Grab fee-free holiday credit cards today

FAMILIES planning an Easter getaway should apply for a fee-free credit card now.

It’s five weeks until the holiday, but it can take up to a month to sort out a new credit card.

Most holidaymakers are charged every time they use their debit or credit card abroad. But these fees can be avoided with a little planning.

Most banks charge you 2.99 pc of the transaction whenever you buy something or use a cash machine abroad.

Some also have a minimum charge of £2 each time you spend.

Rachel Springall, spokesman at comparison site Moneyfacts, says: ‘The cost of these small transactions can soon mount up.’

Only a handful of cards do not come with fees. The Halifax Clarity card has no charges for withdrawing cash abroad — though the 12.9 pc interest rate is charged immediately — or making any purchases worldwide.

The Sainsbury’s Gold card has a £5 a month fee, but doesn’t charge for foreign transactions and comes with worldwide family travel insurance.

With the Nationwide credit card, for every £5 spent on purchases in sterling you earn the right to spend £1 fee-free on goods bought abroad. Above this amount, 2 pc will be charged.

Nationwide customers will also be charged a 2.5 pc fee (minimum of £3) for withdrawing cash, as well as an immediate interest rate of 27.9 pc. Nationwide c urrent account customers can take out a Select credit card, which comes with unlimited feefree purchases abroad.