Cheap Travel Money Discussion Area

fonzy8

Got a Santander Zero a while ago. Looked like all was good - 0% for everything when abroad. Two things to consider :

1) Used it the first time to get cash through Travelex as I thought it would be a cash payment - it went through as a 'quasi payment' which I'd never heard of before (and neither had the Santander people when I rung at the time - not even in the ts&cs for the card) but basically meant Travelex interest rate and a few quid in additional charges as it wasnt considered cash.

ADVICE : Do not use the card in travel exchanges to get cash!
With the above, I think things have improved since Travelex seem to have a list of what cards they do and dont charge for.

2) Using it abroad in ATMs is great, no loading and exchange rates reasonable. I didnt do it last time but agree with previous post. If you know you're going to get a sum of money out prior to travel, prior to leaving the country arrange a payment to the credit card in anticipation. If you need more money while abroad, either ring your home bank to arrange the transfer (if cheaper for the amount you may get charged - which won't be huge in interest if you're away only for a few days) or live with the interest as a sort of insurance that you're not giving your bank details on an untrusted internet. Pay it back as soon as you're back at your normal internet location.

Depending on your trust with the place you access the internet abroad - I wouldnt say its the best idea to check and transfer bank details online while abroad. Considering internet cafes and hotels may be able to access all your internet traffic (which could allow unscrupulous ones access to your password by analysing it) and if you're using their computers it maybe made easier as it could record everything you type there is a big security risk.

I should add it's the exception rather than the norm and banks are trying to stop this kind of fraud (you may notice when abroad you're asked extra security questions if you have tried it as it's not from your normal internet location), but if the exception gets your card details and the extra info there may be more than interest to worry about!

burnoutbabe

am about to go away to cyprus for a week (next week)

am I still okay to do this

1) use my nationwide debit card over there to spend money on (as fee free on spending and cash withdrawals until 1st Nov).
2) get cash to buy currency to take with me (ICE waterloo looks the best)

ta

dzug1

adindas wrote: »

By this way you will pay interest rate but probably just less than £10.00 for a few days, which is almost nothing.
Do you have any comment on this?

You'd be really hard put to amass £10 in interest in a few days.

dzug1

fonzy8 wrote: »

Got a Santander Zero a while ago. Looked like all was good - 0% for everything when abroad. Two things to consider :

1) Used it the first time to get cash through Travelex as I thought it would be a cash payment - it went through as a 'quasi payment' which I'd never heard of before (and neither had the Santander people when I rung at the time - not even in the ts&cs for the card) but basically meant Travelex interest rate and a few quid in additional charges as it wasnt considered cash.

ADVICE : Do not use the card in travel exchanges to get cash!
With the above, I think things have improved since Travelex seem to have a list of what cards they do and dont charge for.

Sounds weird - particularly as I didn't think it was Travelex that made the charge, but the card company. I suspect a Santander boob.

adindas

I remember see Martin Video Clips about his things. Where a guy mistakenly use their Debit/Credit Card in the travel excange Counters.

Adindas

fonzy8 wrote: »

ADVICE : Do not use the card in travel exchanges to get cash!
With the above, I think things have improved since Travelex seem to have a list of what cards they do and dont charge for.

adindas

Dear Dzug1
I am aware about this as I have shown in my rough calculation in my #895 post.

But I agree that the way i put it is probably quite confusing. What I mean is that if we are quite accurate in putting the amount od cash, we will only charge for the interest rate for the amount of £10.00 for a few days, which is defenitely just a matter of penny (almost nothing).

dzug1 wrote: »

You'd be really hard put to amass £10 in interest in a few days.

dekkard

Hi,

I've started applying online for the Halifax Clarity credit card. In the application form, under 'optional information', it asks for my bank sort code, account number and how long I've held my account.

Does anyone know whether not providing this information will mean I might get a worse APR or credit limit for the card? Incidentally, my main current account is not with the Halifax.

luci

I think it asks for this information so that it can be linked to your Halifax current account if you have one.

AngellicDevil

Hi, me and my sister are going to Egypt for a week on Sunday. I was planning on taking around £500ish exchanged to Egyptian Pounds. After a discussion with my mother I am now rather confused. She has said to me it is better to take about £200 exchanged and then withdraw money if I need more, as if I take out a large amount I will only get a small charge. (I am with Natwest) She is concerned how much I will loose if I get pick pocketed etc etc.
What is the best thing for me to do?! So confused!

John_Pierpoint

It depends on what you are going to do in Egypt.
I would be concerned to walk the streets where 500 GBP is probably more than six months wages for many people.

http://www.alternativeegypt.com/Money/Tipping-in-Egypt.html

Personally I have a dislike of tourism that encourages foreigners to go to little ghettos of foreigners and behave in a way that local people can never afford.

Mind you the Egyptians get treated like that by their brother Arabls from the lightly populated oil states.