Cheap Travel Money Discussion Area

rocket_girl

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Much better. Look here

Brilliant, I will go with Kalixa then! Thank you very much!

Shrewdmoneysaver

Caxton Euro card. Good rate and no ATM charges.

Easyjet Euro card almost as good rate and again no ATM charges.

FairFX. ATM charges. Card expired quite quickly and various attempts and promises failed to elicit a replacement. Second card was going to cost as well. Eventually gave up.

For money transfers to a euro bank account used to use FairFX but now use Transferwise for better rates.

konstantinovs

Re: the halifax clarity credit card. Am I right in thinking that the 12.9% APR for cash withdrawals is only applied as long as the balance is outstanding. So if I withdraw cash, then immediately go and pay off the balance via debit card, the interest cost will be pretty much zero?

NiftyDigits

konstantinovs wrote: »

Re: the halifax clarity credit card. Am I right in thinking that the 12.9% APR for cash withdrawals is only applied as long as the balance is outstanding. So if I withdraw cash, then immediately go and pay off the balance via debit card, the interest cost will be pretty much zero?

That is, in general, correct.

Doshwaster

konstantinovs wrote: »

Re: the halifax clarity credit card. Am I right in thinking that the 12.9% APR for cash withdrawals is only applied as long as the balance is outstanding. So if I withdraw cash, then immediately go and pay off the balance via debit card, the interest cost will be pretty much zero?

Yes. However, I always wait a few days until the transaction shows on your account so you know exactly how much to pay. That way the interest will just be pennies and avoids the chance of overpaying.

iabw12

dzug1 wrote: »

You should always have a backup.


Any cards you have will do - or are you thinking of getting another one?

I've just come back from NY and upon arrival I handed over my Zero card to the hotel reception. I almost hit the deck when they let me know it had expired in February. Thanks to your extremely sensible advice, I had a back-up card, a standard Barclaycard which they were happy to accept.
I also tried to use my Santander debit card to obtain money from various ATM's but was declined. I know I should be checking expiry dates, but I did email Santander to let them know about my trip and they acknowledged my message and said it would be duly noted. Surely something in one of their computers should have tripped either for the Zero card - or the debit card?? I cannot tell you what it's like to be so far away and not have access to cash :mad: I've learnt my lesson but am now thinking about changing my bank.
Anyway - you saved my life with your advice and can't thank you enough :T

dfurn

iabw12 wrote: »

I've just come back from NY and upon arrival I handed over my Zero card to the hotel reception. I almost hit the deck when they let me know it had expired in February. Thanks to your extremely sensible advice, I had a back-up card, a standard Barclaycard which they were happy to accept.

Did you not receive a new card in the post a week or so before the one you took away expired?

iabw12

I didn't - although the bank tell me a new one was sent out. Having spoken with the bank this morning, they're blocking it and sending me a completely new card (thankfully)

1972Angel

I am looking at the Thomas Cook euro travel card and it says to top up it will charge if in sterling but not in euros - I was planning to top up online and not via online banking - does it give the option of topping up in euros rather than sterling?

Never used a prepaid card and have always taken cash so am a bit new to this as my last hol abroad was 5 years ago!

P.s. Can't get credit card so prepaid card my only option other than cash or travellers cheques

NiftyDigits

1972Angel wrote: »

I am looking at the Thomas Cook euro travel card and it says to top up it will charge if in sterling but not in euros - I was planning to top up online and not via online banking - does it give the option of topping up in euros rather than sterling?

Never used a prepaid card and have always taken cash so am a bit new to this as my last hol abroad was 5 years ago!

P.s. Can't get credit card so prepaid card my only option other than cash or travellers cheques

Forget about this card.

Take a look at Kalixa Pay(via MoneySupermarket), Fairfx Anywhere or Caxton Global Traveller if you prefer to keep your money in Pounds until you actually spend it. Otherwise look at Travelex Cash Passport or Caxton Euro if you want to buy Euros and to store them on the card.