Cheap Travel Money Discussion Area

Baldur

Nicky23 wrote: »

I'm so totally confused now

We're going to South Africa in June - we currently have an Abbey debit card, Lloyds TSB debit card and a Barclays debit card - from what i've read on here we should avoid using these at all??!!

I've read up about the Travelex cash passport which sounds the best option to me - does anyone have an opinion for me on this please?

Have you read through this article on the main site? Nationwide's Flex Account Debit Card (which charges a 1% VISA fee for foreign transactions outside the VISA Europe sphere of operations) or their Cash Card, which currently has no fee for foreign ATM transactions, probably offer the best rates for obtaining local currency.

dzug1

Nicky23 wrote: »

I'm so totally confused now

We're going to South Africa in June - we currently have an Abbey debit card, Lloyds TSB debit card and a Barclays debit card - from what i've read on here we should avoid using these at all??!!

I've read up about the Travelex cash passport which sounds the best option to me - does anyone have an opinion for me on this please?

It could well turn out as expensive as the cards you think you should avoid using.

lolarentt

Nicky23 wrote: »

I'm so totally confused now

We're going to South Africa in June - we currently have an Abbey debit card, Lloyds TSB debit card and a Barclays debit card - from what i've read on here we should avoid using these at all??!!

Definitely! It's got to be the Nationwide debit or credit card with 1% charge - don't think you'll find anything to beat them, and you've plenty of time left to get them.

PNM_2

I am taking a cruise around the Far East later this year and am trying to decide the best way to fund my spending. I shall be visiting China, Japan, Hongkong, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand. The currency on the ship is US $'s. My first thought is a US $ credit card through a currency exchange company, ie Interchange FX. Your experiences would be most welcome, thanks.

John_Pierpoint

It is looking like I will be visiting S.America.

I have both a Nationwide Debit Card & Credit Card.
The best Credit Card for retail purchases looks like the Santander "zero". (I think Santander probably also benefits from local recognition of the brand name).
However for cards used to obtain folding money (cash) the Santander credit card charges an eye watering interest rate of roughly 2% per month.

Can I avoid this charge by overpaying the Santander credit card before I go?

bestyman

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

Can I avoid this charge by overpaying the Santander credit card before I go?

I`ve just come on here to ask exactly the same question.

Moogerz

bestyman wrote: »

I`ve just come on here to ask exactly the same question.

Ditto!

I'm going to Australia in 4 weeks and was going to credit my account to avoid the 2% Interest charge for cash out.

So do we know if this is allowed?????

luci

You will need to read the T&C's of the card, but I remember reading on here a while ago that you couldn't put your account in credit. I can't remember which card this was for so I would check the T&C's carefully or call them to check.

delphinus_2

My fourteen year old is going to France for four days (school trip). What is the best and safest way for them to take money (lunches, some entrance fees and spending)?

dzug1

For a 14 year old - send them with euros in cash. There really is no other way.