Best pre paid card ?

A.Jones

stephb34 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply, as i say don't know anything about the others, but the Tcook one there isn't a reload fee on the US$ card or the other 5 cards, only the sterling card carries a loading fee of 3%.

Do they allow you to reload it online (ie. when you are abroad), or do you have to go to their store to load it?

stilltheone

A.Jones wrote: »

If you are tempted by the Thomas Cook one, get the same thing direct from Travelex. Order it online and pick up at the airport. Their price guarantee ("online promise") extends to these prepaid cards (at least, it did last October). Look up the best cash rate on MSE, and claim the difference back from them.

Again, don't even think about it. The only worthy candidate in that family is linked to in my post #6.

Always peruse the T&Cs.

stilltheone

stephb34 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply, as i say don't know anything about the others, but the Tcook one there isn't a reload fee on the US$ card or the other 5 cards, only the sterling card carries a loading fee of 3%.

At least you now know that the TC card offers very poor value compared to other easily available Prepaid cards.

My advice? AVOID.

stephb34

A.Jones wrote: »

Do they allow you to reload it online (ie. when you are abroad), or do you have to go to their store to load it?

Yes you can reload it online whilst your abroad.

joanneb_2

Im looking at the same options and called into TC today, they offered me 1.59 for a rate of exchange which is only just under the fairfx rate, they charge for withdrawals but you can withdraw upto $800 a day for $2.50 fee. They also give you an additional card so if one is lost or stolen then when you call them they transfer the balance onto the other card so u can use it straight away. You can also log in online and top up the card either at home or when you are a broad and there are no relaod fees or commision. There is no fees when you use the card in shops either, each to their own opinion but it sounds ok to me.

stilltheone

joanneb wrote: »

Im looking at the same options and called into TC today, they offered me 1.59 for a rate of exchange which is only just under the fairfx rate, they charge for withdrawals but you can withdraw upto $800 a day for $2.50 fee. They also give you an additional card so if one is lost or stolen then when you call them they transfer the balance onto the other card so u can use it straight away. You can also log in online and top up the card either at home or when you are a broad and there are no relaod fees or commision. There is no fees when you use the card in shops either, each to their own opinion but it sounds ok to me.

Firstly, you failed to mention quite how much you were exchanging in order to get the US$1.59 rate.
Secondly, if they charge for ATM withdrawals, why bother with them at all?
Are you suggesting that it is a good idea to draw out the maximum of US$800 each time??
Wouldn't a Caxton US$ card be better?
Thirdly, you have neglecting to mention the hefty 5.75% forex charge levied if you try to spend any left over cash in the UK.

It's an option, but why bother unless you've left everything until the last minute?

Even in that case I would organise a Travelex Cash Passport Globe card.