FairFX Anywhere vs Euro

Ximian

Slow day at work today ..... I'm comparing the two cards mentioned in the title and I'm trying to work out which one will be the most cost effective for a trip to Europe. I have a FairFX Anywhere card that I have used for travels to Australia and I have booked a Euro trip for July. I believe that I can use the FairFX Anywhere card in Europe but I was wondering if this is the right thing to do or should I definitely get a FairFX Euro card?

I have had a look on the FairFX website and there is mention that when you top up the Euro card you get the exchange rate when you topped the card up, this could be good or bad, depending on the exchange rate when you travel. The Anywhere card is topped up with Pounds Stirling and I understand that you will get the exchange rate at the time the money is spent/withdrawn.

The Anywhere Card incurs a 1.4% point of sale fee and £1 international ATM withdrawal charge.

The Euro Card does not incur any fees for point of sale and charges €1.50 for ATM withdrawals.

Providing I pay cash for most items (using the ATM to withdraw) I'll be better off using the Anywhere card since the ATM charge for the Euro card is £1.27 (€1.50). The only other cost difference I can see is fixing a Euro rate at the time of purchasing Euros vs. the exchange rate on the day I withdraw Euros using the Anywhere card.

There is an offer of an additional £10 bonus for the Euro card subject to £500 top up which sounds good providing that I don't withdraw from an ATM too often.
http://www.fairfx.com/moneysupermarket4#a_id=moneysupermarket-eurooffer&chan=

Is my understanding of the costs correct, that there isn't that much of a difference except the POS charges and ATM withdrawal costs?

TIA

Gloomendoom

Have you considered getting a fee free credit card or debit card instead?

Ximian

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Have you considered getting a fee free credit card or debit card instead?

I have now, thanks.

I've taken a look at the Halifax Clarity card which looks good. I'd be making ATM withdrawals mostly as the hotel has already been paid in full and I'll be paying for food and entertainment using cash.

I'll pay off any expenses on the credit card in full before the due date since the holiday is only for one week and taking into account just the ATM withdrawal costs it makes the Halifax Clarity card a better choice, the exchange rate is also better than FairFX

zagfles

Ximian wrote: »

I have now, thanks.

I've taken a look at the Halifax Clarity card which looks good. I'd be making ATM withdrawals mostly as the hotel has already been paid in full and I'll be paying for food and entertainment using cash.

I'll pay off any expenses on the credit card in full before the due date since the holiday is only for one week and taking into account just the ATM withdrawal costs it makes the Halifax Clarity card a better choice, the exchange rate is also better than FairFX

Good choice but to save more interest, pay it off as soon as you get back from holiday (you don't need to wait for the statement - just check your balance online and pay it).

Ximian

I'm not a Halifax customer at the moment. If I sign up for a Halifax Clarity card will I have access to pay the card off online or do I have to have a bank account with Halifax in order to bank online and pay off the credit card?

NiftyDigits

Ximian wrote: »

I'm not a Halifax customer at the moment. If I sign up for a Halifax Clarity card will I have access to pay the card off online or do I have to have a bank account with Halifax in order to bank online and pay off the credit card?

No, as long as you can make payments from your current bank account. No requirement to bank with the Halifax.
If you live in London, it's better to get a debit card from Metro Bank..

hilary7587

My husband got a FairFX Euro card to use when on holiday in Europe. It was used OK in Dubrovnik but in Sorrento, Italy he couldn't find any where it would be accepted. He now has had notice to renew the card at a cost of £5.95 or pay £10 to get the remaining cashback from the card in sterling!
So I would say it is of limited use and has hidden costs - beware the small print. Couldn't recommend.

Hezzawithkids

hilary7587 wrote: »

My husband got a FairFX Euro card to use when on holiday in Europe. It was used OK in Dubrovnik but in Sorrento, Italy he couldn't find any where it would be accepted. He now has had notice to renew the card at a cost of £5.95 or pay £10 to get the remaining cashback from the card in sterling!
So I would say it is of limited use and has hidden costs - beware the small print. Couldn't recommend.

That's a worry. I've used my FairFX Euro card in France & Cyprus and am planning to use it in Italy this summer. As it has the Mastercard symbol on it what was the reason your husband was given for it being turned down?

Seagull_Sid

We have both a Dollar and a Euro card and have never had a problem using them anywhere. Your husband should be able to draw down his balance and empty the account from any ATM.

ManAtHome

I have a Caxton Euro card with a few euros left on it as a back-up to the back-up - only load it if there's a good rate/special offer between hols (last load was about a year ago), generally rates aren't too god though.

Main cards are Clarity and Santander debit (Santander ATMs in Spain only) with oldish Nationwide Flex as a 'just in case'.

Hezzawithkids

Just as an update we are currently enjoying our Italian holiday and have been using the Euro FX Card in lots of places with no problems.