The Cheapest Way to Spend Overseas Discussion Area

dzug

twinkle162 wrote: »

The guy I was talking to in Nationwide, said yes, I could od that. Is there any benefit to doing that over using my Ulster bank direct debit?

Yes - Ulsterbank will charge you an exchange rate fee of 2.65% plus (depending on exactly what card they give you) a further fee.
Nationwide will not.

KD

Have searched through forum and can't see much on this product.

Has anyone used this card?

The idea is you preload it with money (exchanged from sterling when preloaded) and them spend like a debit /credit card - but not sure if there are any charges.

I am going to Florida and mainly taking cash, so want to use this as an 'emergency pot' that i can dip into if needed to save me carrrying lots of cash around. I didn't plan to take travellers cheques. When I return home, I can re-exchange what's left.

Any thoughts?

maz47

I am going abroad to Germany for a few months and was hoping to access my if com account online, from my own computer at a friend's house there. I have been advised by if com that it is not safe to do this although telephone banking is ok. I would much rather work online as it is easier to keep track. Has anyone else heard of this.

Donnie

Obviously not that intelligent at IF. I think the dumbkopf is getting confused about using Internet Cafes whilst abroad.
You'll be fine.

Donnie

twinkle162 wrote: »

Which is just the equivalent of Mastercard. I'm unlikely to qualify for it because I'm a full time student, see previous post. Got turned down for PO card & Nationwide DD.

What on earth....?

Audi(CitiFinancial Europe) and the PO(Bank of Ireland) use different providers. Mastercard don't decide on whether you receive a card.

Get your parents to apply and then get an additional card for you.


Always nice to say thank you.

twinkle162

Donnie wrote: »

What on earth....?

Audi(CitiFinancial Europe) and the PO(Bank of Ireland) use different providers. Mastercard don't decide on whether you receive a card.

Get your parents to apply and then get an additional card for you.


Always nice to say thank you.

That's quite a good idea re: the parents thing! Excuse my ignorance re: Mastercard. My current knowledge extends as far as having one Ulster Bank Visa card and not spending on it, unless absolutely necessary.

Surely if I'm not eligible for a PO card, its unlikely that I'll get an Audi card?

twinkle162

dzug wrote: »

Yes - Ulsterbank will charge you an exchange rate fee of 2.65% plus (depending on exactly what card they give you) a further fee.
Nationwide will not.

Thanks for that!

dzug

KD wrote: »

Have searched through forum and can't see much on this product.

Has anyone used this card?

The idea is you preload it with money (exchanged from sterling when preloaded) and them spend like a debit /credit card - but not sure if there are any charges.

I am going to Florida and mainly taking cash, so want to use this as an 'emergency pot' that i can dip into if needed to save me carrrying lots of cash around. I didn't plan to take travellers cheques. When I return home, I can re-exchange what's left.

Any thoughts?

Yes. To thoughts that is. I'd never dream of using it.

It's an expensive if convenient way of taking your money - probably THE most expensive way. There are charges which are more than most other methods.

skibob

One for everyone going overseas with a credit card to watch out for.
On a recent trip to Italy I paid for our hotel with my Egg credit card.
The hotel made a mistake on the final bill, putting through the wrong amount on the card machine.
Once noticed this was then put through as a credit and the correct amount then charged to the EGG card.
No problem you would think - just like at home. Sorted !
Ough no - when I get the statement they charged 2.5% service fee on both debit charges and the credit !!! AND the exchange rate difference, yes - unbelievably on the debits they charged one rate on the credit, done at the same time as I stood at reception, they charged 5% lower rate !!!!! Making me £50 worse off for the pleasure of correcting the hotel bill.

On the plus side I complained to EGG and they have "as a gesture of goodwill" given me back the difference, but is it me, they even started their reply with "thank you for using your Egg card overseas".

Martin - keep up the campaigning ~ always stop and listen when I hear your voice on the TV or radio, happy for people to have a business and turn a profit but doesn't have sting when they try and shaft you at every opportunity.

Final thought ~ Egg can get stuffed. account closed and I'm moving on to another provider, once bitten ........

mbb_2

just back from Canada, Halifax debit card would not work in bank or machines.Apparently you need to inform halifax you are going abroad and how long for, and they will authorise it. Bit embarassing when you don't find out till you come back and query it