Cheap Travel Money Discussion Area

SIRUSKEY

found it

http://www.nationwide.co.uk/search/DisplayArticle.aspx?article=1259

Baldur

SIRUSKEY wrote: »

if when i travel to tenerifie in 3 weeks i use my nationwide debit card for cash withdrawls how do i know what exchange rate im getting?

ie how can i compare it to buying euros here

Nationwide Debit Card withdrawals are set at VISA's daily exchange rate - simply select the currency of your card and the currency in which the transaction is to be conducted and enter '0' in the "Enter bank fee" box.

For example, €200 withdrawn from a Eurozone ATM today would cost you £178.40 (€1=89pence/£1=€1.12).

AlisterGripes

Martin lists three pre-paid cards with the Travelex card bottom of his hit-parade rated on what appears to be best exchange rates.
Here is a little something that I feel should be taken into consideration when selecting which card to opt for.
If you are a regular flyer with Ryanair and don't already have, or can't get a Visa Electron card from your bank then I suggest you opt for the Travelex card as you can save a bundle of cash.
The two other "preferred" cards are Master Card and if used when booking flights with Ryanair will incur additional charges whereas the Travelex card will not, potentially saving hundreds of pounds.
Also, to save even more money you can get a Travelex sterling card and not lose money in the exchange.

koru

Something not mentioned in the article is paying with Paypal. Obviously, you can only do this when purchasing online from a vendor who takes Paypal (such as for a villa rental).

Paypal converts into £ at a rate which I understand includes a 2.5% spread. But, it gives you the option to buy in the original currency and let your card do the conversion, so I assume this would be better, assuming you pay with one of the few cards that does not add a loading to the rate or charge a fee.

DJFearRoss

I'm moving to Spain, but still getting paid in pounds sterling from my business.

I have a Halifax account & Nationwide Bank Account. (both GBP)

Would it be cheaper to open a Haliax Euro account (and transfer the money to my wifes Euro account on a regular basis) or simply withdraw money from my Nationwide Debit Card in Spain on a regular basis.

any advise would be appreciated

AndrewAfresh

You have to be careful with the FairFx card – I’ve only had mine a couple of months but, when I tried to charge it up recently, was told its been deactivated and I’ve lost the money I had on it. The Travelex Passport seems (according to the Ts&Cs) to last forever.

jetfighter

I'm travelling to New York City for 8 days in a week's time, and have left it a bit late to get myself sorted out with a credit card.

I'm planning to visit a lot of restaurants and do some shopping when I'm over there, so what would be my best option for spending? I can't work it out.

Any advice would be appreciated!

charleston1

i went to nationwide to open a flex account with the e saver as advised on this website for my travels.

they weren't that great on the info side and shunned me off with the card cash application form.

I'm stuck on what to do.

i went back for more info, convinced they just didn't want to give me the card.
apparently the card cash account is like the flex account but u dont have to do anything else (such as open an e saver or be an existing customer) but it is a cirrus card which is just for withdrawals, unlike the visa its free to withdraw outside of the eurozone so no 1% charge.
she couldnt give me more info on the visa debit flex, such as does the 1% charge stand for buying things on the card and using for booking hostels in foreign countries? is it worth me just getting the card cash account, withdrawing for free then paying with cash wherever i go? or wud the visa be better? i'm scared the visa flex comes with charges? plz help me i dont know what to do.

eeeeek xx

kellymarie83

Im backpacking around australia in a few months and want to get my banks sorted before I go, but am a little confused which would be best! I will be doing some work over there so will open an australian bank account, but will still need to withdraw cash from my english account. Would it be best to...
1. keep my english natwest account and transfer money into the australian account to withdraw cash or
2. open a nationwide savings account and transfer money into a nationwide account online to withdraw cash?

I was also thinking of opening a top-up card for use in emergencies... which is the best for no charges and best exchange rates?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks :-)

Baldur

charleston1 wrote: »

i went back for more info, convinced they just didn't want to give me the card.
apparently the card cash account is like the flex account but u dont have to do anything else (such as open an e saver or be an existing customer) but it is a cirrus card which is just for withdrawals, unlike the visa its free to withdraw outside of the eurozone so no 1% charge.
she couldnt give me more info on the visa debit flex, such as does the 1% charge stand for buying things on the card and using for booking hostels in foreign countries? is it worth me just getting the card cash account, withdrawing for free then paying with cash wherever i go? or wud the visa be better? i'm scared the visa flex comes with charges? plz help me i dont know what to do.

See HERE - the information covers both Visa Debit Cards and the Cash Card, if you read through the links.