Money:- Cards & Cash what should I take?

Mercury083

Hey

I'm headed for Japan for 3 weeks in october and have no clue how much to take as cash or what credit cards/debit cards I should take. I currently have no Credit Cards (never had one) at all and only a Halifax Debit card. Not sure what would work best out there. Any and all help I could get would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Dave

Mercury083

Take it that's a no then?

Dave

gnats_chuff

Dave, don't take it personally!

In my experience, taking a credit card abroad is a must - use it for booking hotels and car hire because they like to take a hefty deposit. Also V useful when all else fails. However, given the costs you might incur if you use one (interest if you don't pay it off, the eye-watering fees they charge for taking cash from an ATM etc.) then you have a few other options: get cash on the high street, get cash at the airport, use your Halifax card when over there or get a prepaid card. There are plenty of options: Post Office, Travelex, Fairfx and Caxtonfx - even one amusingly called Hiten(run). Personally I use a Caxton card because they give a good exchange rate and do not charge any ATM fees but you will get other opinions on the forum. Also, they offer a card for using worldwide which would suit you rather than a US dollar or euro card. Whichever one you chose, you should get better value than exchanging cash or using your halifx card. Whatever you do, have a great trip - is this a holiday? I'v not been to Japan yet but looking forward to it at some point.

kazza75

I am off to canada in a few weeks, i got some dollars to start me off but was wondering wether to get one of these prepaid cards i was looking at the caxtonfx global traveller card as i am also off to spain next year will this be of any good to take for both countries? Also one i thing i noticed in the fees section was this

(FX Mark Up – 2.5% of transaction amount, where transaction is performed in a different currency to the card)

if i get the global card then i guess i will be loading the money in sterling then debiting the money in canadian dollars and euros when i am in spain so does that mean that 2.5 per cent will be added to my transaction then?

dzug1

kazza75 wrote: »

I am off to canada in a few weeks, i got some dollars to start me off but was wondering wether to get one of these prepaid cards i was looking at the caxtonfx global traveller card as i am also off to spain next year will this be of any good to take for both countries? Also one i thing i noticed in the fees section was this

(FX Mark Up – 2.5% of transaction amount, where transaction is performed in a different currency to the card)

if i get the global card then i guess i will be loading the money in sterling then debiting the money in canadian dollars and euros when i am in spain so does that mean that 2.5 per cent will be added to my transaction then?

Yes it does.

But it's not bad as charges go - you will almost certainly have paid more for the $$ you already have

kazza75

Cheers for the reply, will maybe consider getting;)

dickydonkin

In my experience, taking a credit card abroad is a must - use it for booking hotels and car hire because they like to take a hefty deposit. Also V useful when all else fails.

Gnats Chuff is absolutely right.

Even if you have no intentions of using your card, it can be extremely useful for any unforseen event ie medical emergency, emergency flight home etc. Obviously, one would hope that you would never have to use a card in such circumstances, but better be safe and all that.

One thing I would also advise is to check with your CC provider prior to your departure to ensure that your credit limit will not be reduced or indeed your card account closed.

I was recently in the Far East and Nationwide CC decided in their wisdom (without any justification I might add) to reduce my credit limit WITHOUT NOTIFICATION, despite their terms and conditions stating that should this situation arise, notification would be forthcoming.

ALSO, remember that if you have a relatively low credit limit and you hand your CC to the hotel for a deposit, this could potentially lower your credit limit by the deposit amount and reduce your spending limit on that card as that amount is 'blocked'.

But yes, definately take your card.

sorrento12

Hi similar problem but different country. I am travelling to Cambodia for a month on a volunteer break. I have been told there are ATMs but Co-Op and LloydsTSb accounts that i have all charge for ATM withdrawals. Has anyone any suggestions please? I know USD can be used but don't want to travel with lots of cash.

dzug1

sorrento12 wrote: »

Hi similar problem but different country. I am travelling to Cambodia for a month on a volunteer break. I have been told there are ATMs but Co-Op and LloydsTSb accounts that i have all charge for ATM withdrawals. Has anyone any suggestions please? I know USD can be used but don't want to travel with lots of cash.

Unless you want to change your bank - use your ATM cards - the Coop has slightly lower charges.

Or get a prepaid card.

Mark_Hewitt

As said having a credit card with you is extremely useful, as well as a debit / cashpoint card.

My parents went to Spain a few years ago and they had to arrange to get a credit card before they went out there. Quite simply because the hire car company needed a credit card, a debit card was simply not good enough.

kazza75

I just spoke to caxtonfx on the phone there, they advised getting the global traveller card as going to two different countries, i asked about the 2.5% fx mark up they guy says they dont charge for transactions and atm, but take 2.5% off the currency rate ie: if canadian dollar was 1.80 on the day i used the card then they would take the 2.5% off it leaving the rate to be around 1.76 , so i am not sure what to do now,:rolleyes: maybe i am wrong but thats how he explained it to me.