Getting Euro's for a short break?

Wee-Bee

I am going to Germany later in November for 5 days on a package hotel deal and need to get Euro's for my trip. I was thinking we would just withdraw euros on our credit card on maybe 2 occasions to maximise the amount we get each time without maximising the risk of carrying too much cash. Is there a better way? Could I use my UK debit card in Berlin?

Thank you!

alanrowell

Why would you even consider using a CC to get cash - you get charged interest from the date of withdrawal, they are normally at a higher rate than any other spending on that card and if you don't pay off the full amount each month they are the last spending to be cleared from your account - which means you pay even more interest

Use a debit card but read the articles on the subject and look in the http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=193

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money

Wee-Bee

I would consider it because a lot of countries don't take debit card and it's safer than cash and less faff than travellers cheques. Thanks for those links though! I now realise it's not needed for Europe which is great cos I hate paying money for money!!

benjus

Withdrawing cash on a credit card is expensive because of the cash advance charge - unless you have one of the few cards that don't charge this, e.g. Halifax Clarity and Santander Zero. If you have one of these you won't be charged anything for the cash withdrawal, although you will have to pay interest from the date of the withdrawal. You can almost certainly use your debit card if you wish, but check what they will charge you. The only debit card that's totally free (AFAIK) is the Metro Bank card.

I was in Berlin recently and it was quite noticeable that people still use cash a lot more than in the UK - in fact I don't think I paid for anything by card while I was there.

skintbuthappy81

Get a Fair FX card much better than carrying around cash. Pre load it as and when you want via internet and use anywhere with the Mastercard logo or cash machines.
http://www.fairfx.com/

lfc321

Wee-Bee wrote: »

I would consider it because a lot of countries don't take debit card and it's safer than cash and less faff than travellers cheques.

What kind of debit card do you have? Can't remember the last time I went to a country and couldn't use my debit card.

Will be much, much cheaper than withdrawing from a CC.

barginunter

Just use an ATM to draw cash with your debit card.