Kalkan Turkey Forum - EnjoyKalkan.com
Kalkan Discussion => Money & Finance => Topic started by: tuppy on August 08, 2012, 04:29:35 PM
-
I have just ordered the Halifax Clarity credit card which gives you 'no fee' withdrawals from ATMs worldwide and also offers a perfect exchange rate when paying for goods or services which should beat even the best rate you can get from a bureau de change here in the UK or in Kalkan.
Just wondered how many of the restaurants, supermarkets and shops now accept card payments and also how many ATMs are lying around Kalkan?
I normally just take sterling and change up over there but after the recent reports of burglaries i thought this would help keep the amount of money we hold in the villa to a minimal and also looks like it might actually end up saving me money so long as the balance gets paid off in full on our return.
Found it on the money saving expert website, the travelmoneymax feature he has on there lets you find the best UK exchange rate and also gave me a heads up about these specialist credit cards for using abroad
-
Using cards in Kalkan is easy - they are widely accepted - and there are oodles of cashpoints around the town. The Clarity card sounds like a good deal BUT it is a credit card and as such interest is charged on cash withdrawals immediately so do be aware of that. From their web site: "There's no interest free period on cash advances, balance transfers or cheques."
-
I use a Clarity credit card in Kalkan. There are 9 ATMs, 6 at banks and 3 freestanding in the old town. When I get home I phone for my balance and pay straight away, I don't wait for the statement as the cash withdrawals incur interest daily. £750 drawn out as cash in July cost me £1 (interest charged for cash withdrawals but no fee). The cost of a new fridge freezer incured no charge.
-
is there also a "no fee" promise for transactions other than ATM withdrawal? If you used the card to pay for a meal or excursions will it incurr a charge, for example?
I prefer cash but take an emergency credit card which this year we used for medical treatment - the exchange rate was good but there was a fee for using it abroad so I would like to change to one that has no fees whatsoever. We paid off the balance in full so didn't incurr interest, just this nasty charge >:(
-
Yes we will definitely be paying the balance in full on our return and the interest charged on cash withdrawals is only 12.9% so as kalkan regular says the interest charged will be next to nothing.
I have just checked the website kalkan4eva and found this:
"What exchange rate will I be charged on transactions made abroad using the Clarity Credit Card?
The exchange rate is set by Mastercard at the time that you make the transaction. Halifax do not apply any loading, fees or charges to this rate"
You can find more info here http://www.halifax.co.uk/creditcards/low-rate-no-fee/clarity-card/ (http://www.halifax.co.uk/creditcards/low-rate-no-fee/clarity-card/) click on common queries and it answers most questions
-
thanks tuppy....good to know, just in case I have a handbag or jewellery emergency in the future :angel:
-
It's a great card. We changed to it when nationwide started to charge.
-
I stopped using my Nationwide Flex a/c debit card when they introduced charges for foreign cash withdrawals. Now though, I use it to take sterling out from the Garanti bank ATM and change it to TL somewhere in town. That way there is no charge for taking out your own money.
I also got the new Nationwide "Select" credit card which, like the Halifax's "Clarity" credit card, does not impose any charges or loading for use abroad in shops, restaurants or petrol stations. As the moneysavingexpert.com says, it is prudent to set up a direct debit to ensure that it is always cleared in full.
-
Hi,
Tuppy's first post on this thread caught my attention as he/she asked the same question I was going to ask:
"Just wondered how many of the restaurants, supermarkets and shops now accept card payments and also how many ATMs are lying around Kalkan?"
Whilst the responses so far have been useful and informative, they have gone slightly off topic as have mostly been around the financial impact of using cards as opposed to the actual question which is above... (eg charges etc).
Does anyone have any more views on how widely accepted cards are in Kalkan?
There's been some useful comments that there are several ATM etc which is very useful to know. How about the shops and Restos, do they typically take cards?
Thanks in advance.
Pete
-
Cards are widely accepted in restaurants and shops in Kalkan. I have used my card extensively in both!!!!
-
you do need to be careful though....there is another thread on here about some restaurants taking the payment twice...
BubblesG has the right idea, in my opinion.
-
Using credit card is a good idea and The Clarity cards appears to be like plenty BUT it is a bank cards and as such interest is billed on cash distributions instantly so do be conscious of that.
-
Anyone have any experience of using the SAGA Platinum Credit Card?
and second question. Is it 'street cred' to be seen in possession of a SAGA card? ???
"0% Foreign Currency Fees are applied to transactions
0% on purchases for the first 9 months*
0% on Balance Transfers for the first 9 months (3% Fee applies)*
0% interest on cash withdrawals**
Representative 11.9% APR (variable)
*Introductory Rate charged for the first 9 months on purchases and Balance Transfers from the date the account is opened. At the end of this period the Introductory Rate reverts to the Standard Interest Rate applicable to the product at the time. A Balance Transfer Fee of 3% applies.
**If the balance is always settled in full by the payment due date. After that, interest will be charged from the date the transaction is debited to your account. There is a 2% Fee (minimum £2) for each Cash Advance, whether it is made abroad or in the UK."
...and no, I don't work or have anything to do with SAGA!
B
-
It's a great card. We changed to it when nationwide started to charge.
ditto. Very glad we did.