How do you take your spending money abroad?

Kathy535

I always used to take cash or travellers cheques but there is no mini safe in our apartments and so I'm looking at alternatives. I have a halifax clarity credit card but I'm worrying over what I should do. I was planning in taking enough euros for the first few days and then use the card to pay for meals / withdraw cash but my mother has suggested that the financial situation in Greece may mean that a) cash points in Greece may not work / be fully stocked and b) restaurants / shops may not take cards. We are going to Stoupa in mainland Greece and there are two cash points which seem to be fairly reliable. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions?

Thank you

Doshwaster

I'm not sure which airport you'll fly into but I've never seen one anywhere that didn't have cash machines. Just withdraw some money there.

Mothers always worry, that's their job, but the financial situation in Greece has settled down and I'm sure everyone will be very grateful for your money whether you spend in cash or plastic.

MancBrel

On the whole (ie when spending Euros) I have a float of about 150 - 200 that I take with me. After that I always make sure that our joint Nationwide account has adequate funds and use the ATM's. I have had experiences on Greek Islands when the ATM's have been down for technical reasons. It was a few years back, so may not be an issue these days so much (let's face it, it happens here, but we just find another banks machine to use). So long as you make sure that you don't visit the cash machine when you are down to your last cent, you should be alright.

wantonnoodle

I would certainly use the card to pay where possible but be careful about ATM withdrawals. Halifax charge interest from the moment the transaction takes place not from the statement date, which means the charge can add up.

mgdavid

£500 to £1000 in local currency, split up between the two of us. Split further between person and luggage, and sometimes carry two wallets. Sometimes hide some in the car. Then card if/when more is needed.

ManAtHome

I was on Ios during May and everything was fairly normal. Only issue was a 'non-working' ATM, turned out it had run out of €20 notes - local taverna tipped me off and it magically started working when I asked for €150 not €140... (Spanish ATMs tend to tell you if they've run out of 20s or 50s).

Take a back-up card for the Clarity - I've not had a problem yet, but eggs and baskets etc. Good idea to call Halifax and let them know when you're going so you don't hit any 'potential fraud' blocks on the card.

Kathy535

Excellent, thank you, you've put my mind at ease and some good ideas there.

poet123

Is the Nationwide Flex card still fee free for ATM withdrawals?

Doshwaster

wantonnoodle wrote: »

I would certainly use the card to pay where possible but be careful about ATM withdrawals. Halifax charge interest from the moment the transaction takes place not from the statement date, which means the charge can add up.

Yes, the Clarity card does accrue interest daily but if you have their lowest rate (12.9%) and pay the balance off within a month then you'll only be paying about 1% which is cheaper than most debit cards once you take charges and FX loadings into account.

ManAtHome

poet123 wrote: »

Is the Nationwide Flex card still fee free for ATM withdrawals?

Not the 'old' one (dunno about the newer incarnations) - from memory they charge 2% plus a quid - so around 2.4% on €300-worth. Haven't used mine since they changed the charges a few years ago.

Seanymph

We have a FairFX card, transfer cash onto it before we go then use it like a debit card when we are abroad.