MSE News
Barclaycard cans free overseas spending on top-pick Platinum Cashback Plus card
Customers who apply for the Barclaycard Platinum Cashback Plus card from 24 June will pay a fee every time they buy something or withdraw cash overseas – but if you got the card before this you'll continue to be able to use it for free abroad.
The card was previously our top pick for overseas spending, as it was fee-free for use abroad and unlike other cards, if you paid off your balance in full each month, you wouldn't be charged interest on overseas cash withdrawals – as long as you let Barclaycard do the conversion for you and not the local ATM.
New applicants will pay a non-sterling transaction fee of 2.99% when they buy something or withdraw cash overseas. If you applied for a card previously, it will it still be fee-free until 31 August 2023.
Which card is now best for overseas spending?
If you want fee-free spending overseas, there are several options out there.
The Tandem credit card has no fees for overseas spending as long as you repay IN FULL every month, but unlike Barclaycard's previous offer you'll pay interest on any cash withdrawals until you repay. As an added bonus, you earn 0.5% cashback when you spend at least £1 on the card abroad and in the UK. This is credited to your account on each statement date. It has a representative APR of 18.9%.
If you're not keen on a credit card, Starling Bank's* debit card has no non-sterling transaction or cash withdrawal fees worldwide. It's easier to get than a credit card and Starling won't do a full credit check on you if you don't request an overdraft, so it could be a good option if you don't want other lenders to see it on your file.
See our Best Travel Cards for our other top picks.
What does Barclaycard say?
Barclaycard would not confirm it had plans to launch a card with similar fee-free features in the near future.
A spokesperson said: "We have been trialling different versions of the Barclaycard Platinum Cashback card since November 2018. For the most recent stage of our trial, we are testing a version which offers 0.25% cashback on everyday spend."
MSE weekly email
FREE weekly MoneySaving email
For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today – it's spam-free!
Join the MSE Forum discussion
Related Articles
-
Amazon Classic or Platinum holder? Your credit card will stop working sooner than expected - here's what's happening
6 September 2022![]()
Amazon has brought forward the date from which its Classic and Platinum Mastercards will stop working. Users had previously been told they had until January 2023 to continue using the cards before they were axed. But for some, this deadline has been moved to October, and for others to November. -
Asda shoppers can earn cashback with new rewards card – here’s how it stacks up
15 August 2022![]()
Asda has teamed up with Jaja Finance to launch the Asda Money Credit Card, which offers cashback on purchases at Asda and elsewhere. The cashback can only spent at Asda though. Below we explain the pros and cons and compare the new deal to other rewards options - where it's largely beaten. -
Barclaycard launches the market's longest 0% spending card in over two years - here's how it compares
6 July 2022![]()
Barclaycard has launched the longest 0% spending credit card we've seen since May 2020, giving some 25 months interest-free spending - though not all will get the headline rate. If you NEED to borrow, 0% spending cards are the cheapest way – here's how it compares. -
Travelling abroad? Santander offers 1% cashback on overseas spending – but watch out for exchange fees
13 June 2022![]()
New and existing Mastercard credit card customers at Santander are now able to earn 1% cashback on overseas spending but the option will still be overly expensive for many with most of the bank's cards charging a 2.95% exchange fee. Here's everything you need to know.
26 September 2023
-
Martin: It's Meter Reading Week
His 9 energy need-to-knows
-
Martin's savers alert
After base rate freeze
-
Grab 1.5yrs' FREE family insurance
Travel, mobile & breakdown
-
FREE Greggs pizza slice & hot drink
Normally up to £4
-
14,000 Vax codes
Incl £400 cordless for £100
-
Mortgage rates are falling
Is now the time to fix?
-
Now FOUR banks pay you to switch
Up to a FREE £210
-
Read the full email
For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today – it's spam-free!
-
E.on Next to cut winter bills by up to 50% for some customers on low incomes – here's what's happening
2 October 2023![]()
E.on Next is launching a new support scheme for some of its existing customers on low incomes or with medical needs. -
EDF Energy to cut bills for some by £30 this winter – Martin Lewis welcomes move but says 'it's not a game-changer'
29 September 2023![]()
EDF Energy will cut bills by £30 for some 260,000 of its customers who get the Government's Warm Home Discount this winter. -
Martin and MSE among organisations calling for energy social tariff as millions expected to struggle with bills this winter
29 September 2023![]()
The Government must urgently introduce an energy social tariff to prevent millions of households from falling into fuel poverty this winter, consumer organisations including MoneySavingExpert have said. -
Train strike refund rights as Northern, Southeastern, Thameslink and more set for week of disruption
28 September 2023![]()
Rail users in England, Scotland and Wales face disruption over the coming week as workers across multiple train operators, including Northern, Southeastern, Thameslink and more, take strike action and refuse to work overtime. -
Mortgage rates fall as Bank of England unexpectedly holds UK rates – so should you fix?
26 September 2023![]()
Interest rates on fixed mortgage deals have been edging down over the past few weeks with some five and 10-year fixes now at below 5%.
-
Martin Lewis: Is it time to ban unnecessary Christmas presents?
11 September 2023![]()
Update September 2017: It’s eight years since I first braved this subject, expecting a snowstorm of protest. Instead, year after year more join in, like Julia who recently tweeted me, “@MartinSLewis, finally took your advice and told my family I can’t afford Christmas presents. What a weight off my mind. Thank you.” One year even the Archbishop of... -
Martin Lewis: Five things all new English university starters should know
4 September 2023![]()
The 2023 academic year is about to start, and it'll see the biggest shake-up to student finance in England for a decade. The changes are both subtle and massive. On the surface they look like a tweak, in practice they will increase the eventual cost of going to university by over 50% for many typical graduates.
Clever ways to calculate your finances
