Spending money for Mexico - best way

zagfles

Wonder if it's because it's a pre-paid card? Did you try your credit card at the same places the Travelex one didn't work at? Did that work?

mystra

zagfles wrote: »

Wonder if it's because it's a pre-paid card? Did you try your credit card at the same places the Travelex one didn't work at? Did that work?

But the whole point is that it's a pre paid card accepted anywhere that accepts MasterCard. I didn't take my actual credit card as it has a poor rate abroad. I had my debit card for emergencies but there was more money on the Travelex card than in my bank account at the time, because I had put most of my spending money on the card.

zagfles

mystra wrote: »

But the whole point is that it's a pre paid card accepted anywhere that accepts MasterCard. I didn't take my actual credit card as it has a poor rate abroad. I had my debit card for emergencies but there was more money on the Travelex card than in my bank account at the time, because I had put most of my spending money on the card.

I think there are more problems with the acceptance of pre-paid cards than credit cards. Did you try the debit card at all?

The NatWest card rate wouldn't have been horrendous, probably about 3% markup on the MasterCard/VISA rate as opposed to Travelex 1.5% or thereabouts... it's always worth taking all your cards as backup, also having a VISA as well as a MasterCard (when I was in Italy there were all sorts of problems with VISA, but MasterCard was fine!)

You should also be able to get cash over the counter in a bank with a credit card if the ATM isn't working (not sure about pre-paid).

PS thanks for coming back with the update - this thread will be useful for people in the future.

mystra

zagfles wrote: »

I think there are more problems with the acceptance of pre-paid cards than credit cards. Did you try the debit card at all?

The NatWest card rate wouldn't have been horrendous, probably about 3% markup on the MasterCard/VISA rate as opposed to Travelex 1.5% or thereabouts... it's always worth taking all your cards as backup, also having a VISA as well as a MasterCard (when I was in Italy there were all sorts of problems with VISA, but MasterCard was fine!)

You should also be able to get cash over the counter in a bank with a credit card if the ATM isn't working (not sure about pre-paid).

PS thanks for coming back with the update - this thread will be useful for people in the future.

Didn't try the debit card, although that was all happening the day before payday so the bank account was pretty empty so i knew it wasn't going to be much help (we did have about £100 in Pesos on us so not completely unprepared).

I think next time i'll either just take money or plan further ahead now i know better and get a credit card specifically for spending abroad.

No matter what the Travelex customer services team were appalling in the situation. Hanging up on a distressed customer is not good practice. I used to work in customer services myself in a call centre - hanging up on abusive customers is acceptable of course but to hang up on someone upset and distressed is just wrong.

I guess the Travelex Cash Passport Globe is fine when it works and if you don't need to actually need help! :rotfl:

zagfles

Yes, the other big advantage of a credit card is you don't have to tie any money up in it. Wouldn't worry about your credit rating being affected if you get another, I had 4 and two big overdraft facilities on my current account when I applied for the Clarity, and they still gave me their best rate plus a massive credit limit and I don't even have any other accounts/products with them!