Cheap Travel Money Discussion Area

NiftyDigits

savercol wrote: »

Nifty.
Card is for teenage Daughter going to Spain, seemed the safest and cheapest option rather than cash. Do you know otherwise?

I would go for the International GBP £ Travellers Cashcard

Most definitely would not go for any kind of Euro card.

The one above is better value, can be used anywhere, including the UK with no extra charges other than the initial loading charge. Plus she gets a spare card that she can use in the case of her losing the main one.

NiftyDigits

Shreddie wrote: »

Hi,
I am not sure at all about this. My son is off to Magaluf with friends on 4 June and only has a debit account. I suggested it wouldn't be sensible to take this card with him and that a prepaid would be better. I don't know which to suggest now though. He would likely be making withdrawals every couple of days (because he doesn't want to have a lot to either lose or be stolen - it is an 18-30 hol - say no more) Can anyone suggest which is best for him, should he get one in euros, does he even have time to get one now, etc. All advice would be gratefully received.

Suggest that you take the same advice as I've given above. Especially good advice for anyone going there.
That way if he loses it on a drunken night out, he just lets you or ICE know. You or he then contact ICE and they transfer the balance on to the spare card. Perhaps it can also be done online.

But apply now to get it in time. I would say expect a week for delivery. So two should be fine.

Shreddie

Thanks for the replies...we are going to check it out tomorrow (he's on a night out tonight) I did read the article mentioned before posting but I'm not taking things in very well at the moment and felt a bit confused. Will definitely check out the suggested card, look at the article again and make a decision. I am glad to hear that we will still, hopefully be able to get one in time. I am not sure though about the euro thing....its a bad idea to get it in euros?

NiftyDigits

Shreddie wrote: »

Thanks for the replies...we are going to check it out tomorrow (he's on a night out tonight) I did read the article mentioned before posting but I'm not taking things in very well at the moment and felt a bit confused. Will definitely check out the suggested card, look at the article again and make a decision. I am glad to hear that we will still, hopefully be able to get one in time. I am not sure though about the euro thing....its a bad idea to get it in euros?

I've done the legwork for you. Don't stress. Just get the card suggested and relax.
Only thing that he needs to remember is the PIN code and to keep the spare card in a safe place.
Have he got a prepaid SIM for his mobile phone? You don't want him running up a large bill.

Giorgi

Money Supermarket are publicising My Travel Cash for $ or Euros or Multi. It has no charge to issue or for ATM cash and there is a 1% cashback on spend. They also add £10 is you load more than £750. Is there a reason why this is not included in the MSE list? Maybe it has a poor exchange rate? Can anybody advise. I want to use for non $ and Euro. I have a no fee for spend abroad credit card (Santander Zero) but have to pay interest if I use it to withdraw cash at an ATM. Any advice please?

NiftyDigits

Giorgi wrote: »

Money Supermarket are publicising My Travel Cash for $ or Euros or Multi. It has no charge to issue or for ATM cash and there is a 1% cashback on spend. They also add £10 is you load more than £750. Is there a reason why this is not included in the MSE list? Maybe it has a poor exchange rate? Can anybody advise. I want to use for non $ and Euro. I have a no fee for spend abroad credit card (Santander Zero) but have to pay interest if I use it to withdraw cash at an ATM. Any advice please?

Stick with your Santander Zero and clear your spends via online banking asap to minimise interest. Even if you delay paying until a month after you withdraw, at 2%, it is still cheaper than MyTravelcash.
Forget about the MSE list.
If you want a Prepaid card for backup, consider Kalixa; using their promo code to waive the initial card fee.

zagfles

Giorgi wrote: »

Money Supermarket are publicising My Travel Cash for $ or Euros or Multi. It has no charge to issue or for ATM cash and there is a 1% cashback on spend. They also add £10 is you load more than £750. Is there a reason why this is not included in the MSE list? Maybe it has a poor exchange rate? Can anybody advise. I want to use for non $ and Euro. I have a no fee for spend abroad credit card (Santander Zero) but have to pay interest if I use it to withdraw cash at an ATM. Any advice please?

It's got a 2.99% exchange rate loading. Any prepaid card with those sort of perks will have a rubbish exchange rate.

headgirl49

Hi so nifty why in your opinion is the iCE traveller card and not the iCE euro card the best? I just wondered as i've been looking around and i thought because of the ATM fees that mytravelcash looked the best..also do you know the kalixa card do you know where i can find the promo code to avoid fees?

jayu619

Hi all, was just hoping someone could help me with my current situation.
My younger brother (17 years) will be travelling to the USA for 20 days (2nd July - 21st July), and I was looking for him to take a prepaid card since he prefers not to carry too many notes on him.

After some extensive reading and heaps of confusion at rates and fees etc, I've found that the favoured prepaid cards to use are FairFX, Kalixa, ICE and Caxton?
I already use and have Fairfx, and use it due to work sending me around Europe (I think I have the "Anywhere" card), but they require any additional users to be 18 and over, so it would be fair to rule that out.

I was just wondering, for the USA, since he will be buying things at American stores etc, and paying by card, which provider would be best to stick with? Which would be cheapest to load fees on? I was looking to put on about $500 when he leaves, and top it up should he need any more via online, but don't know who charges the least rate for transactions, loading fees, ATM fees etc. He'll take about $300 in notes with him, so ATMs would only be used in emergencies.

Thank you very much in advance

NiftyDigits

headgirl49 wrote: »

Hi so nifty why in your opinion is the iCE traveller card and not the iCE euro card the best? I just wondered as i've been looking around and i thought because of the ATM fees that mytravelcash looked the best..also do you know the kalixa card do you know where i can find the promo code to avoid fees?

Promo code is in your inbox.