Cheap Travel Money Discussion Area

MKB

KTF wrote: »

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

You're right, and I've accidentally done it myself when I stupidly withdrew cash on the wrong card, i.e. not my Halifax one. But, the point is that if you deliberately go into credit regularly, there's every chance Halifax will exercise their right to close the account.

TakeThis

MKB wrote: »

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!

Already in the article...

The trade-off is low credit limits (£250 - £1,600) and a huge interest rate

Nessie23

MKB wrote: »

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.

NB - Halifax Clarity now accepts faster payments into the credit card account, so you can make a payment on the same day or even program it so that it hits the account a particular day.

russian

I found a company called Covent Garden FX. They appear to be offering a good exchange rate today (1.25 euros to the pound as opposed to 1.23 from PO). Is this company to be trusted/ I didn't see it in this website's ist of best deals.

TakeThis

russian wrote: »

I found a company called Covent Garden FX. They appear to be offering a good exchange rate today (1.25 euros to the pound as opposed to 1.23 from PO). Is this company to be trusted/ I didn't see it in this website's ist of best deals.

TravelMoneymax indicates the best deal for today is 126.46. They are in the list, at 125.45 of thereabouts.

virg1e

Hi! How does the AA Global Traveller Mastercard compare with FairFX and CaxtonFx Global/anywhere cards? It seems to have less charges but is the exchange rate poorer? Thanks!

TakeThis

virg1e wrote: »

Hi! How does the AA Global Traveller Mastercard compare with FairFX and CaxtonFx Global/anywhere cards? It seems to have less charges but is the exchange rate poorer? Thanks!

Their rate for Euros today: £1 = 1.2039 Euro (This for both the Euro or Sterling card)

Full Mastercard rate: £1 = 1.276713 Euro

trevjl

As I work abroad frequently and having read the article regarding cards abroad, I applied for the recommended aqua CC. There was no problem, accepted and paperwork has duly arrived.
The one problem that I would warn of, and there is a certain amount of guesswork here, dont put your mobile phone number down anywhere. I put mine as the only number and ever since, I keep receiving texts offering me pay day loans. I have never had these before I applied for this card.
I cant be sure it is connected but bit of a coincedence.

megfyp

Despite getting a bank leaflet telling me that NatWest Visa Debit would not charge for buying currency, I was charged £4.50 by the bank to buy currency from ICE on July 12th.
Can anyone explain why, please???
(I have contacted my Private Banking manager, but got no reply!)

leedspete_2

I am with natwest and didnt get charged with ace fx