Following on my little “adventure” I’ve been thinking about credit card options.
From what I have been able to gather none of the “normal” credit cards come with any option for emergency replacements. American Express, however, does seem to offer this service:
We will issue a replacement Card usually within 24hours. If you are travelling abroad and wish to have a Card sent to you, we can arrange for a replacement Card to be waiting for you at the nearest American Express Travel Service Location or to be delivered to you in person
It’s not clear how long it takes for the card to get to the local office, but issuing a new card within 24 hours is a lot better than anything my bank can offer with a standard Visa.
Are there any other options out there?
It’s great getting a replacement card so quick, but nevertheless it’ll always be hassle. Some banks will offer an emergency cash transfer if your credit card is stolen, and your travel insurance should cover you if you ever do get stuck penniless by yourself in a foreign land.
Always a good idea to have the numbers handy for cancelling credit cards and phone contracts too if your mobile gets stolen.
AMEX is a debit card – no credit given.
Ed
That depends on your definition of credit.
All business credit cards have to be cleared at the end of the month, as do all credit cards issued by Italian banks.
If you make a purchase on the first of a month you won’t have to clear the balance until the end of the month, so you are being given credit. It may not be as liberal as what you would get with a personal Visa from AIB et al, but it’s still credit in my eyes
Michele
Get the Blue American Express CREDIT card from Bank of Ireland (caveat make a photocopy of the applicaiton form, recently I have heard they are getting lost) http://ambrand.com/2006/12/14/sorry-no-american-express/
Ambrand
Is that only available via BOI? I haven’t been a customer of theirs for years….
Michele
Centurion Card Services (owned by BOI) have the franchise for Ireland. However you needn’t have any other dealings with BOI to get the card. All you need is an application form and money.
Ambrand
Intriguing.
Pity I can’t apply online 🙁
Is there any advantage / disadvantage of the Blue card over the other ones?
Michele
shhh the card is a secret, I’ve already said too much, agghh the black helicopters are coming