Cheap Travel Money Discussion Area

stebunting

Hi all,

I am going to be working in South America next month for an American band, and subsequently will be paid in dollars cash (nothing dodgy I swear, it's all above board!).

What I want to know is where can I find comparison services for the best conversion rates from US $ to GBP? The only comparison I can find on this website is buying foreign currency, not selling it.

Thanks in advance!
Steve.

Victor_Delta

I think the last Q&A (re card blocking) on Martin's Cheap Travel Money guide may need updating.

Q. My card was blocked while I was abroad, is there anything I can do to prevent this?
A. To prevent fraud, most card companies track ‘unusual transactions’ and if there’s evidence they slam the breaks on and stop the card being accepted. The best thing to do, unless you’re a regular traveller who spends overseas a lot, is call up the card company to let it know you’re going abroad. Usually, though sadly not always, this stops any problems. If it happens to you while you’re away call up the card company as soon as possible.

Whatever the situation in the past, it now appears that most if not all banks and card companies use an automatic blocking system (Sentinel) which they have no ability, or apparent desire, to stop. Hence they do not want customers to tell them in advance if going abroad, and appear to have no way of even recording such information. See http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1630445.

V

dinoc

Am going abroad to Spain, staying half board in hotel. Don't know where nearest ATM would be so don't want to rely on credit card, and as half board just really need cash for low value purchases (drinks/snacks).

For security purposes want to take travellers cheques, so protected in the event of theft.

In the past have taken Euro cheques but as still charged commission when changing for cash abroad, I'm wondering whether it would be best to take sterling cheques instead.

Any advise welcome.

luci

Defintely sterling travellers cheques for changing in Europe.

Sid_Harper

I tend to take out cash abroad - it would seem that in this regard Nationwide's Debit Card (which I already have) is still top of the pile in charging me 1% - though for card purchases Post Office is tops.

Is that right?

Historically I've got fantastic rates from Nationwide on purchases, so am thinking that can a 1% charge (£10 per £1000) really make it much (if at all) less competitive than changing cash using whatever other method?

EDIT: by 'abroad' I meant outside of Europe - we're saving Europe for when Baby Harper is too much of a handful for long-haul!

Sokat

Can anyone tell me which of the following is the better option for a prepaid card. I know Martin says in the article the cheapest is the Fairfx but I wondered if he had heard of the STA travel cash card or the Gap Year card as I dont know how new they are. I am going round the world for 18 months and am looking at comparing the following for cards:

FairFX
Post office cash card
Sta Travel
Gap year

I will also be taking my nationwide debit card, please help as I need to decide quick!!!!

Thanks

Sophie

GRoth

stuartt007 wrote: »

So we all know that the Nationwide Visa Debit card will start charging us from May/June this year for all non-European transactions, but what's the score with their Cashcard account? What does it use instead of Visa for foreign ATM cash withdrawals? Is there zero fee on this card post May/June? Is it therefore the best card to take on holiday for non-european destinations, assuming all you want to do is ATM transactions?

I wondered this myself. Is it just a LINK card (no idea if these even exist any more!) or maybe a cirrus?

jago25_98

Just got my notice that nationwide is no longer good for foriegn debit transactions with the new fee.

I guess it's still ok for cash. So I'll have to risk having coins leftover.

hushpuppy

Hi everyone, I am going to the US on Thursday and I have the NW Flex card, but I am really confused with the changes, is it still the cheapest card to use abroad and also the best way to withdraw money or should I exchange some before I go?

Please help!

Sid_Harper

People only seem to be visiting here to post questions these days. Ho hum! (I'm one of them, but noone has responded )