Cheap Travel Money Discussion Area

alan_p_brown

Si01327 wrote: »

So use the Clarity card to purchase Euros when we're out there then?! Or use it to pay for things where possible and just hunt around for the best currency deal here in the UK in order to take some cash out with us when we go?

Just to confirm... I agree with eDicky, use ATMs to get cash, ig given the choice between being charged in local currency or pounds, always select the local currency. As with the UK, try to avoid ATMs that charge you for using them.

As for your question about putting money on the card (pre-loading) before you go, read your small print! I know that mine says that this is not allowed and may result in the card being cancelled. I hear others have checked theirs and do not have that statement.
Personally I have never risked it, but when I get back I pay my own estimate of the full amount (even for transactions that haven't appeared yet). This leaves the account positive, and normally still positive by a few pounds after all the transactions have come in, and not had any problems. At least this way the interest is cut off as soon as possible (but even a few hundred points of spending spread over a fortnight doesn't generate much interest)

SaffyStraw

Hi
I am off to Greece on Monday with my two children - having now read that I only possess 'cards from hell' do I just take cash? I am travelling alone with young children and am not sure I really want all this cash on me but unable to see an alternative - I won't have time to get a 'nicer' credit/debit card and am not even sure there is a safe in our room. All help appreciated (or bring back TChqs!). Thanks

eDicky

SaffyStraw wrote: »

Hi
I am off to Greece on Monday with my two children - having now read that I only possess 'cards from hell' do I just take cash? I am travelling alone with young children and am not sure I really want all this cash on me but unable to see an alternative - I won't have time to get a 'nicer' credit/debit card and am not even sure there is a safe in our room. All help appreciated (or bring back TChqs!). Thanks

If you are in the London area just drop by a Metro Bank branch and open an account, they will immediately issue your debit card which is totally fee free in Europe.

You could sign up for Revolut on your smartphone and order the card, hoping it arrives by Monday, or request an 'emergency' card to be sent immediately for a £5 charge.

Otherwise, buying cash euros will cost you an exchange rate margin more or less similar to that of using your 'cards from hell', so you may as well use them in preference to worrying about having the cash with you.

Hoseman

I need some advice please. Going to Spain on Monday and will be taking cash plus I want a card to use. I left it late for the Halifax Clarity card unfortunately. (I did contact Revolut and they told me I could get a card before I go so I installed the app and yesterday they informed that I need to pay for an emergency card - as the one sent wont reach me in time - in spite of me calling and asking about getting it in time. Poor service/advice.) I need an alternative that is going to be cost effective. I dont mind what type of card it is as long as I can get it in time. Any ideas?

NiftyDigits

Hoseman wrote: »

I need some advice please. Going to Spain on Monday and will be taking cash plus I want a card to use. I left it late for the Halifax Clarity card unfortunately. (I did contact Revolut and they told me I could get a card before I go so I installed the app and yesterday they informed that I need to pay for an emergency card - as the one sent wont reach me in time - in spite of me calling and asking about getting it in time. Poor service/advice.) I need an alternative that is going to be cost effective. I dont mind what type of card it is as long as I can get it in time. Any ideas?

If the emergency card costs £5, do you think it no longer cost effective?
Did Revolut force you to leave it until a few days before travel before applying for a card?

Get yourself to a Metro Bank and pick up a debit card on the spot. Hopefully it will cost you less than £5 to travel to and fro.

Hoseman

NiftyDigits wrote: »

If the emergency card costs £5, do you think it no longer cost effective?
Did Revolut force you to leave it until a few days before travel before applying for a card?

Get yourself to a Metro Bank and pick up a debit card on the spot. Hopefully it will cost you less than £5 to travel to and fro.

Thanks for that.

Revolut didn't force me to leave it late for applying for a card but they did provide crap advice. If the person I spoke to had a clue about their service I wouldnt be here asking this question. I hope that is ok with you.

NiftyDigits

Hoseman wrote: »

Thanks for that.

Revolut didn't force me to leave it late for applying for a card but they did provide crap advice. If the person I spoke to had a clue about their service I wouldnt be here asking this question. I hope that is ok with you.

I can't speak for Revolut. Perhaps they were referring to an emergency card in the first instance, but maybe failed to mention the £5 cost.
So, perhaps the advice wasn't crap after all. The issue is that you don't want to pay £5 for expedited delivery of an emergency card.
There is no way that they would guarantee the normal card would get to you by Saturday, if you only applied yesterday. It might, but if you want to be sure you pay extra for an emergency card. be aware that the emergency card likely has no name on it, so useful only for cash advances and online payments.

BillboBaggins

Hi, I have religiously used my halifax clarity credit card abroad, having followed the advice on MSE. However, I recently came across a page on the halifax website (see travel/help-guidance/using-debit-credit-cards-abroad/) that has got me worried as it looks like their debit card actually outperforms the clarity card (even when the non-sterling fee is taken off). Could someone give me some clarity (sorry!)? Thanks, bill

Hoseman

NiftyDigits wrote: »

I can't speak for Revolut. Perhaps they were referring to an emergency card in the first instance, but maybe failed to mention the £5 cost.
So, perhaps the advice wasn't crap after all. The issue is that you don't want to pay £5 for expedited delivery of an emergency card.
There is no way that they would guarantee the normal card would get to you by Saturday, if you only applied yesterday. It might, but if you want to be sure you pay extra for an emergency card. be aware that the emergency card likely has no name on it, so useful only for cash advances and online payments.

The advice was poor. I know what I asked.

The issue here is more about poor service. I was annoyed that they got it so wrong so it doesn't fill me with confidence.

Thanks for additional advice btw as you're right, it doesn't have a name. If I cant make payments in a restaurant/bar then it really isn't very useful.

NiftyDigits

Hoseman wrote: »

The advice was poor. I know what I asked.

The issue here is more about poor service. I was annoyed that they got it so wrong so it doesn't fill me with confidence.

Thanks for additional advice btw as you're right, it doesn't have a name. If I cant make payments in a restaurant/bar then it really isn't very useful.

It certainly is still useful. Get another card and you are certainly going to have to spend more than £5 in fees.
Better to use cash anyway. I certainly never hand a debit over to anyone for payment. CC only. You need to get over yourself and to be more practical. Revolut is still good for £500 of cash withdrawals. So a 1% charge overall if you pay the £5 charge.