'How do you spend abroad?' poll discussion

Former_MSE_Lawrence

Poll between 22-29 June 2010:

How do you spend abroad?

When you go on holiday, which makes up the bulk of the way you spend?

A. Change cash at bureau de change before leaving - 46% (3946 votes)
B. Change cash at bureau when I arrive - 6% (496 votes)
C. Withdraw cash on my card there - 15% (1280 votes)
D. Spend on my debit/credit card - 12% (1048 votes)
E. Use one of the specialist cheap overseas cards - 10% (875 votes)
F. I don’t go abroad - 7% (572 votes)
G. Spend on a pre paid card - 3% (289 votes)

Total Votes: 8506

Please click 'post reply' to discuss below. Thanks

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meher

we use amex mostly or sometimes nationwide; I distinctly remember reading that nationwide charged nothing when you use it abroad, have they started charging for use of it outside europe then

thanks for the link; fairfx looks good, never used a pre-paid card

King_Weasel

I used to use a Nationwide credit card, but next time I'll use Abbey/Santander Zero, for purchases.

For cash withdrawals I top up my Nationwide bank account opened specifically for the purpose, then use its debit card abroad.

Happyisseb

I watch & buy my currency in advance from Travel Money Services (https://www.travelmoneyservices.com), all commission and delivery FREE. I buy in approx £1,000 bundles as I know I'm going to use it in the future.

Living mostly in Spain now and my income & bank accounts all in sterling in the UK, I am currently spending & working on a forward average gamble of 1.20 euros to the pound. Todays rate for buying in August is 1.2069 so much better than any bureaux here or home.

If it ever goes near to €1.50 euros to the pound again, I'm moving the lot.

:beer:

Tarry

I tend to get the majority of my money out before I go away, but with my card I don't get charged so I get money out abroad when I need it.

soco1

Poll options aren't clear.
I chose 'C Withdraw cash on my card there' but now I'm not sure if that refers to using credit card - never in a million years would I do that! Or Debit card which I do and I use the Nationwide card. There needs to be 2 choices for withdraws from ATM. I also use specialist cards abroad for purchases as I use the Nationwide Gold card in Europe and the Post Office card further afield.

before_hollywood

i take euros in cash as i dont think there is an atm in the resort i go to.

i dont remember seeing one last time

minerva_windsong

I normally change cash at the Post Office before travelling, but also carry a Nationwide debit card with some extra money on it as a back-up.

ganef

On the last edition of Watchdog, Martin seemed to criticise both Lloyds TSB credit cards and debit cards. I live in Israel but all my money is in the UK at Lloyds. Once upon a time a local moneychanger cashed my cheques but he is out of business. If I give a peronal cheque to my Israeli bank, they charge about 35 pounds and it takes time. So I use an ATM.

If I use the Lloyds credit card, the daily maximum is about 300 pounds and they charge 2.8% plus a cash charge of one pound. So I use my debit card with a daily restriction of 150 pounds with a 1.4% charge and no cash charge. I cannot ask Martin, or his team, directly, if there is a better way to get my money from England to here. Can anyone else help, please?

MSE_Martin

Happyisseb wrote: »

I watch & buy my currency in advance from Travel Money Services (www.travelmoneyservices.com), all commission and delivery FREE. I buy in approx £1,000 bundles as I know I'm going to use it in the future.

Living mostly in Spain now and my income & bank accounts all in sterling in the UK, I am currently spending & working on a forward average gamble of 1.20 euros to the pound. Todays rate for buying in August is 1.2069 so much better than any bureaux here or home.

If it ever goes near to €1.50 euros to the pound again, I'm moving the lot.

:beer:

Good rates but beatable see www.travelmoneymax.com it came in 6th in the comparison i did

MSE_Martin

ganef wrote: »

On the last edition of Watchdog, Martin seemed to criticise both Lloyds TSB credit cards and debit cards. I live in Israel but all my money is in the UK at Lloyds. Once upon a time a local moneychanger cashed my cheques but he is out of business. If I give a peronal cheque to my Israeli bank, they charge about 35 pounds and it takes time. So I use an ATM.

If I use the Lloyds credit card, the daily maximum is about 300 pounds and they charge 2.8% plus a cash charge of one pound. So I use my debit card with a daily restriction of 150 pounds with a 1.4% charge and no cash charge. I cannot ask Martin, or his team, directly, if there is a better way to get my money from England to here. Can anyone else help, please?

My criticism was for Lloyds as a SPENDING card - you're cash withdrawing which its averagely poor not awfully poor.

If you can still open an account in the uk then a Nationwide debit card would be much better see http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money