Cheap Travel Money Discussion Area

Felinfoel_Chris

Hi

I am about to go to Turkey in 10 days time, and currently have the Halifax Clarity card.
Previously, I’ve been to Spain, and had no problem using he card for purchasing, or withdrawing euros via cashpoint.

However, I understand both euros and lira are used in Turkey, and I’m uncertain how the Clarity will work.
Am I still able to use the card for spending, and also withdraw from cashpoints with this card, and if so, will I get euros or lira ?

Is it advisable to take some lira with me, or is it easy enough to withdraw money as soon as we arrive ?
Any clarity (so to speak !), on this would be welcome. J

Many thanks
Chris

KTF

The primary currency in Turkey is the Lira. This is what comes out of ATMs and there are plenty of them about.

WelshSun

Can anyone advise me about ATM charges in Krakow, Poland?

Are the ATMs mainly free to use for UK cards? (Obviously accounting for the fees my card provider charges). Mainly for Mastercard, though emergency card is a Visa.

tycumagain

A heads up to anyone traveling to India,
ICICI do a prepaid visa card that allows you to load up to 50,000 rupees (approx £569) so if a couple get one each that,s basically over £1000 of rupee cash cards for minimal cost !
:j
Down side is load up only lasts 170 days then any funds left will automatically be tranferred back into your bank account, so you have to time your load up to cover your trip !
Also, best to get from a branch & ask expiry date of card first.



http://www.icicibank.co.uk/personal/travel_card.html

Traviata

Hi All,

I'm going to New York next month and have a good amount saved up for spending whilst I'm there. I don't partciularly want to take cash or apply for another credit card just for foreign spending. I'm quite interested in one of the cash cards as it would be convenient, especially as I can use it as a debit/cashpoint card. Having researched the ones reccomended in Martin's guide I see a few give options to be "worldwide" cards rather than just Euro's or Dollars. Am I best off getting a worldwide card so I can use it in the future on trips to Europe, or will I get the best rates by using a single currency card? I can't imagine I'll be going back to America anytime soon after next month's trip. I will be having lots of European trips though. I'd love personal recommendations of cards that you've used. Thanks very much for all your help.

MKB

MSE wonders if the new Aqua card is too good to be true. http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money

I think I've found the catch.

I applied hoping this could be a replacement for my Santander Zero card which I use solely for overseas purchases, as I could benefit from the cashback on overseas spend. I have excellent credit history, both mine and partner's income are in 40% tax band, and no debts, apart from a modest mortgage.

I was accepted with a credit limit of ... wait for it... £500 !

So roughly three overseas hotel nights and some food and sundry spending, and the limit would be exhausted. What a complete waste of time!

KTF

I have been using the Halfiax Clarity since it came out. Never had any issues and well worth getting if you go abroad a few times a year.

Much better than jumping through all the hoops for the cash cards.

MKB

KTF wrote: »

I have been using the Halfiax Clarity since it came out. Never had any issues and well worth getting if you go abroad a few times a year.

Much better than jumping through all the hoops for the cash cards.

I keep my Halifax Clarity just for overseas cash withdrawals, ensuring that I initiate a payment from my current account for an equivalent amount a couple of working days before. By not having any purchases, you can be sure your cash withdrawal is immediately cleared with virtually no interest to pay. The only thing to be careful of is that the cash withdrawal comes out before the payment goes in, as you are not allowed to have a credit balance.

KTF

You might not be allowed to pre-load it in the t&c but that doesn't mean you cant

Sometimes they even 'pre-load' it themselves when they apply the reward payment on a zero balance.

lfc84

Today's euro rates:

FairFX Rate of £1 = €1.2270

Caxtonfx card 1.2300

Since Caxtonfx card doesnt charge for ATM withdrawls and point of sale

I dont recall seeing the Caxton card have a better Euro exchange rate than Fairfx so I now believe Caxton is the top pick