Prepaid Travel Cards guide

Sunshinemummy wrote: »

Flip GTST, did not know you were an expert in this area :T:T:T

I'm far from an expert in any area :rotfl: as my hubby will tell you!


We found it handy if only to change what we needed to change. I was known to load sterling on it at the till and then convert it there and then. The other aspect that we've found useful is that we're converting some money each month for a trip to the US in June in an attempt to even out any currency fluctuations (it also stops you from dipping in of course lol!)


Whether we get any problems in the US though will be anybody's guess.

The last time we went, we got a Saga credit card which had no fees for ATM/purchases - but this was 4 years ago which is a world away!

eDicky wrote: »

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards

Also https://loot.io/

Note that ATMs in Thailand charge Bt.220 (£5) for use of a foreign card.

EveryWhere wrote: »

If you have the right credit card, such as Halifax Clarity, Creation Everyday, Santander Zero and Barclaycard Travel Platinum, some banks will allow to to take a cash advance over the counter, avoiding the ludicrous £5.70 ATM withdrawal fee levied by Thailand's ATM network on foreign VISA/Mastercard cards.

.....and get one or two of these; https://www.starlingbank.com/travel/

Thanks, I have a zero debit card. I have read Santander site, which was a little confusing so I have e-mailed them asking for clarity.

I have just made the application for Halifax Clarity. I am thinking of also applying for the Barclays card (one for purchases and one for case withdrawal) and will look into starlingbank, but if I can avoid I don't want to put money up front (as there is nothing left after flights/accommodation... )

I am considering applying for another card whilst I am away so that I can transfer some of the spending to this and delay final payment (we are pushing the boundaries of our finances. Do people think that this is doable?

Thanks

Dynamic currency conversion. I assume that this is the banks giving lower rates, but don't really understand what to do. What I had read is that when we are given the option to convert now or later - we do it now

Always transact in the local currency. Let your bank convert to sterling, not the foreign bank.

And get your travel insurance sorted fast.

Sunshinemummy wrote: »

Dynamic currency conversion. I assume that this is the banks giving lower rates, but don't really understand what to do.

Searching this forum for DCC, instead of google, should turn up plenty of info. I mentioned it because I had not previously noticed it on Thai bank ATMs in addition to their fee.

The rule when using a fee-free card is to decline DCC whenever it is offered, by selecting "Without Conversion" (or similar) on an ATM, and selecting to pay in the local currency when a payment terminal gives the choice. Then your card/bank converts your pounds at the ideal MasterCard or Visa rates, instead of the local bank/merchant having tricked you into accepting their own terrible rate.

eDicky wrote: »

Searching this forum for DCC, instead of google, should turn up plenty of info. I mentioned it because I had not previously noticed it on Thai bank ATMs in addition to their fee.

The rule when using a fee-free card is to decline DCC whenever it is offered, by selecting "Without Conversion" (or similar) on an ATM, and selecting to pay in the local currency when a payment terminal gives the choice. Then your card/bank converts your pounds at the ideal MasterCard or Visa rates, instead of the local bank/merchant having tricked you into accepting their own terrible rate.

Thanks that is helpful

Gloomendoom wrote: »

I'm not sure I would b e comfortable leaving the UK, even within Europe, if my finances were balanced on such a knife edge.

Actually, I know I wouldn't be comfortable.

I know the feeling. I am used to being comfortable within our rather frugal life.

We have had a difficult financial year, we had agreed to pay for DS2 masters degree, then the car died so newish car (much needed and saving money each week as I drive hours each day, and we got the cheapest/economical car), then DS1 proposes and decides to get married in Singapore and Thailand, so we have to cover DS2 and DS3s costs, and as I am an agency worker (in the same job for 6 years so very stable) but recently my take home was cut with IR35 (we still live well under my income - ooh did I say I am the only income in the household, OH gets a small pension) but I don't get paid when I am away. So it is a build up of things over the year.

Despite all of this, the wedding cannot be missed. I have paid for the 4 flights to Thailand, then Singapore, the accommodation in both places, parking. Just need to find cost effective insurance.

On the positive side, we have absolutely no debts except a small mortgage. I have never purchased anything that I have not been able to pay in full, so transferring a debt to another card is right out of my comfort zone.

If he divorces I will kill him.