Cheap Travel Money Discussion Area

thebirches

We have a Ukash prepaid travel money card with money on, but are unable to access it.

When I received the card I followed the instructions on the letter that arrived with the card i.e. text the pin then the last eight digits of the card to 0786 002 4391.

I then went to a UK cash machine just to make sure I was able to access it. The ATM rejected the PIN, tried again but still no good, didn't want to risk a third time just in case the machine ate the card.

I have contacted Ukash via email, tried phoning but was in a queue for ages and gave up as there was no indication of position in queue. The reply via email was very confusing, stating I should have received a reply from my text, which I never did.

They said I would be able to receive another pin, but I'd have to pay 0.69 euro. Bit disgruntled at having to pay for something when I'm not sure if the first attempt has worked.

Can anyone advise me on how I activate the card.

Really appreciate any help with this

Thanks

oliviacooper

Hi, I'm going on holiday to France in October, and want to lock into the currently beneficial exchange rates. Do I need to buy euros now or is there a way to pre-book at today's rates for collection in October? I have a Halifax clarity card, but assume that will give me spot rates in October, which could be worse than today's rates...

Thoughts please?
Thanks in advance,
Olivia

stanley_road

oliviacooper wrote: »

Hi, I'm going on holiday to France in October, and want to lock into the currently beneficial exchange rates. Do I need to buy euros now or is there a way to pre-book at today's rates for collection in October? I have a Halifax clarity card, but assume that will give me spot rates in October, which could be worse than today's rates...

Thoughts please?
Thanks in advance,
Olivia

This is almost the same as my query. I also have a Halifax Clarity & want to purchase some dollars before heading to the USofA next month. I'm probably asking a really obvious question, but how do I do this ? I've been through the cheap money guide & it tells me to use my credit card. Help !

NiftyDigits

stanley_road wrote: »

This is almost the same as my query. I also have a Halifax Clarity & want to purchase some dollars before heading to the USofA next month. I'm probably asking a really obvious question, but how do I do this ? I've been through the cheap money guide & it tells me to use my credit card. Help !

The best possible rate as indicated by TravelMoneyMax is US$1.691 against the US$1.712 available with the card whilst in the USA.

So what benefit do you hope to gain by buying now?

stanley_road

NiftyDigits wrote: »

The best possible rate as indicated by TravelMoneyMax is US$1.691 against the US$1.712 available with the card whilst in the USA.

So what benefit do you hope to gain by buying now?

Thanks Nifty.

Basically my wife is quite a worrier & we would like some dollars in advance of going to the US "just in case". I also want to give the kids some Dollars.

NiftyDigits

stanley_road wrote: »

Thanks Nifty.

Basically my wife is quite a worrier & we would like some dollars in advance of going to the US "just in case". I also want to give the kids some Dollars.

Just in case of what?? That every ATM machine in the city is faulty on the day that you arrive?
Take cash from the ATM and hand it to the 'kids'.
Tell your wife to stop stressing.

choccherub

Just got back from our holiday touring Germany from Dusseldorf down to Bavaria. They don't seem to like credit cards of any sort in shops, restaurants etc. We were able to use our FairFX card in petrol stations and a few shops but, in the end, had to draw out our euros at an ATM which doesn't give such a good rate. My daughter took the card to Corfu in June and said she could have used it almost anywhere. But if you are going to Germany, I recommend taking cash.

workingnomad

Hope this post is ok as I do not work for Citibank or have any affiliation but I travel an awful lot for work (as you can see from my username!) and have found an excellent solution for travel money.

Along with the excellent Halifax Clarity Mastercard I have a Citibank international account with various sub-current / deposits accounts within in EUR, USD, AUD, CAN, NZD and CHF.

I basically transfer the cash in direct from my current account and get a perfect exchange rate.

I have a Citibank Visa Debit Card (only to be used outside the UK) and I can go online and switch it to attach the various different currency accounts depending on where I am. It's usually switched to EUR or USD.

I have never had any ATM charges, only occasional local charges which are flashed up on the screen and affect all cards. I have used this in countries such as Cambodia, Laos where the USD is widely used and obviously in the USA itself, used throughout the Eurozone for EUR and also downunder (AUD/NZD).

It has saved me a fortune in fees and along with the Clarity card for ATM withdrawals in countries with other currencies it's a very worthwhile weapon for currency/banking fees!

Citibank UK also has awesome customer service on the phone, better than any bank/mobile phone etc that I have ever had to deal with!

Happy to post more if you need any further details.

NiftyDigits

workingnomad wrote: »

Hope this post is ok as I do not work for Citibank or have any affiliation but I travel an awful lot for work (as you can see from my username!) and have found an excellent solution for travel money.

Along with the excellent Halifax Clarity Mastercard I have a Citibank international account with various sub-current / deposits accounts within in EUR, USD, AUD, CAN, NZD and CHF.

I basically transfer the cash in direct from my current account and get a perfect exchange rate.

I have a Citibank Visa Debit Card (only to be used outside the UK) and I can go online and switch it to attach the various different currency accounts depending on where I am. It's usually switched to EUR or USD.

I have never had any ATM charges, only occasional local charges which are flashed up on the screen and affect all cards. I have used this in countries such as Cambodia, Laos where the USD is widely used and obviously in the USA itself, used throughout the Eurozone for EUR and also downunder (AUD/NZD).

It has saved me a fortune in fees and along with the Clarity card for ATM withdrawals in countries with other currencies it's a very worthwhile weapon for currency/banking fees!

Citibank UK also has awesome customer service on the phone, better than any bank/mobile phone etc that I have ever had to deal with!

Happy to post more if you need any further details.

Actual exchange rates, replete with dates would be good.

SteveBentley

I normally use a Caxton fx card, but I've just moved my current account to Santander and I understand I can use their ATMs in Spain without charge. Any advice on which is likely to be the cheapest option?

Cheers