Cheap Travel Money Discussion Area

burfies

As the South African Rand is at a good rate at the mo, I would like to buy some Rand for a future holiday late 2012/2013.

as I would be using it to pay for hotel accomdation, safari's etc, it would need to have access to some debit card details as opposed to actual cash.

can anyone advise me the best way to do this please?

I would prob want to purchase @ £3000 worth of rand.

thanks Sue

webwiz

If you have a card which does not charge for cash withdrawals overseas, DO NOT use it to withdraw euros from a cash machine located at an airport or Eurostar terminal in the UK. Your card will be debited in sterling, not euros, and at a very poor rate, much worse than youir card provider will charge if you withdraw euros from an ATM overseas.

fivefingers

Hi forum,

I'm off to Canada in 6 weeks! :j

My spends are £1000. I want to know what's the best type travel money for my situation. The guide has left me feeling a tad confused

Cash is what I normally use, I pre-book and pick up at the Airport to get a fairly good rate. Credit cards are out of the question due to my credit rating. That leaves Pre-pay credit cards.

So... what prepay cc would be best for Canada? Would it be cheaper than cash?

Cards I currently have are: Co-op debit, Neteller Net+ prepay mastercard, o2 pre pay visa.

Any help is much appreciated.

TakeThis

fivefingers wrote: »

Hi forum,

I'm off to Canada in 6 weeks! :j

My spends are £1000. I want to know what's the best type travel money for my situation. The guide has left me feeling a tad confused

Cash is what I normally use, I pre-book and pick up at the Airport to get a fairly good rate. Credit cards are out of the question due to my credit rating. That leaves Pre-pay credit cards.

So... what prepay cc would be best for Canada? Would it be cheaper than cash?

Cards I currently have are: Co-op debit, Neteller Net+ prepay mastercard, o2 pre pay visa.

Any help is much appreciated.

The best of your current options is your O2 VISA. They charge a flat 2.75%. Better value is Travelex Cash Passport Globe ordered via TopCashBack or Quidco if you have an existing account. A flat 1.49% or only 0.99% on the first load using the cashback website.

Cashback website > Travelex > Globe card.

Be careful loading the Prepaid card with any of these bank cards, as they may charge extra: Barclays, Lloyds TSB, Natwest, Santander or RBS. Co-op may charge too, but may refund if pressed(Simply because there is nothing in their T&Cs about this charge.).

So having both will give you a VISA card and a Mastercard card.

If in London, go to Metro Bank for an account.

jac7007

I just wanted to thank MSE for telling us about the Halifax Clarity card. I've just returned from California and used it throughout the holiday. I wish I had completely trusted this site and taken less cash but nevermind. No problems using it and I've checked the bill now I'm home and the rate we were charged was pretty good. I also took on board the advice about not accepting the option to pay in my own currency (thanks Hollister!!), the rate they quoted was much worse than what I was actually charged!
Thanks MSE you are changing my life!

fivefingers

Thanks for the advice TakeThis. I have however decided to stick with cash because I feel it gives me more control over my money. The cards seem over complicated; too many ways for them to add fees here and there. Even if its costs a bit more im happy that its me in control. Im staying with family over there so unless they get burgled my cash is safe.

TakeThis wrote: »

The best of your current options is your O2 VISA. They charge a flat 2.75%. Better value is Travelex Cash Passport Globe ordered via TopCashBack or Quidco if you have an existing account. A flat 1.49% or only 0.99% on the first load using the cashback website.

Cashback website > Travelex > Globe card.

Be careful loading the Prepaid card with any of these bank cards, as they may charge extra: Barclays, Lloyds TSB, Natwest, Santander or RBS. Co-op may charge too, but may refund if pressed(Simply because there is nothing in their T&Cs about this charge.).

So having both will give you a VISA card and a Mastercard card.

If in London, go to Metro Bank for an account.

dzug1

fivefingers wrote: »

Thanks for the advice TakeThis. I have however decided to stick with cash because I feel it gives me more control over my money. The cards seem over complicated; too many ways for them to add fees here and there. Even if its costs a bit more im happy that its me in control. Im staying with family over there so unless they get burgled my cash is safe.

Make sure you buy your currency from the 'right' place then. Just minimise the extra cost you will certainly incur. With luck (well no - the right research) it could be very little

edgex

Which is the best prepaid card for the US?
Caxton or Travelex?

Id like to be able to withdraw cash, so looking at the ones that dont charge ATM fees.



Issue i can see with the Travelex is how to get any funds remaining on the card refunded;

"If you would prefer not to keep your Card for another trip, you can withdraw your remaining balance (assuming it is within the ATM's issuing limits) from an ATM displaying the Visa or MasterCard® Acceptance Mark (depending on which type of Cash Passport you have). Alternatively, you can take your Cash Passport (and valid photo ID) back to the place where you bought it and have your balance refunded; less any applicable fees (see your respective Terms and Conditions for more information)."

yet if i buy it online, how do they do a refund?
(keep getting proxy errors so cant get to the T&Cs!)


Caxton will charge $3

TakeThis

edgex wrote: »

Which is the best prepaid card for the US?
Caxton or Travelex?

Id like to be able to withdraw cash, so looking at the ones that dont charge ATM fees.



Issue i can see with the Travelex is how to get any funds remaining on the card refunded;

"If you would prefer not to keep your Card for another trip, you can withdraw your remaining balance (assuming it is within the ATM's issuing limits) from an ATM displaying the Visa or MasterCard® Acceptance Mark (depending on which type of Cash Passport you have). Alternatively, you can take your Cash Passport (and valid photo ID) back to the place where you bought it and have your balance refunded; less any applicable fees (see your respective Terms and Conditions for more information)."

yet if i buy it online, how do they do a refund?
(keep getting proxy errors so cant get to the T&Cs!)


Caxton will charge $3

US$3 plus the conversion charge back to Pounds....

For the Travelex Cash Passport G L O B E click on the link.
When back you can withdraw as much as you can(up to £600 depending on the cashpoint's limit) via the ATM for £0.99 and use whatever is left in the shops, taking into account the £0.99p charge.

900se

Hi,

With the prepaid currency cards that you can top up (Post Office, Travelex etc) - when you top up online using a debit card - will you get stung by that card for currency purchase - effectively negating a lot of the benefits of the card?