Travelex Globe Card

dzug1

Voyager2002 wrote: »

OK, I shall be using it in West Africa, where they use the CFA franc (XOF). Since you can't get a card in this currency, I would need to take one in a major currency but of course ATMs would issue CFA francs.

In order to enquire about possible charges, I followed the link on this thread to the Globe Passport website and used the telephone number given there. When I eventually managed to speak to a human being, I was told about the five per cent fee. There was no mention of any different cash card.

So a call centre operative gives duff gen Surprise surprise. The 5% is if you use a dollar, euro, etc card in the 'wrong' country.

stilltheone

dzug1 wrote: »

So a call centre operative gives duff gen Surprise surprise. The 5% is if you use a dollar, euro, etc card in the 'wrong' country.

Actually close, but not quite. The 5.75% charge is is for using normal Cash Passport cards outside their currency. This includes the Sterling card(ridiculous).
The Cash Passport Globe is not included in this policy.

FAQ

brains

stilltheone wrote: »

No charges from a debit card. You are not buying foreign currency.

Are you sure? When you chose to pay by visa debit, the travelex website warns that there may be a charge from the card issuer and cites Lloyds as an example.

The barclays connect debit card states that if you "obtain sterling anywhere other than an atm machine or post office" you could be subject to a charge. They could charge you under this section even though you are not obtaining any foreign currency, you are technically obtaining sterling. I have a feeling that Barclays will hit me with a charge if I use my debit card. Can anyone confirm that they have used a Barclays debit card and not paid any visa handling fees? Thanks.

stilltheone

brains wrote: »

Are you sure? When you chose to pay by visa debit, the travelex website warns that there may be a charge from the card issuer and cites Lloyds as an example.

The barclays connect debit card states that if you "obtain sterling anywhere other than an atm machine or post office" you could be subject to a charge. They could charge you under this section even though you are not obtaining any foreign currency, you are technically obtaining sterling. I have a feeling that Barclays will hit me with a charge if I use my debit card. Can anyone confirm that they have used a Barclays debit card and not paid any visa handling fees? Thanks.

Perhaps time to change banks. I would be most irritated to read such a clause. Charging you to spend your own money. I would be fuming.

brains

stilltheone wrote: »

Perhaps time to change banks. I would be most irritated to read such a clause. Charging you to spend your own money. I would be fuming.

I'm with you, I would rather open a new account than pay Barclays a handling fee because I am not buying currency from them. Would prefer to have it clarified first though because it could be a lot of effort for nothing!

Voyager2002

benjus wrote: »

The Globe card should be ideal for this... as it's denominated in GBP you won't be paying for two currency conversions, and you should get the Mastercard exchange rate with a 1.49% charge the only charge applied.

I'm not sure what the Mastercard rate is, as they do not publish a rate for this currency, but it's unlikely to be far from the spot rate.

This information is helpful. One other unfortunate detail is that Mastercard has not arrived in West Africa, so I would need a visa card. A bit of digging on the internet made it clear that this card is offered as a visa card, and I think that I told the call centre operative that I would need a visa card.

Is it the case that the charge-free version of this card is only available as a Mastercard?

stilltheone

Voyager2002 wrote: »

This information is helpful. One other unfortunate detail is that Mastercard has not arrived in West Africa, so I would need a visa card. A bit of digging on the internet made it clear that this card is offered as a visa card, and I think that I told the call centre operative that I would need a visa card.

Is it the case that the charge-free version of this card is only available as a Mastercard?

Your best option in this case is O2 Load & Go 2.75% forex commission, but no loading or ATM withdrawal or spending charges. The other option is Caxton Global. Same 2.75% commission, but more limited top up options.

purplemusky

Can someone please help read so much information don't know what the best option. Looking for the cheapest cash option on holiday in the Canary Islands in a couple weeks. Usually take a few hundred euros with us to get us going and in the past have used the Nationwide Flexcard but obviously that is now expensive. I have a nationwide cc with is great for spending but I am wanting a card for cheap cash withdrawals whilst there. I have looked at the Travelex Globe and Halixfax Clarity but not sure if I should just go with a post office travel card or a thomas cook one. Please can someone enlighten me. Cannot find anything relevant from Martin only explains about the cheapest cc and buying currency. Thanks.

stilltheone

purplemusky wrote: »

Can someone please help read so much information don't know what the best option. Looking for the cheapest cash option on holiday in the Canary Islands in a couple weeks. Usually take a few hundred euros with us to get us going and in the past have used the Nationwide Flexcard but obviously that is now expensive. I have a nationwide cc with is great for spending but I am wanting a card for cheap cash withdrawals whilst there. I have looked at the Travelex Globe and Halifax Clarity but not sure if I should just go with a post office travel card or a thomas cook one. Please can someone enlighten me. Cannot find anything relevant from Martin only explains about the cheapest cc and buying currency. Thanks.

If you go for TCPG, order via Top Cashback or Quidco if you have an account.

barafear799

I cannot find the link or page for ordering thru quidco or topcashback?? Please assist.