topic Re: Debit Card vs. Credi Card - International Use - and Barclay Question in Credit Cards

Debit Card vs. Credi Card - International Use - and Barclay Question

changingmantra2 — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 19:06:39 GMT

Hello All -

I am just wondering if it would be better to use a credit card or a debit card during a vacation out of the country. I have two cards with no FTFs: Discover and Barclays Arrival +. Also, does anyone know if debit cards have FTFs? I thought of taking my Chase debit card with me just in case. I could not find anything on line about it. I have been trying to avoid long wait times on the phone.

On a different note - in going over Arrival + statement this week, I noticed that Barclays charged me over $16,00 in interest - even though my statement shows that I paid the full balance of the previous statement. I noticed that this happened a few months ago, but I did not call them. I am have been on hold to get through to someone for seveal minutes now, however. I always thought that so long as I paid the total of the statement balance, I would not have to pay any interest. Is this not the case?

Re: Debit Card vs. Credi Card - International Use - and Barclay Question

Kutuzov — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 19:24:20 GMT

Don't know about the debit FTF.

The same happened to me with Barclay. Got a $1500 balance paid $1600 and got an interest. I called and they took it. What it is maybe you didn't pay the previous bill in full. Say you paid 1000 out of 1500. Now the remaining 500 acquire interest from day of purchase, so say it was for 15 days, plus the 30 days grace period. In the meantime you get a new bill and pif. The 500 that generated interest still do a bit more damage cause they are no longer on the grace period, even if you pay in full a small interest will generate. You call Barclay and they will void it rather than explain all that, I have done it plenty of times!!

Re: Debit Card vs. Credi Card - International Use - and Barclay Question

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 19:28:22 GMT

RIght, if you ever pay less than full, it generally takes two cycles of PIF to stop interest charges. Amex calls this Residual Interest and explains it on their statements.

Re: Debit Card vs. Credi Card - International Use - and Barclay Question

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 19:38:36 GMT

I can literally see Mexico from the highway. SoCal.

So, when I've traveled in the past, I carried cash, traveler's checks.

NOW thanks to the Credit Card Mavens of this forum, I carry Cap1 and NFCU GoRewards for that purpose, no FTF. Feel a lot safer.

I never felt felt safe using my debit cards in Mexico, Carribean or Canada. Planning a trip in a year or 2 to Taiwan, gonna do that there as well.

Re: Debit Card vs. Credi Card - International Use - and Barclay Question

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 20:11:37 GMT

My debit card has virtually been SD'ed with the exception of ATM purposes (valet tips). Other than that, there is never a reason for me to use it. Your Arrival+ should supersede your debit card when travelling (that's its primary niche).

Re: Debit Card vs. Credi Card - International Use - and Barclay Question

changingmantra2 — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 20:48:27 GMT

Thanks All -

I just wanted to make sure. I am going to take Barclaysa and Discover - and a bit of cash and call it a day.

I spoke with a rep from Barclays - who essentially said that although I made 3 payments - amounting to my $1800 + statement balance - my last payment came in two days after my new bill cut. I asked - well if that is the case - why under "payments" - it shows a total of all three payments including the one you said came in after my new statement cut? On this end - it readds that I paid the statement balance in full and on time. It makes no sense to me - but - hey - they got $16.00 in interest from me and I will move on. However, I paid this statement's balance in full ASA I got off the phone!