Cheap Travel Money Discussion Area

gingernick

Hi, my partner is going to Italy in 10 days. She is going to M & S to get some Euros on her M & S credit card and so earn some points planning to pay it off on her return. Am I correct in thinking it'll be a cash advance and be charged as such so will wipe out any gain via the points she'll earn. Many thanks, Nick.

neilj203

NiftyDigits wrote: »

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.

Can you explain why travelex is so much better than the Thomas Cook one. I appreciate the rates might be slightly better. But both are chip and pin and have similar features. Please don't be offended, but is your view based on your job?

I have read negative views on forums of TC, Travelex and Fairfx cards so I am not really sure what to do.

I only want to use a prepaid card for half of spending.

NiftyDigits

neilj203 wrote: »

Can you explain why travelex is so much better than the Thomas Cook one. I appreciate the rates might be slightly better. But both are chip and pin and have similar features. Please don't be offended, but is your view based on your job?

I have read negative views on forums of TC, Travelex and Fairfx cards so I am not really sure what to do.

I only want to use a prepaid card for half of spending.

The Thomas Cook card is supplied by Travelex. TC take their cut including added ATM withdrawal fees.. Better to go direct.
Job? What job is this?? How would that tally with me suggesting different cards from differing companies?
If for mainly purchases, consider Kalixa Pay via MoneySupermarket
If you don't wish to offend, don't be offensive.

neilj203

Thanks very much for advice.
Never intended to offend, but I wanted to be sure because some people on here on occasions have agendas. Please don't take it the wrong way.

Does Travelex card have any problems being accepted?

NiftyDigits

neilj203 wrote: »

Thanks very much for advice.
Never intended to offend, but I wanted to be sure because some people on here on occasions have agendas. Please don't take it the wrong way.

Does Travelex card have any problems being accepted?

Accepted for what?

For purchases: Travelex current rate: 1.220€ Kalixa Pay: 1.248€

Archi_Bald

Santander 123 CC now has 0% fees for non-sterling transactions for their Select customers: http://www.santanderselect.co.uk/credit-cards.html.

Cash withdrawals still have a steep 3% fee so best done on another card.

hunters

gingernick wrote: »

Hi, my partner is going to Italy in 10 days. She is going to M & S to get some Euros on her M & S credit card and so earn some points planning to pay it off on her return. Am I correct in thinking it'll be a cash advance and be charged as such so will wipe out any gain via the points she'll earn. Many thanks, Nick.

Marks don't treat foreign currency as a cash advance and if you time it right you have up to 56 days before you need to pay the amount off.

gillpb

Would welcome opinions on the best way to use a Caxton dollar card in south America

Draw cash in local currency with 2.75% charge

Or

Draw in dollars and convert locally

NiftyDigits

gillpb wrote: »

Would welcome opinions on the best way to use a Caxton dollar card in south America

Draw cash in local currency with 2.75% charge

Or

Draw in dollars and convert locally

Draw in US$ where?

Just get a better card in the first place.

dzug1

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Draw in US$ where?

Just get a better card in the first place.

Most SA countries have some cash machines that dispense $US instead of local currency. Though the idea is you spend the $$ rather than change them


No idea what markup local moneychangers would make if you did want to change them though