Surprised at Debit card abroad rate

khblue

I just found that pre-ordered Travelex Dollar Traveller's Cheques or Dollars cash collected at the airport works out at exactly the same as spending on a Barclay debit card in US shops, using the rate looked up on the Visa site, using Barclay's 2.99% figure quoted on their website.

I guess that means that both load at 3%.

I'm surprised, I thought that Barclay debit would be more expensive.

Have I missed something ?

dzug1

khblue wrote: »

I just found that pre-ordered Travelex Dollar Traveller's Cheques or Dollars cash collected at the airport works out at exactly the same as spending on a Barclay debit card in US shops, using the rate looked up on the Visa site, using Barclay's 2.99% figure quoted on their website.

I guess that means that both load at 3%.

I'm surprised, I thought that Barclay debit would be more expensive.

Have I missed something ?

It's not actually surprising - it's just that the charges for using cards are very specific and itemised and people throw up their hands in horror and say 'I'll take cash instead', blissfully unaware that the (usually hidden) charges for that will be even more in most High Street BdeC.

Don't forget that Barclays will charge you extra for taking cash out of an ATM (unless it's in their Global Alliance)

ailuro2

Barclays debit card will have been made at "business rate" and then 3% or so added on as their foreign transaction fee...

The money charged for currency tends to be at tourist rate, but it sounds like you goto a pretty good deal on this...
have you read MArtin's guides, along the top bar above here, click on the travel section and you'll get a guide to how it all works and how to get a card that won't charge you 3% abroad.;)