 weeks.
These are a sample of the rates copied from my online statements that Sears MasterCard charged me.
I've added the numbers in brackets that are the Bank of Canada Noon rates.
Jan 19/2015 1.204631380 (1.1947)
Jan 28/2015 1.250275634 (1.2520)
Feb 06/2015 1.255674103 (1.2524)
Feb 16/2015 1.253540683 (1.2418)
Mar 03/2015 1.251333333 (1.2490)
My other MasterCards and Visa trial purchases were around 1.284 in February.
Niloc.
These are a sample of the rates copied from my online statements that Sears MasterCard charged me.
I've added the numbers in brackets that are the Bank of Canada Noon rates.
Jan 19/2015 1.204631380 (1.1947)
Jan 28/2015 1.250275634 (1.2520)
Feb 06/2015 1.255674103 (1.2524)
Feb 16/2015 1.253540683 (1.2418)
Mar 03/2015 1.251333333 (1.2490)
My other MasterCards and Visa trial purchases were around 1.284 in February.
Niloc.
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 32
Re: UK v Canadian Credit Card When Travelling to US
Hey Photoplex,
I was skeptical too until I applied and got the card last year.
Check Sears Financial Website.
Benefits
So far we are happy.
Let's hope Sears Canada does not fold!
The card is actually JP Morgan Chase Bank.
Cheers...Niloc.
I was skeptical too until I applied and got the card last year.
Check Sears Financial Website.
Benefits
So far we are happy.
Let's hope Sears Canada does not fold!
The card is actually JP Morgan Chase Bank.
Cheers...Niloc.
#10
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Maple Ridge, Super Natural British Columbia
Posts: 2,071
Re: UK v Canadian Credit Card When Travelling to US
I have the Sears (Voyage) Mastercard.
I originally only applied for this for a laugh (thinking I would get refused as a TFW), but they gave me a decent credit limit!
I was sceptical about their exchange rate, but it's all good. They use the Mastercard forex rate.
The points give useful discounts at Sears too.
I think all the Chase-provided cards have zero forex fee (Amazon's is provided by Chase too).
I originally only applied for this for a laugh (thinking I would get refused as a TFW), but they gave me a decent credit limit!
I was sceptical about their exchange rate, but it's all good. They use the Mastercard forex rate.
The points give useful discounts at Sears too.
I think all the Chase-provided cards have zero forex fee (Amazon's is provided by Chase too).
Last edited by withabix; Mar 24th 2015 at 3:38 am.
#11
Re: UK v Canadian Credit Card When Travelling to US
Yeah it really just depends on which card has the best terms.
For ages we were using our MetroBank UK card when we went to the US as there was no fee for international transactions, and no load on the exchange rage. They changed that policy last year, though, so instead we opened up an Amazon Canada credit card, which doesn't charge fees or loads for US transactions, and we use that card when we go to the US. For cash withdrawals we still use the MetroBank card as the fees are lowest for ATMs.
For ages we were using our MetroBank UK card when we went to the US as there was no fee for international transactions, and no load on the exchange rage. They changed that policy last year, though, so instead we opened up an Amazon Canada credit card, which doesn't charge fees or loads for US transactions, and we use that card when we go to the US. For cash withdrawals we still use the MetroBank card as the fees are lowest for ATMs.
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 92
Re: UK v Canadian Credit Card When Travelling to US
Depends on the Card you are using and the benefits.
I could think of many reasons using a Canadian card in the Us would be better when you paying the Bill in £.
I know My Friend in Vancouver uses her Halifax clarity card over her Canadian card in Vancouver just because she gets a better deal that way even though she Earns In Canadian Dollars.
I could think of many reasons using a Canadian card in the Us would be better when you paying the Bill in £.
I know My Friend in Vancouver uses her Halifax clarity card over her Canadian card in Vancouver just because she gets a better deal that way even though she Earns In Canadian Dollars.
#13
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Christina Lake. BC
Posts: 674
Re: UK v Canadian Credit Card When Travelling to US
I have the Sears (Voyage) Mastercard.
I originally only applied for this for a laugh (thinking I would get refused as a TFW), but they gave me a decent credit limit!
I was sceptical about their exchange rate, but it's all good. They use the Mastercard forex rate.
The points give useful discounts at Sears too.
I think all the Chase-provided cards have zero forex fee (Amazon's is provided by Chase too).
I originally only applied for this for a laugh (thinking I would get refused as a TFW), but they gave me a decent credit limit!
I was sceptical about their exchange rate, but it's all good. They use the Mastercard forex rate.
The points give useful discounts at Sears too.
I think all the Chase-provided cards have zero forex fee (Amazon's is provided by Chase too).
#15
Re: UK v Canadian Credit Card When Travelling to US
And the answer is... get a USD credit card from your Canadian bank. Then there is no exchange rate. Get a USD account, deposit money in it when you like the exchange rate and use that to pay off the credit card. Preferably go back in time two years and do it, because it's too late now...
You can even get a US credit card if you can be bothered with the hassle.
You can even get a US credit card if you can be bothered with the hassle.