Travelex Globe Card

stilltheone

phildo wrote: »

Why? Blah blah blah...

I would not consider using a Prepaid card for my travels, as I have much better options.
No need for me to count the pennies.

But this is a money saving website, so I help people to save money.

Your illustration is simply idiosyncratic and simply does not cover any eventuality other than your specific scenario.

I didn't use too low a figure for my illustration. I used the up to date figure on the FairFx website and the up to date figure on the MCC. The difference is 2%, not 1.6% to 1.7%.
What are you talking?? You argument is becoming more and more ridiculous.
If you want to use some 'promotional rate' for your figures, I hope that you don't mind if I factor Quidco cashback in to my figures. :rotfl:

That will push the difference up another 0.5%.

You are right, it is a discussion forum. So I'm discussing it.

Let's go back to your original post:

My issues with Travelex globe are:
1. it's messy in terms of leaving small balances
2. the 1.49% conversion off mastercard rate is only a tiny bit better than fairfx's own rate anyway!
3. i have a bank account with Visa debit so i get charged for currency purchases, fairfx process top ups as a UK purchases so no charges

First point is just nonsense for most people.
Second point is just wrong, even in your specific use card only for ATM withdrawal scenario'. 0.5% on the rate and another 0.5% for the ATM withdrawal in your scenario. Anyone who prefers smaller withdrawals will be hit harder.
Third point is just wrong.


As I wrote before, it's fine if you feel that it works for you. But if you post misinformation, don't be upset if it is challenged.
It's a discussion board after all.

If your information is correct, it will stand up to scrutiny.

Sophie4120

Travelex Cash Passport Globe

Just order for pickup at a Travelex location, in order to avoid a delivery charge.

Thanks for the response - but I am asking if there are better/cheaper options for my situation. I will be departing from Manchester Airport, where there is no Travelex.

I am not necessarily looking for prepaid options - I just want the cheapest option/best conversion to use around £100 in cash. I think the globe card fits the bill, but I am not sure, hence the asking of questions
Credit cards such as the Halifax clarity are not really an option for me.

Thanks!

benjus

Sophie4120 wrote: »

Thanks for the response - but I am asking if there are better/cheaper options for my situation. I will be departing from Manchester Airport, where there is no Travelex.

I am not necessarily looking for prepaid options - I just want the cheapest option/best conversion to use around £100 in cash. I think the globe card fits the bill, but I am not sure, hence the asking of questions
Credit cards such as the Halifax clarity are not really an option for me.

Thanks!

If you've got a week until you go, could you get to a local TravelEx branch? Alternatively, if you put at least £100 on it you can have it delivered to your house - it will probably arrive in time.

Seeing as the only charge is 1.49%, this compares very favourably with all other ways of getting currency. Judging by a quick look at the exchange rates offered by Bureaux de Change, exchanging cash is not a good way to get Rubles - you will end up paying a lot more than 1.49%.

I think the only way to get cheaper than this is to get a new current account or a credit card, which you've already said is not an option.

Sophie4120

benjus wrote: »

If you've got a week until you go, could you get to a local TravelEx branch? Alternatively, if you put at least £100 on it you can have it delivered to your house - it will probably arrive in time.

Seeing as the only charge is 1.49%, this compares very favourably with all other ways of getting currency. Judging by a quick look at the exchange rates offered by Bureaux de Change, exchanging cash is not a good way to get Rubles - you will end up paying a lot more than 1.49%.

I think the only way to get cheaper than this is to get a new current account or a credit card, which you've already said is not an option.

Thanks for the explanation - if the only cheaper options are to faff about getting new accounts, then I think the Globe card is the way for me to go I think I may be able to find a way to a branch - thanks again for the clarification!

Sophie4120

Wow - ok, sorry to sound really stupid - it's giving me a list of all the currencies to load it with - I just choose GBP right?

And secondly - it says I may get charged a cash advance fee for paying with my Natwest Visa Debit - I have searched the site and it seems quite a few people have been levied this charge! Anyone know of ways to avoid it? I have both HSBC and Natwest Visa Debits, they switched from Maestro a while back...

Thanks again! Sorry to hijack

benjus

Sophie4120 wrote: »

Wow - ok, sorry to sound really stupid - it's giving me a list of all the currencies to load it with - I just choose GBP right?

And secondly - it says I may get charged a cash advance fee for paying with my Natwest Visa Debit - I have searched the site and it seems quite a few people have been levied this charge! Anyone know of ways to avoid it? I have both HSBC and Natwest Visa Debits, they switched from Maestro a while back...

Thanks again! Sorry to hijack

Hmmm... did you go via the right link? I don't remember being asked which currency (and yes, it is GBP). The correct link is: http://www.travelex.co.uk/uk/wallet/options.aspx?from=h&ProductTypeCode=MCD&CurrencyCode=GBP&c=100

As for the NatWest debit card, I'm not 100% sure. The NatWest website says "Purchase of foreign currency or traveller's cheques using a Visa Debit card in any other bank, travel agent, bureau de change or other outlets displaying the Visa logo" - since you are not buying any foreign currency (until you actually use the TravelEx card), I can't see how this could apply.

If you don't find any definitive answer, I'd get the lowest load you can and top it up when you get the card.

Sophie4120

benjus wrote: »

Hmmm... did you go via the right link? I don't remember being asked which currency (and yes, it is GBP). The correct link is: http://www.travelex.co.uk/uk/wallet/options.aspx?from=h&ProductTypeCode=MCD&CurrencyCode=GBP&c=100

As for the NatWest debit card, I'm not 100% sure. The NatWest website says "Purchase of foreign currency or traveller's cheques using a Visa Debit card in any other bank, travel agent, bureau de change or other outlets displaying the Visa logo" - since you are not buying any foreign currency (until you actually use the TravelEx card), I can't see how this could apply.

If you don't find any definitive answer, I'd get the lowest load you can and top it up when you get the card.

When I first added the card, the default amount was £1000 - so I clicked on the value to change it to £100, and there was drop down menu with all the currencies! So, GBP, makes the most sense but didn't want to make a mistake!

I have been doing a bit more reading, and I think that I might just be being a bit paranoid - it looks like people get charged when buying the actual foreign currency So I guess they must just have it there as a 'standard' warning, as I guess most people will be purchasing foreign currency!

Thanks again for putting my mind at rest - at least I now have the appropriate ammo should they actually try and charge me!

phildo_2

stilltheone wrote: »

I would not consider using a Prepaid card for my travels, as I have much better options.
No need for me to count the pennies.

Halifax clarity for me. I used fairfx before i got that though.

I didn't use too low a figure for my illustration. I used the up to date figure on the FairFx website and the up to date figure on the MCC. The difference is 2%, not 1.6% to 1.7%.

Fairfx are running a promo if you order >£200 but they have effectively lowered the basic rate. There normal rates (no promo running) are about 1.6-1.7% worse than MC rate, I used this as it is the usual on cost.

If you want to use some 'promotional rate' for your figures, I hope that you don't mind if I factor Quidco cashback in to my figures. :rotfl:

That will push the difference up another 0.5%.

No that's fine and correct, I didn't know about it though until someone told us in this thread.

You are right, it is a discussion forum. So I'm discussing it.

Good

First point is just nonsense for most people.

but for some it isn't.

Second point is just wrong, even in your specific use card only for ATM withdrawal scenario'. 0.5% on the rate and another 0.5% for the ATM withdrawal in your scenario. Anyone who prefers smaller withdrawals will be hit harder.

Boils down to whether you think 1% (using your figs)/0.7% using my figs is 'a tiny bit better', I would say 0.7% isn't a big difference.

Third point is just wrong.

Natwest told me that purchase of travelex globe card will be charged a fee. I have just rung again and been told no. So I accept I was wrong on this. I am sorry.

As I wrote before, it's fine if you feel that it works for you. But if you post misinformation, don't be upset if it is challenged.
It's a discussion board after all.

I'm OK with discussing and being challenged but most of what I was posting was simply that fairfx is probably the best pp card if you want to take your spending money in local currency. In my eyes that's correct. You "could" save more by taking TCPG but some people do really like to take a known amount of €'s. I was trying to show them the best option.

can we stop now anyway as i'm pee'd off typing the word QUOTE :beer:

stilltheone

phildo wrote: »

can we stop now anyway as i'm pee'd off typing the word QUOTE :beer:

No problem. :beer:

luckwudaveit

Sophie4120 wrote: »

I have both HSBC and Natwest Visa Debits, they switched from Maestro a while back...

I used First Direct Visa without charge, so I presume HSBC will be along the same lines.