Best CC for overseas spending?

evosy1978

Hello all.

Basically I have an egg.money CC which I think I can pre-load. I have an Amex card (the 5% cashback one) and a tesco mastercard which I can definately pre-load.

I will be wanting to withdraw money out of ATMs in Spain and mayby pay for meals etc. (but push comes to shove ill just want it to withdraw money from ATMs)

(or should i just get a Fairfx anywhere)

Any body have experience of these CC and there withdraw charges?

thanks

dzug1

Why not a FairFx euro card?

The exchange rates on the cards you have are not brilliant - particularly the Tesco one which is diabolical - regardless of whether or not you pay any interest.

firsttimestudent

Use the AMEX card for PURCHASES (as your 5% cashback will far offset the fee).

Do not use the Tesco Mastercard as Tesco uses their own proprietary foreign exchange rates, which I understand from this forum is often far worse than Mastercard's own rate - and then they further add a 2.75% loading fee - a double whammy.

For cash withdrawals, neither of your cards are particularly good. A few suggestions:

1. Get a Metro Bank Current Account.
2. If you're only going to Spain, and interested in opening a new Santander account, open theirs as they offer fee & load-free withdrawal in Santander branded cash-machines in Spain.
3. If you're going after 1 Jan 2011 open a Norwich & Peterborough Current account.

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

Best wishes!

Quote from Santander's website (though their customer service are not to be commended)
What charges apply if I use a Santander Cash Machine in Spain?
All main adult current accounts (those which are credited with at least £1,000 per month) could benefit from free cash machine withdrawals in Spain. Simply use your Santander Debit Card in a Santander branded cash machine in Spain to receive the withdrawal fee free. This means: No Cash Handling Fee AND No Foreign Exchange Fee will be charged.