Cheap Travel Money Discussion Area

pandora205

Now I'd just about decided on a travel money card (either PO as can be used in the future, or Travelex as they do a NZ dollar one) but now I'm not so sure. The write ups are mixed and some people seem to have problems using them abroad, or getting money transferred.

Any recommendations?

Tx

catsy_2

Hello all,

I am going to Florida in approx 3 weeks. My partner and I will have approx £1000-£1500. I have a nationwide account and a credit card is not an option. I was thinking that the best thing to do would be to put £500 on a fairfax card so all that money could be used for gas, food etc and the rest I could change for dollars at the post office. what does everyone think? Also does anyone know how long the prepay cards take to arrive and stuff as it's getting close to xmas and I'm worried I may have left it too late to get one?

terryw

cowboy wrote: »

Dear all,

I'm going to Prague in about a month's time and I was wondering what's the best option for me in terms of travel money? Will it be wise to get a FairFX card (in Euros), which has 0% load for overseas purchases (despite the fact that I can only get them in Euros/US dollars and not Czech Koruna)?

I was also thinking of getting CaxtonFX card for cash withdrawals there (FairFX charges for ATM withdrawal).

Is this a wise idea? Is it better than getting Czech Koruna in cash here in the UK? Thanks in advance. I'm clueless.

I go to Prague quite often......in fact I was there last week. I always pre-load my trusty Nationwide card and just use any cashpoint in Prague to receive CZ crowns.

Under no circumstances be taken in by street sellers particularly in the tourist spots....you will not receive CZ currency.

elliotj

Hi All,

We are going to Thailand for our wedding in Feb. We have been a few times before and usually take cash in UK pounds and get much better exchange rates over there, by shopping around.

However this time we are going for about a month and will need to withdraw 1000-2000 pounds to cover some of the wedding costs and accomodation. As such we dont want to take this all in cash.

The question is, which is better for cash withdrawls from an ATM outside europe, a Santander Zero Credit Card or a Nationwide's Flexaccount Visa Debit card?

Is it possible to reduce the interest on the Santander Zero Credit Card by either preloading it before we go (putting it into credit) or by paying it off vis Internet banking from our main bank account as soon as we make a withdrawl?

As we have a few credit cards, I am leaning towards the Nationwide's Flexaccount Visa Debit card and preloading beforehand, as I assume that the credit criteria will be lower for this than the Santander Zero Credit Card?

Suggestions?

kimamey

Not really an expert on this but I think the nationwide route is best. I have a Zero card and as far as I know there is no way round the interest paid for the month you borrow in.
Hopefully someone else will be able to confirm or correct this.
btw enjoy Thailand. I do.

pandora205

pandora205 wrote: »

Now I'd just about decided on a travel money card (either PO as can be used in the future, or Travelex as they do a NZ dollar one) but now I'm not so sure. The write ups are mixed and some people seem to have problems using them abroad, or getting money transferred.

Any recommendations?

Tx

Just bumping this as I'm still not sure! I don't have a credit card and there isn't time to get one. I have a Lloydstsb debit which would cost a fortune to use more than once or twice (eg payment for car hire has to be by this I think). I will take cash though am unhappy about lots, which leaves Travel Money Cards.

Travelex do NZ dollars but I could be left with some and not go back for some time.

PO Money Card is in dollars, sterling or euros and there is a fee for spending/cashing in other currencies. So - what do I do?

Thanks

urrrbanfox

Hi all,

Not sure if you'll be able to help but I currently have money saved in both euros and pounds, and I was wondering whether the market at the moment means it makes more sense for me to convert one currency over the other when I go to New York this weekend? Perhaps there is a site I don't know about which can advise me?

Many thanks in advance,

Alice

seaweed5254

Hi all,

I am going to North America on Monday. It is so unfortunate that my Nationwide Cashcard was just swallowed by the ATM machine today and i won't be able to take it with me abroad.

I still have a Nationwide debit card, though. I also have an A&L credit card which is part of the santander group. i have a promotional offer of 0% on purchases. I have sent them an email to ask what their charges are if i use it abroad but they haven't replied to me yet. Does anybody know if the promo offer is also good for purchases abroad and how much are their rates ?

my credit card application was declined by santander (formerly abbey) :-(

thanks in advance.

NeilM_2

pandora205 wrote: »

Just bumping this as I'm still not sure! I don't have a credit card and there isn't time to get one. I have a Lloydstsb debit which would cost a fortune to use more than once or twice (eg payment for car hire has to be by this I think). I will take cash though am unhappy about lots, which leaves Travel Money Cards.

Travelex do NZ dollars but I could be left with some and not go back for some time.

PO Money Card is in dollars, sterling or euros and there is a fee for spending/cashing in other currencies. So - what do I do?

Thanks

If you use Travelex, don't leave money on the card when you return home. If you do, and you want to close the account, this can only be done where you bought the card from initially. Travelex only have airport branches, which are well known for giving a poor exchange rate, which is what you get when closing your card.
Trick is to draw everything you can in NZ dollars ( or the currency of your card) before flying home. You can then exchange your currency anywhere once you are back home.
I didn't do this 3 weeks ago when returning from Australia. I had 900+ A$ on my card but got almost £90 less from Travelex than I could have had from the best High Street rate if I had $A cash.

mattylll

NeilM wrote: »

If you use Travelex, don't leave money on the card when you return home. If you do, and you want to close the account, this can only be done where you bought the card from initially. Travelex only have airport branches, which are well known for giving a poor exchange rate, which is what you get when closing your card.
Trick is to draw everything you can in NZ dollars ( or the currency of your card) before flying home. You can then exchange your currency anywhere once you are back home.
I didn't do this 3 weeks ago when returning from Australia. I had 900+ A$ on my card but got almost £90 less from Travelex than I could have had from the best High Street rate if I had $A cash.

How about using some travellers cheques? Will cost a little, but might be the solution for you?