Cheap Travel Money Discussion Area

Kernow666

just got back from vegas and most ATMs charge between $3 & $5 on the strip , although you get better rate if you have a card what you gain you will lose when you draw out , there are some off strip ATMs that are free but a long trek

NiftyDigits

rarrarrar wrote: »

Okay I see where you are coming from.
Exchange rates on CC transactions was 1.26, so using my CC was cheaper than paying with UK bought Euros.

Perhaps that was when the exchange rate was 1.27+...which was so, until around November the 10th.

em_z

I know there are no crystal balls but...is the US dollar rate likely to increase between now & Xmas? I'm just wondering whether this (historically) usually happens as people start spending for Xmas & boosting the economies of the UK & US?

beehappy

In less than 6 weeks I am giving up my flat and going to Thailand for 2 months (I've booked a one way ticket!), possibly around SE Asia for a bit too, then I am going on a working holiday visa to Australia for up to one year, I am planning on potentially travelling to India or elsewhere after Australia. I'm doing this because I finished uni and have been planning to travel for a while, now is as good a time as any.

I saved up a fair bit of cash from my part time work, over 7k (some of which, ideally 2k, I am keeping for emergencies and when I get back), I quit my job to go travelling too. Unfortunately I believe this has meant I was rather annoyingly declined for the travel credit cards! I should have applied earlier in the year when I was still working.

So now I am looking at prepaid cards, but as I am going to be in many countries, which is the best one to use? I am confused. I currently have a Santander graduate account which is one of the best for my situation here in the UK, but too expensive for overseas spending. I don't want to change my current account so who can recommend the best pre paid travel card? :money::money::money:

SallySunshine

I use FairFx for a euro card, they do charge a small amount each time you withdraw, Caxton don't charge but it used to be a lower exchange rate.
My daughter used the dollar card in America recently and loved the way you could top up funds from her bank.
You could use an anywhere card which will change your card funds into any currency, but that will depend on the local exchange rate on the day you withdraw.

NiftyDigits

beehappy wrote: »

In less than 6 weeks I am giving up my flat and going to Thailand for 2 months (I've booked a one way ticket!), possibly around SE Asia for a bit too, then I am going on a working holiday visa to Australia for up to one year, I am planning on potentially travelling to India or elsewhere after Australia. I'm doing this because I finished uni and have been planning to travel for a while, now is as good a time as any.

I saved up a fair bit of cash from my part time work, over 7k (some of which, ideally 2k, I am keeping for emergencies and when I get back), I quit my job to go travelling too. Unfortunately I believe this has meant I was rather annoyingly declined for the travel credit cards! I should have applied earlier in the year when I was still working.

So now I am looking at prepaid cards, but as I am going to be in many countries, which is the best one to use? I am confused. I currently have a Santander graduate account which is one of the best for my situation here in the UK, but too expensive for overseas spending. I don't want to change my current account so who can recommend the best pre paid travel card? :money::money::money:

You won't be leaving the airport here unless you have obtained a Tourist Visa for Thailand.

You should take a combination of two Prepaid cards.

Kalixa Pay for all Purchases and ATM withdrawals over the equivalent of £80.
Caxton Global Traveller for your small ATM withdrawals and for when a VISA card is required, as opposed to a Mastercard.

Before you ask, look here

beehappy

Thank you for the responses so far. I'm going to sleep on it for now then take a look at the options in more detail tomorrow.

For the visa, the UK (and some other nationalities) are exempt. This means they get a tourist visa waiver for 30 days upon entering Thailand, no visa required. Anyone wishing to stay longer can then apply in country (if they so wish) for a tourist visa.

Information is available on the trip advisor website (MSE forum won't let me post the link because I am a new poster)

NiftyDigits

beehappy wrote: »

Thank you for the responses so far. I'm going to sleep on it for now then take a look at the options in more detail tomorrow.

For the visa, the UK (and some other nationalities) are exempt. This means they get a tourist visa waiver for 30 days upon entering Thailand, no visa required. Anyone wishing to stay longer can then apply in country (if they so wish) for a tourist visa.

Information is available on the trip advisor website (MSE forum won't let me post the link because I am a new poster)

As I wrote once before... I won't be telling you again...if you do not get a Tourist Visa before leaving, you will not be leaving the airport. Heed the warning.
The Waiver is for eligible travellers who have a confirmed ticket leaving Thailand within thirty days. You do not.
As for the nonsense of applying for a Tourist Visa within Thailand...you would be in for a rude awakening.
Get a Visa! Pronto!
What's happened to the Universities of today? How does it work? Ignore the bits that you don't understand?
My advice is not negotiable. It's the best that you are going to get.

beehappy

Are you going on personal experience? If you have a reference to this information that would be great, so I can show my friend. My friend goes to Thailand every year and he has booked a return ticket but it is for 60 days travel. He's the one that informed me I didn't need a visa on arrival, and he said he doesn't either.

beehappy

I just checked the embassy webpage and it does say about having a return ticket, for up to 30 days. So I am not sure what my friend is doing but I will get a visa now just to be in the safe side. I will talk to him about it as well, maybe talk to someone from the embassy over the phone.