Any suggestions/advice for Last minute Travel Money arangements?

Hermann

Son and friends have booked a trip to Ibiza leaving next Thurs 1 Sept.

They have so far made no arrangements for their travel money, so rather than just taking euros in cash are there any suggestions for last minute arrangements.

At 19/20 they have no credit cards, but do have Nat West debit cards (and possibly a nationwide Flex debit card) but they believe they are to expensive to use abroad.

Only other thing I can think of is the post office pre pay euro card, which I think you can collect on the day from a branch, but that looks expensive to use too. And difficult to get money back from afterwards.

Travellers cheques?? I've no experience of them but suspect they are an expensive way of getting euros locally in Ibiza.

So any ideas welcomed!

moneywasternomore!

Travelex Cash Passport? Pre-loaded in euros and order online for collection at the airport. Had one on recent trip to the States (obviously not in Euros!!) and customer service was very good when we had an issue about a transaction that was blocking our available credit.

stephb34

Get a preloaded card in your name give him the second card and if he runs out of money you can just top it up for him and if he loses it you would be able to sort a replacement out for him, also theres now worries about his bank account being emptied because they're not linked to it.

Hermann

stephb34 wrote: »

Get a preloaded card in your name give him the second card and if he runs out of money you can just top it up for him and if he loses it you would be able to sort a replacement out for him, also theres now worries about his bank account being emptied because they're not linked to it.

What card could I get that I could have in time for them leaving ie by Weds.

Could only be one that I can collect I would think.

silvercar

Hermann wrote: »

What card could I get that I could have in time for them leaving ie by Weds.

Could only be one that I can collect I would think.

Any of the High Street travel agents that have travel exchanges inside will sell you a euro pre-loaded card. No need to order.

Voyager2002

The Nationwide Flex account visa card charges five pounds for a 200 pound withdrawal, but the exchange rate is good. Not a bad deal, in my opinion. Note that their cash card cannot be used outside the UK.

Otherwise, the Travelex card can be ordered on-line and picked up from any of their branches (check that they have one in the airport of departure).

Wannie_2

Best idea if the OP's son and friends are leaving from a qualifying airport, is to order the Travelex Cash Passport Globe and pay for it using the Nationwide card. You can pick the card up at the airport as long as you give them at least four hours notice.

That way they will receive the full Mastercard exchange rate minus 1.49% on spending and ATM withdrawals. So a £200(equivalent) cash withdrawal would cost £2.98 as compared to £5 for the Nationwide.

Do not get a prepaid from a Travel agent. They are the worst culprits when it comes to added fees. If you really want to get a Prepaid card from the High Street, then get it from Asda, Tesco or Sainsburys. As unlike the Travel Agents, their cards do not have ATM withdrawal fees.

The Globe card recommended above is the best of the bunch. It keeps your money in Pounds until you are ready to use it, just like the Nationwide. So you don't lose out if there is money left over and you want to use it or withdraw it in the UK. Plus it offers the best exchange rate of them all.

It seems that you can also order it via cashback websites, thereby saving another 0.5% on your initial load. That way a £200 equivalent ATM withdrawal would cost you £1.98. Here is a cash-back website link. Sign up go through and choose the Globe card.

If you really want to change your money to Euros; the 1.11 rate offered on the Travelex website for the Euro card is not too bad, so you can go that route too. Order online for pickup at a Travelex shop. Order via a cashback website for 0.5% of your spend back..

The Nationwide would be the subsequent choice.

Whatever you do, use only the Nationwide card to pay online for your travel cards. Do not use the NatWest. They levy extra charges.

So buy the cards and top them up via the Nationwide card or bank account. Then any money owed can be transferred from the NatWest bank to the Nationwide account.

Hermann

Thanks for that everyone, I'll look into Travelex globe now.

Had never heard of it before so glad I asked (and that someone answered!!)