Cheap Travel Money Discussion Area

cepheus

The web account for my Santander zero card appears to have registered the faster payment from the Nat West on the same day I took cash out. However, it is recorded as a separate item and the debt is still being recorded as being the same as if I hadn't paid! Hope they are taking it off the balance, doesn't look like it!



Edit:

Santander were similarily baffled when I asked, but they finally decided it takes 4 days for transfers to clear! If that is so what is the point of faster payments from the Nat West which show up in the account immediately?

I asked if that meant I get charged interest on the 4 days. They didn't know!

moneysavingrookie_3

Hello all! Some advice needed if at all possible??!

So I read the cheap travel money guide and applied for the Halifax Clarity Credit Card. However on my application being successful I received a rate of 21.9% APR VARIABLE REPRESENTATIVE rather than the stated 12.9% APR in the cheap travel money article.

Forgive me if this is a silly or obvious question but with the 21.9% APR rate I've been given is this card still the best to use whilst I'm abroad?????

Many thanks for taking the time to read and hopefully reply to this message :beer:

cepheus

If you pay off the balance quickly the interest rate makes little difference.

You should arrange a Direct Debit to pay off the maximum each month.

For cash withdrawals try to pay of this part immediately whilst you are abroad, or at the latest when you get back, because there is no interest rate free period for this component.

Do that and you won't pay a lot.

LadyLouise

I'm to Italy in less than 2 weeks so I think I've left it too late to get a FairFX or Caxton card. Ae there any we could get quick enough? If not, I have Barclays and Lloyds debit cards and my husband has a NatWest card. What's the best and worst way of spending? Are travellers cheques totally anachronistic now? If not, how would they compare to using any of our existing cards?

Sorry for so many questions!

park_gate

algarinejo wrote: »

I've tried to order £300 in euros for a visit to Spain via travelmax. I have tried travel budget, tesco etc but have been declined. Travel budget say its because my address does not match the billing address which is absolute rubbish as I have banked with Barclasy for 36 years and nothing else has been a problem. Its because I don't have alandline nor want one, why is it that I need a landline?
Also travel budget say they have cancelled the transaction and refunded my money into my account at Barclays, this begs the question if my bank have refused the transaction how can they refund money they never got?
I'll go on the high street and get it that way but waht a carry on!!!

Change your bank and go for a Santandar Zero account but check you meet their terms and conditions.

Terry

park_gate

cepheus wrote: »

The web account for my Santander zero card appears to have registered the faster payment from the Nat West on the same day I took cash out. However, it is recorded as a separate item and the debt is still being recorded as being the same as if I hadn't paid! Hope they are taking it off the balance, doesn't look like it!

If you have a Santander Zero Account why don't you use the debit card for cash withdraws?

Terry

cepheus

I only have the credit card.

It's just a £10 test see how long it takes for the funds to clear, and they don't play any tricks. Useful for when I draw larger amounts abroad. Obviously I wouldn't normally use this card for drawing cash in this country.

stilltheone

LadyLouise wrote: »

I'm to Italy in less than 2 weeks so I think I've left it too late to get a FairFX or Caxton card. Ae there any we could get quick enough? If not, I have Barclays and Lloyds debit cards and my husband has a NatWest card. What's the best and worst way of spending? Are travellers cheques totally anachronistic now? If not, how would they compare to using any of our existing cards?

Sorry for so many questions!

If you don't want to travel with cash then get a Travelex Cash Passport Globe. You can order it as late as four hours prior to going to the airport(for an airport pickup).

LadyLouise

Thanks StillTheOne. How does that compare to the Travelex Cash Passport? (I'm hopeless, aren't I?)

And as no one's talking about travellers Cheques I'm assuming they're not a good idea?

blaz1959

Off to Turkey in July. In previous years I've taken my Nationwide debit card (which I transfer funds into specifically for my hols) and withdraw cash and use in restaurants. Nationwide no longer offer this, so I'm confused which is the next best alternative. Don't want the faff of taking travellers cheques. How about the pre-paid cards, or are they only really for people who can't get regular debit cards. I know there are loads of ATM machines in the resort where I'm staying, and it always been the simplest option. Any suggestions?