Singapore and Australia currency question

so3003

What's the best (cheapest) way of getting currency for Singapore and Australia?

We're travelling abroad soon (mid January) to Singapore and Australia on our honeymoon. We have a Halifax Clarity card for spending abroad, but obviously will still need some hard currency to spend on incidentals when we are away. Between my fiance and I we have a Santander (old Alliance & Leicester) Premier Direct account with debit card; a Nationwide Flexaccount with debit card; and a Smile account with debit card. Is it cheaper to:

- withdraw currency from bank machines while abroad using one of these cards (if so, which one?)
- buy currency from a bureau de change in the UK (and if so, which one?)
- get a prepaid card (if so, which one?)
- organise a new bank account to use the debit card (and again, which one?)

We're going to be in Singapore for a total of 6 days, and about 14 days in Australia.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Scott

dzug1

If it's worth the hassle, then the best bet is a Metro bank account. Only snag is you have to open it in person in London - but it is done on the spot. No charges at all on foreign transactions.

If you live in their catchment area Cumberland BS are another one, and Norwich and Peterborough offer something similar, though I'm not up to date with the finer points of it.

For prepaid cards Travelex Cash passport GLOBE is among the best. 1.49% exchange fee only. Don't be fobbed off with one of their other offerings

Though for you using your Clarity card to get cash and paying the small amount of interest must be a front runner. Depends how much effort you are prepared to put in for the absolute minimum cost.

Still take your other cards with you as backups.

so3003

Thanks for your reply. We're based in Scotland so the London account is out unfortunately. I'll have a look at the Travelex card though.

TakeThis

If you intend to pay your full statement amount via DD, you could just use the Halifax Clarity. Though you might wish to review your credit limit in this case.

Travelex Cash Passport Globe ordered via TopCashBack or Quidco (if you have an existing Quidco account) will bring back 0.5% of your first top up. Effectively bring the cost down to 0.99%. More hassle to top this one up whilst abroad though.

Cashback website > Travelex > Globe card.

Do not load the Prepaid card with any of these bank cards: Barclays, Lloyds TSB, Natwest, Santander or RBS as they(the banks) may levy a charge . Co-op may charge too, but may refund if pressed(Simply because there is nothing in their T&Cs about this charge).

Kalixa Card via one of cashback websites is also another option(as you recoup the cost of the card). £2.25 ATM withdrawal fee but no forex charges. So better than the Globe card for larger withdrawals; say over £150. Not that much feedback on this card though.