Cheap Travel Money Discussion Area

Andylad

Hello,

I'm getting married in Spain this Summer and I'm looking at starting buying some Euros on a prepaid card such as Caxton FX (as an HSBC Eur savings account is ridiculously expensive - £5 charge/month plus 1% commission on all funds deposited and withdrawn !). I want to start buying Euros now in case the rate starts to fall again and can't think of any other way of storing the funds fee-free other than under the mattress at home.

Does anyone know where I can withdraw Euros fee-free? I know you could probably withdraw at an airport but want to draw funds out in stages between now and the summer as I'm looking at needing around £5,000 worth of currency to take with me on the day we fly out and I imagine you would maybe only be able to withdraw €200-€300/day?

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,
Andy :rotfl:

KTF

Why not get the Halifax Clarity card and use it as/when you need it whilst you are out there?

cazarol

I am travelling to Fuerteventura and wondered what the best way for taking/withdrawing cash for the stay. I have a First Direct current account and my hubby has a Halifax current account. Does anyone have any experience of using these cards or what is the cheapest/safest alternative. Many thanks in advance of your valued opinions.

TakeThis

cazarol wrote: »

I am travelling to Fuerteventura and wondered what the best way for taking/withdrawing cash for the stay. I have a First Direct current account and my hubby has a Halifax current account. Does anyone have any experience of using these cards or what is the cheapest/safest alternative. Many thanks in advance of your valued opinions.

If he has a Halifax Current account, it should not be a big step to obtain their Clarity card. Use that and pay off the balance asap. No need to wait for the statement.

alan_p_brown

I second what TakeThis says.
I never take cash these days, just my Clarity card and use a local ATM. Avoid ATMs where the local bank make charges (haven't had that problem in Spain). I have also heard on this forum about ATMs that offer to convert and charge in Sterling; don't do this, always work in local currency and let Mastercard apply the currency conversion for the best rates.
With the Clarity card, the Mastercard rates are amongst the best rate you will find and the only charges will be cash advance interest. Pay the card off as soon as you can (don't need to wait for the bill) and the charges are very small. But even if you wait for the statement and get the worst rates (24% per annum) you will still pay less then 2% of what you withdrew (no worde than the loading on many debit cards), pay quick and get the bottom 13% rate and this will be reduced to under 0.5%.

heloid

So where are the Metrobank debit and credit cards in this article? Metrobank have 0% cash and purchases on their credit card for 8 months right now.

timefortea

I'm finding this whole thing really confusing.

I have a HSBC Visa debit card and a HSBC Mastercard. Both are attached to a student account, though I don't think that changes anything.

I'm travelling to the USA in March. I think spending on the Visa will be cheaper than on the Mastercard, but would taking out cash in a larger lump sum and spending it in the shops be cheaper, or would just paying for things on my debit card be cheaper?

Should I take maybe $200 with me to start with, or will the exchange rate here be similar to the exchange rate I'll get from an ATM/shop?

TakeThis

timefortea wrote: »

I'm finding this whole thing really confusing.

I have a HSBC Visa debit card and a HSBC Mastercard. Both are attached to a student account, though I don't think that changes anything.

I'm travelling to the USA in March. I think spending on the Visa will be cheaper than on the Mastercard, but would taking out cash in a larger lump sum and spending it in the shops be cheaper, or would just paying for things on my debit card be cheaper?

Should I take maybe $200 with me to start with, or will the exchange rate here be similar to the exchange rate I'll get from an ATM/shop?

For spending, try the Kalixa card, purchased via TopCashBack. Purchase and fund the card via Bank Transfer. You can also use it for larger cash withdrawals.
Will be cheaper than your current cards.

DWR1

Attched is a message I have sent to Travelex, the only recommended prepaid card in Australian dollars. The problem is self-expanatory but is there any other method - I don't want a credit card or to change bank accounts.

"Have tried twice to purchase prepaid cash passport.
Both times told that you were unable to take payment.
My bank advises that no contact was made by you to attempt to verify/authorise payment.
Your 'helpdesk' said that the problem was that you could not check the address and added that your new system was known to accept orders for currency with next day delivery and then refuse to authorise a cash passport as address could not be verified !
To be told in a cheery voice that I could pick up the card in Liverpool or Newcastle when I live in Carlisle and am travelling from Manchester is not helpful.
Since this is obviously not a new problem why has it not been rectified and why can you not accept telephone orders?
At present you are recommended by 'moneysavingexpert.com'. With inadequate systems and unhelpful cusomer service I cannot think why."

TakeThis

DWR1 wrote: »

Attched is a message I have sent to Travelex, the only recommended prepaid card in Australian dollars. The problem is self-expanatory but is there any other method - I don't want a credit card or to change bank accounts.

"Have tried twice to purchase prepaid cash passport.
Both times told that you were unable to take payment.
My bank advises that no contact was made by you to attempt to verify/authorise payment.
Your 'helpdesk' said that the problem was that you could not check the address and added that your new system was known to accept orders for currency with next day delivery and then refuse to authorise a cash passport as address could not be verified !
To be told in a cheery voice that I could pick up the card in Liverpool or Newcastle when I live in Carlisle and am travelling from Manchester is not helpful.
Since this is obviously not a new problem why has it not been rectified and why can you not accept telephone orders?
At present you are recommended by 'moneysavingexpert.com'. With inadequate systems and unhelpful cusomer service I cannot think why."

If you feel the need to obtain such a card, both Sainsburys and ASDA supply these cards. Don't be tempted to get it elsewhere.

If you've more time, try the Kalixa Card funded via Bank Transfer and purchased via TopCashBack.