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Halifax Clarity Card review 2020

Chris Lilly

Last updated: Apr 27, 2020

If you plan to use your card overseas at merchants and atms, but aren’t so keen on the fees, this popular card has become the go-to. But many people don't realise that non-sterling cash advances won't benefit from the usual “up to 56 days” interest-free.

You say: ★★★★★We say: ★★★★★

Potential costs: 4/5
Doing its job: 4.5/5
Extras: 3.5/5

In a nutshell:

No fees on cash withdrawals and transactions overseas.

Cash withdrawals overseas will start to accrue interest from the day the funds leave your account.

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 19.95% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 19.9% APR (variable).

Balance transfer fee

19.9%

Representative APR

Foreign transaction charge

£0

Account fee

Details

Issuer	Bank of Scotland
Network	Mastercard
Annual/monthly fees	£0
Balance transfers	19.95%
Balance transfer fee	0%
Purchases	19.95%
Purchases interest-free period	Up to 56 days
Cash advances	19.95%
Min credit limit	£0
Max credit limit	Not specified
Additional cards available	1

Annual/monthly fees	£0
Minimum monthly payment	2.5% or £5 (whichever is greater) or the total of any interest, default fees and charges plus 1% of the outstanding balance.
Balance transfer fee	0%
Foreign usage charge (EU)	0%
Foreign usage charge (rest of world)	0%
Cash advance fee	0%
Late payment fee	£12
Duplicate statement fee	£0
Exceeding limit fee	£0
Additional card fee	£0
Replacement card fee	£0
Dormancy fee	£0

Expert review

Review by

Chris Lilly

chris.lilly@finder.com

Chris Lilly is a publisher at finder.com. He's a specialist in credit-based products including business and personal loans, mortgages and credit cards, and is passionate about helping UK consumers make informed decisions about their borrowing. In his spare time Chris likes forcing his kids to exercise more.

Expert review

The Halifax Clarity Credit Card is one of the most popular cards on the market for taking overseas, with zero fees on spending abroad. Cards like the Clarity card use Mastercard currency conversion rates, so as well as swerving the fees, you can rest assured that the charges haven’t simply been hidden in an inflated exchange rate.

If you do opt to take this card away on your next trip, just bear in mind that if you use it to withdraw cash, the local ATM may still charge you a fee. If you’re outside of the EU, some merchants might also levy a surcharge on credit card transactions.

There’s one other important catch to note too: If you withdraw cash overseas, it’ll start to accrue interest from the day the funds leave your account (it won’t benefit from the grace period that applies to regular purchases if you clear your balance in full each month).

If you do opt for the Clarity, whenever you’re presented with the option to pay in the local currency or for the local merchant/bank to convert your funds to the local currency for you, choose to pay in the local currency (otherwise the it will be the local bank or merchant whose currency conversion fee structure will apply, rather than your card issuer’s).

Being a Mastercard, you’ll be able to use it at over 43 million locations worldwide. Plus, as a little bonus, you’ll have access to exclusive entertainment and travel experiences through the Mastercard Pricless Cities programme.

If, however, you’re planning to use the card for anything other than overseas spending, there are probably more suitable cards available from both Halifax and other card issuers.

Pros and cons

Pros

No foreign transaction fees on purchases.
No cash withdrawal fees when you're abroad (on any other card, this would be one of the worst things you could do).
No annual fee.

Cons

Cash advances at home or abroad don't benefit from interest-free days (and "cash advances" includes buying foreign currency).
No 0% introductory offers.
No rewards.
Balance transfer fee.

Road test: The Clarity in action

We took the Clarity Card to Paris and spent 100 Euros in one transaction to see if it’s as good as its word. Yes, we know – tough job, but somebody’s got to do it etc.

According to Mastercard’s currency conversion calculator, on that day the exchange rate was .8485 pounds to the Euro. In other words, our €100 lunch should have cost us £84.85.

The Halifax clarity credit card lying on a restaurant bill on a saucer in a restaurant — Putting the Clarity to the test in Paris Finder UK

Screeshot of the Mastercard online currency conversion tool — The true cost of an omelette-based lunch in Paris, according to Mastercard Finder UK

Screenshot of a credit card payment in Halifax's online banking — Halifax agreeing with Mastercard’s currency conversion calculation – to the penny Finder UK

…and sure enough, when the transaction appeared in the account’s online banking facility moments later, it had indeed been charged at £84.85.

Our waiter never offered to bill us in Sterling. If he had, we would have said no, since we knew Halifax wouldn’t charge forex fees, while the restaurant’s bank might.

The credit card balance was was paid off in full by direct debit shortly after, so the lunch never accrued any interest. All in all, the card delivered on what it promised.

How does this card compare?

Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first

Name	Purchases rate	Foreign transaction fee	Foreign cash transaction fee	Interest-free days on foreign transactions	Interest-free days on foreign cash transactions	Representative example
Ulster Bank Credit Card Mastercard	9.9%	0%	3% (min. £3)	Up to 56 days	0 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 9.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 9.9% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
The Royal Bank Credit Card	9.9%	0%	3% (min. £3)	Up to 56 days	0 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 9.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 9.9% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
The NatWest Credit Card	9.9%	0%	3% (min. £3)	Up to 56 days	0 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 9.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 9.9% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Metro Bank Personal Credit Card Mastercard	14.9%	0% within the EU and 2.99% in other countries	0%	0 days	0 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 14.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 14.9% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Santander Zero Credit Card Mastercard	0% for 12 months reverting to 18.9%	0%	0%	Up to 56 days	0 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 18.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 18.9% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Nationwide Member Credit Card All Rounder Offer	0% for 15 months reverting to 19.9%	0%	2.5% (min. £3)	Up to 56 days	0 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 19.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 19.9% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Nationwide Member Credit Card Balance Transfer Offer	0% for 3 months reverting to 19.9%	0%	2.5% (min. £3)	Up to 56 days	0 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 19.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 19.9% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Halifax Clarity Credit Card Mastercard	19.95%	0%	0%	Up to 56 days	0 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 19.95% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 19.9% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Santander All in One Credit Card Mastercard	0% for 26 months reverting to 15.9%	0%	3% (min. £3)	Up to 56 days	0 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 15.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £3 per month, your representative rate is 21.7% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Virgin Money 22 Month Balance Transfer Credit Card Mastercard	0% for 3 months reverting to 21.9%	0% within the EU and 2.99% in other countries	5%	0 days	0 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 21.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 21.9% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Virgin Money 20 Month Balance Transfer Credit Card Mastercard	0% for 3 months reverting to 21.9%	0% within the EU and 2.99% in other countries	5%	0 days	0 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 21.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 21.9% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Virgin Money 18 Month All Round Credit Card Mastercard	0% for 15 months reverting to 21.9%	0% within the EU and 2.99% in other countries	5%	0 days	0 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 21.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 21.9% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Virgin Money Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card	22.9%	0% within the EU and 2.99% in other countries	5%	0 days	0 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 22.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 22.9% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Barclaycard Rewards Visa	22.9%	0%	0%	Up to 56 days	Up to 56 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 22.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 22.9% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Post Office Money® Travel Credit Card Mastercard	24.93%	0%	3% (min. £3)	Up to 56 days	0 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.93% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Virgin Money 16 Month Balance Transfer Credit Card Mastercard	0% for 3 months reverting to 27.9%	0% within the EU and 2.99% in other countries	5%	0 days	0 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 27.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 27.9% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Virgin Money 12 Month All Round Credit Card Mastercard	0% for 12 months reverting to 27.9%	0% within the EU and 2.99% in other countries	5%	0 days	0 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 27.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 27.9% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
118 118 Money Guaranteed Rate Card	34%	0%	0%	Up to 51 days	Up to 51 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 34% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 34% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
aqua Advance Mastercard	34.95%	0%	3% (min. £3)	Up to 48 days	0 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 34.95% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 34.9% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Tesco Bank Clubcard Plus Credit Card Mastercard	0% for 24 months reverting to 19.944%	0%	3.99% (min. £3)	Up to 56 days	0 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 19.944% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £7.99 per month, your representative rate is 37.7% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Santander World Elite Mastercard	0% for 18 months reverting to 18.9%	0%	3% (min. £3)	Up to 56 days	0 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 18.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £15 per month, your representative rate is 49.8% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Virgin Money Virgin Atlantic Reward Plus Credit Card	22.9%	0% within the EU and 2.99% in other countries	5%	0 days	0 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 22.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £160 per annum, your representative rate is 63.9% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Coutts and Co Silk Charge Mastercard	N/A (this product is a charge card).	0%	2% (min. £1.5)	0 days	0 days		View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Coutts & Co Silk Credit Card Visa	14.71%	0%	2% (min. £1.5)	0 days	0 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 14.71% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 14.7% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
NatWest Reward Black Credit Card Mastercard	18.9%	0%	3% (min. £3)	Up to 56 days	0 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 18.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £84 per annum. Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum, your representative rate is 37.1% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Royal Bank of Scotland Reward Black Credit Card Mastercard	18.9%	0%	3% (min. £3)	Up to 56 days	0 days	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 18.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £84 per annum. Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum, your representative rate is 37.1% APR (variable).	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

Compare up to 4 providers

Approval for any credit card will depend on your status. The APR shown represents the interest rate offered to most successful applicants. Depending on your personal circumstances the APR you're offered may be higher, or you may not be offered credit at all. Fees and rates are subject to change without notice. It's always wise to check the terms of any deal before you borrow.

Repayment options

When it comes to repayments, you can make manual repayments online or over the phone (0345 944 4555), or alternatively set up a direct debit. A direct debit is a great idea because it protects you from forgetting to make a repayment and either damaging your credit score, getting hit with a penalty fee or losing any promotional rates as a result. You can arrange a direct debit for repayments when you apply for the credit card. The table below shows the options available.

Choose from the following direct debit options for your monthly repayments:

Minimum amount	Fixed amount	Fixed percentage	Full amount

How to apply for the Halifax Clarity

If you’ve compared cards and want to apply, completing the secure online application form takes about 15 minutes. Before you apply, check that you meet the eligibility requirements and have the information and documents you’ll need to make the process as straightforward as possible.

Frequently asked questions

No, this is no longer necessary. You can use any Halifax credit or debit cards worldwide now, without having to give the bank a heads-up beforehand. Halifax does state, however, that you should ensure it has an up to date mobile number to contact you on (in case it’s worried about suspicious card use).
Always carry a back-up means of payment when you’re abroad, and if you need to contact Halifax while you’re away, you can call +44 1733 573189.
The term “cash advance” is a catch-all for “cash-like” transactions. Deep in its T&Cs Halifax specifically mentions:
- Cash withdrawals – which can mean using an ATM or, say, getting cashback at the supermarket.
- Buying foreign currency – in other words using your card at a bureau de change to pay for foreign currency.
- Gambling transactions – which is banned on credit cards anyway as of April 2020. Bear in mind that any transactions (buying drinks, for example) in gambling establishments such as casinos or betting shops are liable to be treated as cash advances.
The Clarity’s cash advance fee is 0% but you will start paying interest on these transactions from the day they take place – even if you always pay your full balance off each month.

We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you.

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3 Comments

Pauline
July 5, 2020

Can you pay foreign utility bills with Halifax clarity card with an IBAN number and what are the charges involved

Reply
- finder Customer Care
  
  Tom
  July 7, 2020
  
  Hi Pauline,
  
  That’s an interesting question. It should be possible to pay your foreign utility bill using your Halifax Clarity credit card, but this is something you’ll need to confirm with both Halifax and your utility provider first.
  
  In terms of fees, the Halifax Clarity credit card offers zero fees when spending abroad, so you shouldn’t be charged on this transaction. However, the utility provider may also charge you a fee for using your credit card. If given the option, you should also choose to pay the bill using the local currency, as this helps you avoid currency conversion fees.
  
  As mentioned above, it’s best to check with Halifax directly to confirm if you’ll be able to use your card to pay your bill, and if so, what fees you’re likely to pay. I hope this helps, but please let me know if you have any other questions.
  
  Regards,
  
  Tom
  
  Reply
finder Customer Care

Tom
January 7, 2020

Hi Brian,

Thanks for your question. The Halifax Clarity card is part of the Mastercard network, which means it can be used in more than 70 million locations worldwide, including Prague.

You should be free to use the card anywhere that accepts Mastercard, whether it’s a supermarket, pub, restaurant, cafe or on public transport. You also won’t be charged any foreign transaction fees on any purchases you make abroad.

I hope this helps, but please get in touch if you have any other questions.

Thanks,

Tom

Reply

Minimum Age	18
Availability	Available to new customers

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