The Cheapest Way to Spend Overseas Discussion Area

pin

swizzle wrote:

But will I be able to buy a cup of coffee with a debit card?

Larger stuff are ok. but small stuff?

Again, don't see why not.

In dubai airport in may i bought a 50p bottle of water using my credit card.

mark_steps

On holiday next week with the OH. If we both use our cards to pay for goods, so not withdrawing from the ATM, are we charged for this? Like can i switch things and not be charged a silly fee?

QT2006

pin wrote:

I have answered this question a few times.

Ordinarily I would spell it out again, but am hungover. Have a dig around the forums (including this thread) and you will find the answer.

No worries, I think i have figured it out, can i just ask for ANYONE...I gather you can't buy online with Thomas Global, so how do you tell travelex that they have a better rate...use the currency exchange and quote that??

I am going away on Weds and I know they need 24 hrs notice, so I wanna book today..

Cheers

hammy_the_hammer

just back from the US and my recent nationwide credit card statement had arrived and in the 1st week of september we received a rate of $1.90 to the £. once i have checked our nationwide bank account i should be able to give you an idea of the rate from an ATM.
as i have said in other threads the few $100 travellers cheques we had left from our last trip to the states were as easily used as any other method of payment ...they didn't even flinch at me using $100 ones for purchases under $10

pin

QT2006 wrote:

No worries, I think i have figured it out, can i just ask for ANYONE...I gather you can't buy online with Thomas Global, so how do you tell travelex that they have a better rate...use the currency exchange and quote that??

I am going away on Weds and I know they need 24 hrs notice, so I wanna book today..

Cheers

Ring TEG up, get the rate.

Order via travelex online as you would normally.

Email Travelex (details of email address on the Travelex website. If you look at the T&Cs of their price promise the address is there). When emailing state your Travelex ref no., where you have seen the cheapest currency (i.e. TEG) and what the rate was, your address (so they can send a cheque refunding the difference) and that is about it.

They will normally acknowledge receipt of your email.

QT2006

Cheers pin your a Star with a capital 'S'

tobys_mummy_2

does anyone know the buy-back rate at M&S for euros at the moment?

pin

Have updated the list to include information on the Travelex price promise:

[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Hi, Here is my list of top places on how to get money to spend abroad:

1. Nationwide Debit Card for ATM withdrawals from destination country (no foreign loading) / Nationwide Credit Card or the Audi credit card for purchases in destination country (but watch out for Dynamic Currency Conversion) (no foreign loading for purchases, BUT watch charges for cash withdrawals).
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=times new roman, new york, times, serif][FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=times new roman, new york, times, serif][FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]
2. SAGA credit card (if you are over 50) for purchases in destination country (no foreign loading for European purchases, 1% for rest of the world, no cash withdrawal interest if balance repaid in full BUT 1.5%/£1.50 cash withdrawal fee).

3. Any other debit card for ATM withdrawals from destination country / any other credit card for purchases in destination country (but for both CHECK T&C's to see exact charges).

4. Thomas Exchange Global ("TEG") in central London - pay and pick up at store.

5. Travelex online (remember Travelex will price match any other exchange service, i.e. the one above) -pay online, pick up at airport.

For price matching: order through Travelex online as you would do normally, then call up TEG (02072401214 or 02078281880) and get a quote re their exchange rate. Email Travelex: [EMAIL="customerservices@travelex.com"]customerservices@travelex.com[/EMAIL] (must be done on the same day) stating the following: your Travelex reference number, your currency quote from TEG (and the fact you got it from TEG) and your address (Travelex will send you a cheque refunding the difference). Also Travelex normally acknowledge receipt of your email. Full terms and conditions of the Travelex Price Promise are on the Travelex website.

6. Marks and Spencer - pay online or pay and pick up instore.

7. Online FX (using this link ensures free deliver) - pay online, delivery to home.

8. Thomson Travel (they seem to use Amex as their travel money provider) - pay online, delivery to home.

9. Co-op Travel (they use Currency Express / Exchange and offer free delivery for orders over £300) - pay online, delivery to home.

10. Post Office (while probably not the best rate, there are many of them around, so may be convenient) - pay online, pick up at PO or pay and pick up at PO.

11. Haggle with High Street travel agent (which may ensure better rates than 5 to 9 above) - pay and pick up instore.

With 4 - 11, if you are paying with debit / credit card check your T&C's as many providers charge for the privilege of using money exchange services.

Here are links to ATM locators: VISA and MasterCard

Also please read Martin's article: Spending Overseas and Loading Technicals

Also look at the these forum threads: Travel Money: The List & The Cheapest Way to Spend Overseas Discussion Area and How to buy TCs and foreign currency

Hope this all helps!![/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]

PiratePete

I have recently retuned from Spain ( Alcosebre ) and was charged 2.5% commission at two separate banks ATM’s locally, to withdraw cash.
I have used this method before and have never been charged this commission.
I contacted nationwide about it but their reply was that they have no control over foreign bank charges. Fair enough I suppose.
Has anyone else been charged commission ?

terrierlady

does anyone have a list of atm in the disney area so we know which banksfor nationwide debit card to use please?