FairFX card queries

Hello all,

We are going to the states in a few weeks, visiting NYC and Las Vegas, and are considering getting a FairFX $ card for spending money. Can anyone help with the below queries?

- We were talking to a currency advisor in a Thompson travel agent this morning when we called in just to shop round exchange rates etc, and they tried to flog us their own version of a prepaid Mastercard (which we declined!). Interestingly though she admitted though that a few users of their card had experienced difficulties with it being accepted in Vegas. Does anyone know why this would be? We don't intend to gamble or anyhing like that, and would assume that any prepaid Mastercard be it Thompson, FairFX, Caxton etc. can be accepted just like any other Mastercard for everyday purchases in shops/restaurants etc. Has anyone had any difficulties using a FairFX card in Vegas?

- Having read through some previous discussions on the subject I am confused as to whether there is a charge for spending on the FairFX card - am I right in saying that there is a fee for ATM withdrawals, but there is no charge for point of sale transactions?

- What is the daily limit for cash withdrawals from the card?

Thanks all :)
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Comments

  • ferf1223
    ferf1223 Posts: 8,935 Forumite
    Has anyone had any difficulties using a FairFX card in Vegas?

    I had trouble using it at a cashpoint once but it worked fine in another cashpoint the same day...otherwise it's been absolutely fine for us in Vegas.

    - Having read through some previous discussions on the subject I am confused as to whether there is a charge for spending on the FairFX card - am I right in saying that there is a fee for ATM withdrawals, but there is no charge for point of sale transactions?

    Assuming you mean the $ card (the Anywhere card is different) that's right.

    • We charge a fixed $2 per ATM withdrawal in the UK and overseas*. There are no other per-transactions fees, no fees at all apply at point of sale.
    * Some banks or third-party ATM operators abroad and in the UK may charge additional fees for use of their ATMS, but these will be clearly advertised and are charged equally on all cards.
    http://www.fairfx.com/cardselection#dollarcard

    - What is the daily limit for cash withdrawals from the card?

    When I asked this question the email reply I got was:

    Spending Limits

    There is a fraud limit of not more than 3 ATM withdrawals per day and also no more than 10 ATM withdrawals over 4 days, which is intended to protect card holders in the event that their card and PIN are stolen: it stops you being instantly cleared out.

    The maximum that can be withdrawn from an ATM are;

    *USD FairFX Currency Card, maximum is $1,000 per day.

    You can still use your FairFX Currency Card as a payment card in, for example, shops and restaurants. This is not affected by ATM withdrawal limits.
    Does remembering a time that a certain degree of personal responsibility was more or less standard means that I am officially old?
  • Two quick follow-ups....

    1) Be careful which ATMs you use in Vegas - some of the in casino machines can be brutal with their charges. Try to get money outside of the casino.

    2) If you're planning to keep your Fx card for trips other than the US, you may be better off using a £ card. You don't need to worry about exchange rate changes and it's more use if you stay in Europe next year.
  • I wish i never got myself a FairFx card. I went on holiday to America in July this year, i left my wallet and my FairFx card at home by mistake and i couldnt get anyone to bring it too me in time.

    I rang up FairFx and told them about my problem, i asked if i could have an replacement card sent out to New Jersey as thats where i would be staying. The women on the phone said someone would call me back and i asked if they could call me back at 7pm U.K time as thats when i would be in America. I waited half an hour, and no phone call. So i rang them up to be greated with an answer machine message saying sorry our offices are closed and our opening hours are 9am-6pm.

    Next day i rang them up and asked them to send my replacement card to America, in which they replyied with no they could only send it to an U.K address....i wasnt very happy. If i was travelling on my own i would have been stuck in America with no money! Lucky i had my friend who i could borrow money off.

    So to sum it all up.....If you loose your card in the U.S.A...you will NOT get a card sent out to you.....meaning its useless getting the card...................DONT GET A FAIRFX CARD.
  • Bob_the_Saver
    Bob_the_Saver Posts: 5,610 Forumite
    edited 2 September 2010 at 7:36PM
    wayne0577 wrote: »
    I wish i never got myself a FairFx card. I went on holiday to America in July this year, i left my wallet and my FairFx card at home by mistake and i couldnt get anyone to bring it too me in time.

    I rang up FairFx and told them about my problem, i asked if i could have an replacement card sent out to New Jersey as thats where i would be staying. The women on the phone said someone would call me back and i asked if they could call me back at 7pm U.K time as thats when i would be in America. I waited half an hour, and no phone call. So i rang them up to be greated with an answer machine message saying sorry our offices are closed and our opening hours are 9am-6pm

    Next day i rang them up and asked them to send my replacement card to America, in which they replyied with no they could only send it to an U.K address....i wasnt very happy. If i was travelling on my own i would have been stuck in America with no money! Lucky i had my friend who i could borrow money off.

    So to sum it all up.....If you loose your card in the U.S.A...you will NOT get a card sent out to you.....meaning its useless getting the card...................DONT GET A FAIRFX CARD.

    Hi Wayne !

    Our Natwest card was cloned last year when we were travelling we didn't get a new one of those sent out either.
    HEY - I have a brilliant idea, since FairFX cards are FREE with the right link, why not get 2 or 3 like I have. That way you can always transfer funds from one to another if you have the details saved on their web-site. Sure there would be a small cost involved but YOU forgot your wallet so it's not exactly THEIR fault is it?

    You didn't "loose your card in the U.S.A" or even lose it YOU just forgot it.
  • marvic31
    marvic31 Posts: 109 Forumite
    I agree, dont slate a card just because you forgot to take it with you. Your wallet is your responsiblity, not FairFX.

    I am planning to travel to the US next month and I will definately be getting two of these cards. Much safer than carrying lots of money about.
  • We are going to the us in 6 weeks and myself and my husband have 2 fairfx cards each,

    one with the majority of the spending money on and one with $20 on it, if we loose the main card or leave it at home we can ring up or log in to our fairfx account and transfer the money from the lost/forgotten card onto the spare card.

    it does state in fairfx t&cs that replacement cards can only be sent to a uk address
  • adindas
    adindas Posts: 6,805
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    Forumite
    edited 5 September 2010 at 1:36PM
    [FONT=&quot]What is the Exchange rate that will apply at the time we are loading our FairFx AND CaxtonFx EUR/DOL card.

    I believe they will be using their own exchange rate which must be worse than Interbank or Master/Visa Wholesale Exchange rate, otherwise they will make very little profit, in my opinion.

    Using Master/Visa Wholesale Exchange rate as a benchmark, how much worse is the difference for:
    FairF, CaxtonFx

    Which offer better Exchange rate FairFx or CaxtonFX ?

    Thank you fro your time answering my question

    ADINDAS
    [/FONT]
  • ferf1223
    ferf1223 Posts: 8,935 Forumite
    one with the majority of the spending money on and one with $20 on it, if we loose the main card or leave it at home we can ring up or log in to our fairfx account and transfer the money from the lost/forgotten card onto the spare card.

    I'd asked how to transfer from one card to the other last week (sent an email) as I have 2 cards with minimal balances and wanted to combine them...thought I had read that you could do it online but couldn't see how.

    Email reply I received said:

    Please call us on 0207 778 9300 during normal UK office hours so we can transfer the balances.

    I only mention it as if it were me, I wouldn't put the majority of the funds on one card - if it were lost on a weekend, you may be out of luck? Though maybe the lost/stolen department could do it?
    Does remembering a time that a certain degree of personal responsibility was more or less standard means that I am officially old?
  • ferf1223 wrote: »
    I'd asked how to transfer from one card to the other last week (sent an email) as I have 2 cards with minimal balances and wanted to combine them...thought I had read that you could do it online but couldn't see how.

    Email reply I received said:

    Please call us on 0207 778 9300 during normal UK office hours so we can transfer the balances.

    I only mention it as if it were me, I wouldn't put the majority of the funds on one card - if it were lost on a weekend, you may be out of luck? Though maybe the lost/stolen department could do it?
    Thanks so much for this information. We lost our first card this morning (somehow!) and we're going away on monday so we were naturally very panicked when we decalred are first card lost it just disappeared, and there was no way to transfer the balance to the second card we have! Here's hoping that we can use that phone number on monday morning!
  • ferf1223
    ferf1223 Posts: 8,935 Forumite
    rshillcock wrote: »
    Thanks so much for this information. We lost our first card this morning (somehow!) and we're going away on monday so we were naturally very panicked when we decalred are first card lost it just disappeared, and there was no way to transfer the balance to the second card we have! Here's hoping that we can use that phone number on monday morning!

    If it's lost, I would think you may be better to call their lost/stolen line now.

    If you lose your FairFX Card or it is stolen or you suspect that your FairFX Card has been used by someone, you must tell us as soon as you can by calling our 24 hour helpline on 01159 577420. We will then cancel your FairFX Card. If you ask us to do so, we will ask the police to investigate any suspected misuse of your FairFX Card and they may need more information and assistance from you.
    Does remembering a time that a certain degree of personal responsibility was more or less standard means that I am officially old?
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