Best way to spend money abroad

ahogg16

Hi looking for some advice
I am travelling to Australia, New Zealand and Singapore for 5 weeks in February.
I am trying to figure out the best way to access and spend my money whilst abroad and what credit/debits cars to use etc etc.

I have had a look at the Halifax Clarity credit card with a view to "over paying" putting the card in credit however this breaches the terms and conditions of the card.
From a quick look the FairFX anywhere card charges 1.4% for every transaction you make ?? this will add up over 5 weeks !

Between myself and my partner we have a Nationwide Flex account, Nationwide Credit card, Halifax Ultimate reward account, and a barclaycard current account and Barclaycard platinum Credit card. Not fully researched how we could use these as yet.

we will be taking some cash of course but not safe to carry enough for 5 weeks !

any advise would be greatly appreciated.

thank you

Bob_the_Saver

Oz, NZ and Singapore are normally some of they safest destinations you could go to, what exactly are you expecting to happen?
Take cash and a Metro Bank debit card (available in 20 mins in London.)

redddevil

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

Oz, NZ and Singapore are normally some of they safest destinations you could go to, what exactly are you expecting to happen?
Take cash and a Metro Bank debit card (available in 20 mins in London.)

...and if you don't live in London?

Bob_the_Saver

redddevil wrote: »

...and if you don't live in London?

Well I don't but called in on my way to Heathrow and walked out with my debit card.
Many people go to London from time to time.

2sides2everystory

I second what Bob says - it really is worth a special visit to London or to take an hour out whilst in London or passing through on other business even if that other business is your trip abroad! (You may have to wait a little but as Bob suggests, 20 mins is all it takes for a current account and debit card once you are at the desk - adding a credit card will take extra time)

You will actually walk out of the branch with the working card in your hand. They'll ask you to test it in the ATM before you leave. I got mine that easily, and my teenage son and his friend did recently too for a trip abroad.

Metrobank's credit card is just as good FOREX wise, although if you want a second card for the missus or the kids as cardholders you may have to allow some days for that to come through the post - a security preference I think - but in my case they waived it due to a minor oversight in posting and manually overided the issue of the extra cards on a second visit to the branch.

The FOREX rates are Mastercard rates with no added commission. Brilliant. I even use mine on PayPal when I buy anything listed in dollars - far better than the PayPal rate and of course the debit card is great for buying Ryanair flights originating in Euroland or other foreign climes - far better than Ryanair's rip off FOREX.