Cheap Travel Money Discussion Area

stilltheone

dzug1 wrote: »

I hope you didn't use your debit card to pay for them - that will be another 1.5% when your statement comes

You do make a good point though - there's numerous posts on here extolling cards for no or low fees - which overlook the exchange rate which will usually be the predominant factor.

Erm....how can they put AUS$ and NZ$ on the same card? Tesco Travelex Cash Passport: A pre-paid currency card available in Euros and US Dollars.

It just looks as if they had to buy £, US$ or Euros with their AUS$ and NZ$, losing out with forex fees twice and about to be hit with stinging fees again when they actually use the card. At least another 5.75%.

This is the worst case I have ever read. Perhaps there are mitigating details....

uk_tina_2004

I am travelling to Australia, Thailand and Dubai in 4 weeks time. I need to get a card asap. I have a great credit rating but I was declined for the Halifax card. I don't want a card with insurance benefits either as I need specialist insurance, can someone help please!!!

Naizby

ARGH!! WARNING Always read the best buys and all the information before buying currency. It cost me 4.8% to buy in branch at the Post Office without ordering online first. Oh and I did remember to use my Post Office Credit card so that there are no load fees or charges - so everyone says???

stilltheone

uk_tina_2004 wrote: »

I am travelling to Australia, Thailand and Dubai in 4 weeks time. I need to get a card asap. I have a great credit rating but I was declined for the Halifax card. I don't want a card with insurance benefits either as I need specialist insurance, can someone help please!!!

Travelex Cash Passport Globe for use as Prepaid debit card. Metro Bank debit card if you live close to London. Post Office or SAGA credit card for purchases.

Just a few suggestions...

stilltheone

Naizby wrote: »

ARGH!! WARNING Always read the best buys and all the information before buying currency. It cost me 4.8% to buy in branch at the Post Office without ordering online first. Oh and I did remember to use my Post Office Credit card so that there are no load fees or charges - so everyone says???

Who says that??

Are there no interest charges until bill payment? Do they treat it as a purchase, thereby waiving all fees or treat it as a Cash Advance, but simply waive the cash advance fee, but not the interest payable?

thedugggs

We have recently visited Holland and took a euro travel mastercard with caxton fx, that we had applied for based on the recommendations on this site. However we were unable to withdraw cash at any ATM we visited in Holland, there was always a connection error. This left us, as a family of 6, without cash for nearly 2 wks. After numerous phone calls to caxton fx customer services, who knew nothing of the problem, we were eventually offered a refund back onto our debit card, that would take 3/4 working days. We eventually had to use another visa card we had and succumb to the bank charges we initially took out the caxton card to avoid. When returning home the money still hadn't been refunded and when chasing it up with the customer service again, it had not been done. Wish we had never got this card. Customer service is shocking too, nobody cared or took ownership of our situation, stick to your old travellers cheques and cash.

Wilfie21

Nonshy wrote: »

Halifax rejected me - think it may be because have two other CCs open even though nothing on them!

Might just take cash and Travellers cheques!

I decided on cash only for Vegas, ordered $5000 on Tuesday from Bupa (ICE) and it arrived yesterday, no problems, maybe it was a bit fool hardy but it was a good rate and very easy!

michaeloswald128

I have now read about 20 pages of this thread, and although I'm not stupid, I don't seem to be any closer to finding a solution that will work for me.

I'm going travelling for 7 months with my boyfriend. He will have the Halifax clarity credit card and this will be his main card while away.

I will be taking either the Fair Fx or Caxton card but just can't decide which.

I undertsand that there is a slight difference in exchange rate, and that the fairfx charges for cash machine withdrawl but caxton doesn't but I still have a few questions:

I'm probably going to be spending around £1000 per month while I'm away. It would be difficult at this stage to say if more of it will be card transactions or cash withdrawls.

We're going to SE Asia for a month, then spending 3 months in Australia before 2 1/2 months in USA.

With the variation in locations, as well as my uncertainty around cash vs card transactions, would I just be better with the travelex cash passport globe!?

*confused*

murphymum

@michaeloswald - Like you, I was completely confused when I visited Oz last year. I reckon the more I read the more confused I got, very many different folks advising what worked for them.
What I did was - I had a Halifax clarity card, a FairFX card which I used most of the time. I loaded it before I went, made sure I had enough money in my bank account before I left so I could load more on if need by. I also had a Caxton card for back-up. It all worked fine for me. I had no trouble at all with these cards being accepted.

stilltheone

michaeloswald128 wrote: »

I have..... would I just be better with the travelex cash passport globe!?

*confused*

Yes, ask about how to get your free extra card before you apply.