Cash abroad

spikeywan

Guys,

What's the cheapest option for having cash abroad?

Get it in the UK and take it with you? Debit card from a foreign cash machine, or something like the Santander Zero credit card in a foreign cash machine?

Also, if you need more cash whilst abroad, what's the cheapest way to get it?

Thanks.

Incapuppy

Try reading the relevant articles on the Travel Resource bar at the top of this page, there is plenty of good info there.

mikeouk

spikeywan wrote: »

Guys,

What's the cheapest option for having cash abroad?

Get it in the UK and take it with you? Debit card from a foreign cash machine, or something like the Santander Zero credit card in a foreign cash machine?

Also, if you need more cash whilst abroad, what's the cheapest way to get it?

Thanks.

ive just come back from the usa and took a fairfx prepaid credit card with me, it was great because i had internet access while there and could check my balance and top up when needed. You get far better exchange rate than taking cash aswell.

KonkyWonky

Nationwide FlexAccount.....

mich_city

i'm taking a fairfx card, should be enough on it but will have CC card just in case.. wondered, is it chip and pin in the US or do you sign for CC transactions?

thanks!

ferf1223

mich_city wrote: »

i'm taking a fairfx card, should be enough on it but will have CC card just in case.. wondered, is it chip and pin in the US or do you sign for CC transactions?

You sign...ususally on an electronic screen. And depending on where you are going in the US, they may or may not require a photo ID along with your signature...most places in the US I have been over the last few years have asked for photo ID, so I normally just have it ready.

Indout96

FairFX here as well :beer:

Also re the ID, Kathy has used her old non photo licence as ID as well. They are a bit confused by it but have excepted it all over.

gnats_chuff

have both fairfax and caxton and i'd say caxton tips it to the winning post - the no atm fees is a big YES and the fact that you can call them without spending a FORTUNE on the BT (which you get with old fairfax) is also a plus. Overall I give ten STARS to Caxto and seven to Fair

3_cheeky_princesses

I have gone for Fairfax for buying meals out, tickets etc and then Caxton for getting cash out the ATM as there is no charge. I prefer Caxton too as their CS is very good when you phone them too. Fairfax has slightly better exchange rate.

I am basing this on the Euro card but i think it all applies for all their cards

spikeywan

I just had a thought, would this work?

I have a Santander Zero credit card, which won't charge for being used abroad, and doesn't charge for withdrawing cash.

They do however charge interest on the cash withdrawn from the day you get it, until the day you pay the bill.

So...

What if I paid an extra say £300 to the card, so I was in credit. Would it then be free to withdraw cash up to the £300 that was on the card?

benjus

spikeywan wrote: »

I just had a thought, would this work?

I have a Santander Zero credit card, which won't charge for being used abroad, and doesn't charge for withdrawing cash.

They do however charge interest on the cash withdrawn from the day you get it, until the day you pay the bill.

So...

What if I paid an extra say £300 to the card, so I was in credit. Would it then be free to withdraw cash up to the £300 that was on the card?

From the T&C:

5.7 You should not make payments that place the Account in credit. If you do, we may still restrict use of the Card and the Account to the amount of your credit limit.

Doesn't sound like terrible consequences... might be worth a try. Alternatively, if you have access to online banking while you're away you could time your transactions to pay off the card shortly after you make the withdrawal.