Travelex cash passport

cazpanda

Hi, we are off to Majorca next week & while in my local Sainsburys they were promoting a Travelex cash passport to take out in store. Now I usually just take a few Euros & use our debit card abroad in ATM's so I asked her if I would be saving money with this. She assured me I would & asked me if I had heard of Martin Lewis as he is promoting them at the moment? Now although the card seems a good idea I dont want one if she was making this bit up to get me to sign up! Anyone know if Martin does specifically promote this card? Thanks.


Caz.

Baldur

cazpanda wrote: »

Anyone know if Martin does specifically promote this card?

It's certainly one of those shown (3rd, after FairFX & Caxton) in the section entitled "Prepaid cards for added security" in this article - http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money

cazpanda

I had seen it on there which was why I wondered why she said he was promoting it if it was only 3rd so I wondered if something had changed since then?

Caz.

Baldur

cazpanda wrote: »

I had seen it on there which was why I wondered why she said he was promoting it if it was only 3rd so I wondered if something had changed since then?

It wouldn't do his image of journalistic impartiality much good to 'promote' a specific product - presumably her need to sell the product led to her to turn the card being mentioned on the site into the card being 'promoted'.

dzug1

He doesn't promote anything - he just lists them. She said he was 'promoting' it as sales spiel, not to be taken literally. Strictly speaking it's misrepresentation bordering on fraud - but probably out of ignorance rather than deliberate deception

The Travelex Global cash passport is reasonable though. Other Travelex products vary

cazpanda

Thanks, I didnt think he would specifically promote it but wanted to check. Annoys me when people do that, puts me off more than makes me want to buy! Maybe I'll go for the one top of the list now then.

Doshwaster

cazpanda wrote: »

Thanks, I didnt think he would specifically promote it but wanted to check. Annoys me when people do that, puts me off more than makes me want to buy! Maybe I'll go for the one top of the list now then.

All pre-paid cards are different charges so the best one for you depends on who much and how you are going to use it. Some charge for cash withdrawals and some don't. I have the Caxton Euro and Dollar cards. The exchange rate may not quite be as good as the FairFX one but if offers free cash withdrawals which is handy if you just want to take out some extra "beer vouchers".

purplepardalis

I don't think he's quite as impartial as you think he is. There is a certain amount of promotion going on..... In exchange for?

cazpanda

Thanks for all the advice. I have been looking all the different cards & have read that although some offer free ATM withdrawals the actual ATM may charge its own fee. Can anyone tell me if I were to use my debit card instead in those ATMs would I pay the usual withdrawal fee plus a fee for using that specific ATM? I am still trying to work out how financially better off I would be if I got a pre paid card & if it's really worth it against my debit card.

Baldur

cazpanda wrote: »

Can anyone tell me if I were to use my debit card instead in those ATMs would I pay the usual withdrawal fee plus a fee for using that specific ATM?

If the specific ATM operator charges a fee, yes - your card issuer is still going to want its cut via its foreign exchange load and cash withdrawal fee (where applicable).

stilltheone

Actually the Moneysaving expert article on PrePaid cards is just poorly written.

In fact, the best value PrePaid Mastercard is the *Travelex Cash Passport Globe. As to why the article does not mention this, I have no idea. Sloppy research methinks.

For instance the article claims a 2% Top Up charge on the Sterling card. That is simply not true. In addition, the fees are lesser than all of the other cards. Plus you can order one for pickup at the airport with four hours notice.

The is really no excuse for such a poorly written article, as this card has been mentioned on the board a multitude of times.

* Not to be confused with the relatively poor efforts available from retail and travel outlets. Leave those alone. The aforementioned card is IMO the only one worth a jot. Use only the link above.


Click on this link for the T&Cs and fees for the Travelex Cash Passport Globe