toots sweet

Just wanted a few updated suggestions on best and most economical credit cards around. Have looked at Santander and it doesn't have a card that would suit us. We are not in Portugal year round but spend 5/6 months there,so are looking for something that doesn't charge if you don't spend a minimum amount each month(like Santander charges for its debit card).
Thanks

guesswork

If you are after a UK card the Halifax Clarity is very good You get a good exchange rate and no charges on taking money out of ATMs

toots sweet

Sorry I should have been clearer...Looking for a Portuguese card.

MrBife

Lots of other options if you can manage with a Debit Card as opposed to a Credit Card. If you decide you can, then N26 Bank, Starling Bank, Transferwise and Activo Bank + others all have no charge, euro currency, debit card products.

Loafing Along

Novo Banco charge €65,- a year flat rate.

MrBife

Activo Bank (Portuguese and part of Millennium BCP) is free.

RichardHenshall

What do you need from a Portuguese credit card over any other Portuguese debit card or any other euro-denominated card?

toots sweet

Thanks Mr Bife.. I will look at Activo. I already have a debit card,using a credit card will hopefully give me about 4 weeks free credit............

Ukkram

Can one purchase flight tickets online with a DR card? Or buy stuff on ebay or amazon? I doubt it.

Rosemary

I have only ever had Debit cards in Spain and the UK which I have always used on e-bay, Amazon and other sites and never had any problems at all. My bank manager (Spain) told me that you cannot purchase flight tickets with one though, never tried so I will be interested to hear what others say.

Rosemary

RichardHenshall

The Portuguese banks offer a virtual credit card linked (internally) to your account through the MBNet system that fills the online shopping gap.

BillBullock

I got fed up with the operation of the virtual credit card. I went for a Novo Banco credit card with a 500 Euro limit. There are no charges if you repay the bill in full every month.

macliam

If not in Portugal year round I don't see the point of a Portuguese credit card........
I have an MB card from my bank for Debit and ATM use, but also use a Metro bank account for charge-free Debit and ATM use in Euros at Mastercard exchange rates..... I can easily transfer cash into the account online, as and when needed. Then I had a Saga Visa credit card which allowed charge-free Euro purchases at the prevailing VISA exchange rate, but they are stopping at the end of this month - so I too have arranged a Halifax clarity card to replace it. No issues buying tickets with any of them - but you can also use PayPal on a number of sites as well.