'How do you spend abroad?' poll discussion

thecolonel

I haven't seen these mentioned in a while when it is absolutely the best way to spend in the US (I don't have a Euro account but would if I went more often). There is no charge for the account and most of the time no ATM fees. The exchange rate when transferring from your UK bank account to your citibank $ account is always way better than the tourist rate. I just can't see any downside at all other than having a few pounds ($s) tied up in the account between trips. I usually use that up at Amazon.com anyway! Highly recommended.

Tarry

The clever thing about Nationwide cards is when you get home from your travels and you have withdrawn money from a ATM abroad is that it tells you the exchange rate you got, clever (or perhaps I'm just easily amused)

silvergirl

This will not help many I know, but I travel for about five months a year in the Eurozone and have a bank account in France. I have to pay charges, but these are dwarfed by the amount I would have to pay in commission on all my purchases and services if I used a UK card, whether standard or prepaid. If a price is quoted in euros much quicker and easier to pay in euros, especially in small shops and out of the way places. Some of the cheap flight sites are marginally cheaper when paid in euros. But if I couldn't afford to live like this then I'd do something else, because it would wreck any pleasure with worry and bean counting. Happily it works for me and I'm fortunate in not having to count too many pennies/centimes. Otherwise I get cash when it's at a good rate or send it over in 5k tranches.

marionquine

I take local currency with me but I got a Post Office credit card to use abroad as well. However, I carry my bank credit card as back-up. My bank card was stopped 2 years ago when it was compromised. I was lucky as the bank spotted the transactions ( over £1k) which were suspicious. The point is, I was without a credit card for the best part of a week which would be a big problem when on holiday.

harryhound

If you are travelling between several countries even phoning to say you are going away can be a problem.
The banks are getting very "twitchy" about foreign transactions especially anything to do with cash and credit cards as are third world banks.
Take about 3 credit and debit cards if possible or risk being declined by the only ATM in the town on a Saturday night.
Fraud is now the world's largest crime and difficult to prosecute.
Much safer & more profitable than smuggling drugs.

Granny99

I ticked box a) in this poll but it was not really quite the correct answer. I have an excellent way of getting my holiday cash. I purchase on line or by telephone all my foreign currency with my M & S credit card from M & S Money. Even though I am receiving cash it goes on my card as a normal purchase, I get points and I don't have to pay until the next month when I always pay of my full balance. This means I can get my money, go on holiday and don't have to pay for it till I get home.

Happyisseb

MSE_Martin wrote: »

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

Thanks for your response Martin...

I Follow them so very closely and holding steady - The BIG problem is that your table is for NOW!! for TOURISTS !!! which doesn't help when the Euro rate dives as it has done in the last year.

Absolute Certainty is better than instability for the future. When Tourists were buying at 1 to 1 or LESS you could still buy at 1.10 to the pound in the future although not good it was better.

Lots of guys on their pensions here are happy to know they got what they need in 3 months time than a delivery TODAY which is usually a better rate.

Sorry to say I differ TODAY's rate is not always the best.
Everyone knows when they are travellling in the future and in my view it's better to budget in advance. For Tourists & Pensioners (Ex-Pats).

PS: I do not work and have no association with Travel Money Services but I find them the BEST on the NET

DuggyMak

In the past I have bought Canadian $ travellers cheques from my bank along with a small amount of currency for my 6-8 week trips to BC and Alberta. I always have a few credit cards from different banks for emergencies and, of course, car hire deposit (I pre-pay the car hire in the UK as it is much cheaper).

However, for my next 6-week visit, in August, I have just received a Saga credit card (Martin recommended) which I plan to use for the majority of my purchases although I will still take a few travellers cheques & a little currency just in case.

My reason for changing is the volatility in the exchange rate and I hope that, during my holiday, it improves. Currently approx £1 = $1.50 compared to $1.90, 2 years ago, and I thought then that was poor compared to $2.25 on the previous visit!

attar_uk

I'm not sure of the point of this poll or whether it will ever give a true representation of spending abroad...

I will take some changed cash with me when I leave so I have money when I arrive, will use a cashpoint there to get more hard cash out AND make purchases on my credit & debit card if I see something I want.

Offering one choice in the poll seems pointless!

avqs43

Similar to others already mentioned. Normally travel to Canary Islands. Nationwide Debit card, withdraw cash on arrival and "as and when" from Flex account and use Nationwide credit card for many of my other purchases, (paying off each month).