Cheap Travel Money Discussion Area

sjg666

ATNotts wrote: »

sjg666

Just had a bad experience with ICICI Bank when trying to register for with them to buy € 1000.00

Despite putting all the correct contact details into the registration form I was refused as they couldn't verify me through their money laundering database. Makes me feel like a criminal, and frankly their Indian based call centre (at least they are an Indian Bank!!) was useless and basically take the stance that if their website doesn't like me - then i can't trade with them.

I'm sure I can't be the only user who's experienced this nonsense and I would hope the Moneysavingexpert may consider removing them from the website.

From your experience I'm reluctant to use Fair FX either!!

As they state it is (apparently) possible that it will turn up in the next 2 working days - will update if and when received and if not how helpful they are when I call them to find out what's going on.

ilovebargains99

JEG78 and sjg666, I hope your problems are resolved. I thought I'd check this thread before ordering a FairFx card, and I am glad I did.

Does anyone have any experience of CaxtonFx or Travelex cards?

NiftyDigits

ilovebargains99 wrote: »

JEG78 and sjg666, I hope your problems are resolved. I thought I'd check this thread before ordering a FairFx card, and I am glad I did.

Does anyone have any experience of CaxtonFx or Travelex cards?

A Prepaid card is quite a different proposition from sending cash in the post.

I had no problems in using my FairFx card whatsoever.

Think about it. Would you resend another wad of cash out in the post before you were sure that Royal Mail would take responsibility for the 'lost' one?

Sandmonster

I don't know how official this is, but the lady at the Tesco bureau said if I'd walked up rather than ordered my euros online she could have given a better rate on their price match deal. I asked if that included online prices and she said yes. I didn't think to ask if they could beat the Halifax credit card rate - should have! She also said some of the more unusual places such as cash converters are giving high spot rates and they were able to match those too. I hadn't heard about the price match deal, I asked if it was a short term offer, she said it was all the time. Wish I'd known! Obviously Tesco don't tell you on their travel money ordering page.

sjg666

Sandmonster wrote: »

I don't know how official this is, but the lady at the Tesco bureau said if I'd walked up rather than ordered my euros online she could have given a better rate on their price match deal. I asked if that included online prices and she said yes. I didn't think to ask if they could beat the Halifax credit card rate - should have! She also said some of the more unusual places such as cash converters are giving high spot rates and they were able to match those too. I hadn't heard about the price match deal, I asked if it was a short term offer, she said it was all the time. Wish I'd known! Obviously Tesco don't tell you on their travel money ordering page.

Thanks for posting this, I'm splitting my holiday money half cash half card so I'll check this out. I got my euro cash from Asda's travel bureau last year and found they had a top rate ordering in advance so it won't hurt to ask what rate Tesco can give me - especially as there's one with a travel bureau that I can stop in on my way to work.

zagfles

Sandmonster wrote: »

I don't know how official this is, but the lady at the Tesco bureau said if I'd walked up rather than ordered my euros online she could have given a better rate on their price match deal. I asked if that included online prices and she said yes. I didn't think to ask if they could beat the Halifax credit card rate - should have! She also said some of the more unusual places such as cash converters are giving high spot rates and they were able to match those too. I hadn't heard about the price match deal, I asked if it was a short term offer, she said it was all the time. Wish I'd known! Obviously Tesco don't tell you on their travel money ordering page.

There's no way they would have beaten the Clarity rate as that's practically interbank - they might include online prices but they won't include getting cash direct out of foreign ATMs.

karena

Travelling to Central America for two months. Two years ago had two Sterling Fairfx cards for Chile and Argentina (one extra in case 1st card stolen, not usable, or cloned). Worked fine and I never had to use the second card. Both cards have now expired so if I want to have two more for my new trip will cost be £9.95 per card. Existing customers do not get any of the free cards details on TCB or money supermarket.
Have read about Clarity (debit card) - any one have any advice for me? I have a Barclaycard but what I need is a card to withdraw cash in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, etc.
Would you stick with the Fairfx or get a Halifax Clarity.
Many thanks.

NiftyDigits

karena wrote: »

Travelling to Central America for two months. Two years ago had two Sterling Fairfx cards for Chile and Argentina (one extra in case 1st card stolen, not usable, or cloned). Worked fine and I never had to use the second card. Both cards have now expired so if I want to have two more for my new trip will cost be £9.95 per card. Existing customers do not get any of the free cards details on TCB or money supermarket.
Have read about Clarity (debit card) - any one have any advice for me? I have a Barclaycard but what I need is a card to withdraw cash in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, etc.
Would you stick with the Fairfx or get a Halifax Clarity.
Many thanks.

Good idea to have both a VISA and Mastercard when in South America.

Doesn't mention a restriction here

plodder73

I have a Halifax Clarity card and have had it for over a year. There is a zero balance on it, could I put money into it before I go aboard and thereof have a positive balance and therefore avoid any interest charges ?

sjg666

sjg666 wrote: »

As they state it is (apparently) possible that it will turn up in the next 2 working days - will update if and when received and if not how helpful they are when I call them to find out what's going on.

Just a quick update - still no card 10 working days later. I emailed them when I got home from work last night and they called me first thing this morning. Going to try sending out a replacement which will hopefully arrive in 3-5 working days (though the guy said they post Royal Mail first class which is usually 1-3 working days). I've told them that I fly next Tuesday so either need the card or a refund by then (I actually fly 2 weeks today but certainly don't want to leave it until the last minute!). Waiting game again. See if anything arrives by Friday if not I'll have to ask for a refund (which I don't expect to be charged for as it's them who haven't held up their side of the 'deal' but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it!)