Cheap Travel Money Discussion Area

RichardB1

Apologies if this has been asked before but I'm wondering what my best approach is for getting around £5000 exchanged into Euros before I got abroad to get married. Are there any brokers as such who'd offer a better than high street rate on a transaction that size (and who'd give me cash instead of an international transfer) or am I as well just shopping around for the best rate I can find as I would for smaller amounts?

Thanks

guestjim

kingwheeler wrote: »

I did exactly the same downhill. My only worry is withdrawing cash over there. It seems like everywhere is going to charge me.

Wait, I can't see where you're going, but I'm going to New York and think I might have to take out cash only once or twice to avoid too many fees.

I used the Metro Debit card for paying for items and to get cash from ATM machines in a recent jaunt to Bulgaria and Turkey.

Neither had a load on them and I got the perfect rate. I also have a CapitalOne credit card with no load and tried that - just to see of it worked - and again it had perfect rate with no load.

Both of the cards I mention I got just for travel. But will use them in the UK. Metro was available instantly at the branch and the CapitalOne card was delivered within 5 days. So ready for the holidays without too much of a delay.

I think everyone should consider a MetroBank account/card. CapitalOne card has moneyback feature and rightly comes highly recommended on MSE.

pjsmiffy

Ok I got back from Gran Canaria Tuesday morning. I had taken my Halifax Clarity Credit card with me but lost it out there. I was lucky I was given internet access to find the number to report it. So my advice is.

1. Assume you will lose your plastic and keep a copy of the info (Phone Numbers etc in a separate place)
2. Have a back up card (Having 2 debit cards to hand saved the holiday)
3. Where ever possible try to be charming to people as you never know when you need there help.

And if you go to Purto Rico in Gran Canaria The staff in On the Rocks Snack Bar are great.

hughesmj

Just returned from Ibiza, to a zero charge credit card bill from Halifax! The tip is, I applied for (and got) the Halifax card. The day before I traveled I transferred a balance to it (£1000 as it happens), and proceeded to use the card in Ibiza for cash and payments. As the card was already funded it incurred no interest charges at all, and got the optimum fx rate. A pleasant surprise, and a warm feeling to return home with no extras to pay! Of course, I lost a bit of interest on the grand I transferred, and had to keep tabs on the spending, but all in all, great value :cool:

jackieblack

While some people do seem to be able to get away with this, pre-loading the card is against the t&c and could result in the account being frozen

qbazdz

Hi Guys,

I had a Halifax CC and just did the upgrade to Clarity so I could enjoy the benefits of that one when Im on hols.
Has anyone done it in the past week or two? I just wonder how long will it take them to actually get it to me...

Thanks!

chris_goodwin

me and my wife are of to the canaries soon and in the past years we have taken travels cheques i have just found out about travel pre paid cards are they any good and which is the best please help me!!!!! please excuse spelling lol ;-)

NiftyDigits

chris_goodwin wrote: »

me and my wife are of to the canaries soon and in the past years we have taken travels cheques i have just found out about travel pre paid cards are they any good and which is the best please help me!!!!! please excuse spelling lol ;-)

One usually uses Prepaid cards if there is no access to one of the better mainstream cards for whatever reason.

There is a lot of information posted on the forum already. Why not take the time to peruse/use the search function?

Search for Metro Bank, N&P, Halifax Clarity, Kalixa Pay, ICE Prepaid GBP

sue149

i aam going away and had to print my tickets off for 4 people but when ive printed them off there are adverts in them and i cant figure where too cut them cant i leave it and the airport will sort it ty

sue149

i aam going away and had to print my tickets off for 4 people but when ive printed them off there are adverts in them and i cant figure where too cut them cant i leave it and the airport will sort it ty