FairFX or CaxtonFX - Which would be best for me?

Si67

OK - it's looking good!

From those figures though, the FairFX Anywhere card is better than the FairFX Euro card, even for Eurozone ATM transactions.

However, FairFX say about their Euro card:

"The FairFX Euro Card is quite simply the best way to carry funds to the Euro Zone".

I'll need 2 cards anyway; a CaxtonFX Global Traveller card is still the best for sterling transactions; and a FairFX for Eurozone. I was hoping to get them from the same provider but that's looking unlikely now.

stilltheone

Some people like the currency specific cards as it is easier for them to know what they are spending.
How is the Global Traveller best for Sterling? That doesn't make any sense to me at all.
Better to get the FairFx Anywhere and be done with it.
Like so many others, you are blinding yourself with figures.

Si67

For sterling transactions, the CaxtonFX Global Traveller card charges £1.50 per transaction, whereas the FairFX Anywhere card charges 1.5%. Therefore, on amounts above £100 the CaxtonFX Global Traveller card is cheaper.

Baldur

Si67 wrote: »

For sterling transactions, the CaxtonFX Global Traveller card charges £1.50 per transaction, whereas the FairFX Anywhere card charges 1.5%. Therefore, on amounts above £100 the CaxtonFX Global Traveller card is cheaper.

Your reading of the Caxton Global Traveller Card, differs from what they actually say:

No ATM charges when overseas.
No fees, commission, or extra charges on your transactions meaning all costs and charges are included in the exchange rate applied.<snip>

The exchange rate applied is fixed at 2.5% from the prevailing interbank rate.

Si67

I know about their exchange rates and charges for foreign transactions, but in my last post I was talking about sterling transactions.

From the CaxtonFX website (it wouldn't let me post a link):
Domestic (UK) ATM Transaction :
£1.50 per transaction (Global Traveller Card)

I might not have made it clear (sorry!), but I have 2 separate aims.

(1) To buy Ryanair flights in pounds sterling
(2) To find an alternative to my Nationwide debit card for Eurozone ATM withdrawals.

Currently, the CaxtonFX Global Traveller card looks better for (1); whilst FairFX Anywhere card looks better for (2).

Baldur

Si67 wrote: »

Currently, the CaxtonFX Global Traveller card looks better for (1); whilst FairFX Anywhere card looks better for (2).

Yes, solely for UK POS or ATM transactions >£100 in Sterling, the Caxton card should be more economical, the link that you couldn't post is http://www.caxtonfxcard.com/feesncharges.asp?dist=CAXTGENL

Si67

Oh, and to stilltheone's comment:

How can you state that his maths agrees with yours, when he has produced a totally different figure?? Amazing.

I meant that, after having read Baldur's post, I used his figures and got the same answer - that's all.

Si67

Baldur wrote: »

Yes, solely for UK POS or ATM transactions >£100 in Sterling, the Caxton card should be more economical, the link that you couldn't post is...

Exactly!!

Looks like I might get the Caxton Global Traveller and FairFX Anytime cards.

Still a bit puzzled by FairFX's comment...

"The FairFX Euro Card is quite simply the best way to carry funds to the Euro Zone"

...but if the FairFX Anytime card really does use interbank+1.5% for foreign transactions, then the figures speak for themselves.

Thanks for your help!

Baldur

Si67 wrote: »

Exactly!!

Looks like I might get the Caxton Global Traveller and FairFX Anytime cards.

Still a bit puzzled by FairFX's comment...

"The FairFX Euro Card is quite simply the best way to carry funds to the Euro Zone"

...but if the FairFX Anytime card really does use interbank+1.5% for foreign transactions, then the figures speak for themselves.

If you go for the Anywhere card, using the following This is Money link waives the usual £9.95 card charge for initial loads <£500 - http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/currency-card

Si67

Great stuff! Thanks again.

Another question. According to the FAQs:

Once loaded, funds will normally be available for use on the FairFX Currency Card within a few hours.

How long does it usually take in reality? Sometimes, a limited number of cheap Ryanair flights come up, but they can be gone in less than an hour.