Card to use for backpacking

Jane_Stollery

Also, what does
"The exchange rate applied is fixed at 2.5% from the prevailing interbank rate. " mean on the caxton global traveller card?

Both this and the halifax clarity cc are Mastercard? Would it be more advisable to have one Mastercard, one Visa? Or if my other debits are Visa is this ok?

fifeken

CLAPTON wrote: »

Nationwide used to be a favoured debit card as there was no foreign loading on the card but unfortunately that changes in November so that it costs 2% for any foreign tranaction (including to withdraw cash)

2% plus £1.00 for an ATM withdrawal.

burntpockets wrote: »

Hi - have you heard of prepaid currency cards? Caxton FX are currently doing an offer where you get 2 free cards for travelling - you load them with money - and there's NO chanrge when you use them in an ATM.

Jane_Stollery wrote: »

Also, what does
"The exchange rate applied is fixed at 2.5% from the prevailing interbank rate. " mean on the caxton global traveller card?

The 2.5% is the price you are paying Caxton for the service. It's just their equivalent of the bank charges or loading only they do it slightly differently.

Jane_Stollery

OK so I have seen many a debate about the FairFX & Caxton pre-paid cards, which one would actually be better for travelling: South America, New Zealand, Australia and SE Asia?

These countries do not use Euro or Dollars, so I am assuming I will have to get a sterling one. Will also be using it mainly for cash withdrawals and paying via CC on my Halifax Clarity, so is one better if you're mosty using it for ATM's??

System

With Nationwide's demise this is not as easy as before...

South America - Citbank has a limited branch network there. You can use Cibank branches/ ATMs without charge if you have a UK citibank account.

NZ/Fiji/Australia - All have Westpac ATMs which have a reduced rate deal with Barclays - a 2.99% commission is not too bad for a backup for Clarity / Prepaid cards.

If your in London or will be at somepoint before you go, you could try Metrobank.

gnats_chuff

Very happy with my Caxton FX card - used it a lot this summer in Europe - never any problem to use, easy to top up and great customer service when I call them, even at weekends. Given up on my Fair Fx card because of poor customer service and, frankly, you get what you pay for.