Travel Money Maximiser Discussion Area

Ingsy

Gah! I've been reading through here but still a bit confused. I'm off to the US in October for a few days. I was thinking of taking around $1000. I don't know whether it's best to take cash, or open an account and use a debit / credit card abroad.

Can anyone help out a thicko? Thanks

dodong

Thanks for the post. It is greatly appreciated.

JennyCol

I am off to Canada in 3 weeks and wondering whether to take all my spending money with me or use my Nationwide Flexaccount debit card. I know Nationwide don't charge for me to take money out but is there any chance that the Canadian banks may charge me?

misterfusty

I'm very confused!
I too am going to Canada in about 6 wks time and wondering about prepaid cards. I don't have a Nationwide account so would need either cash ( I don't want really want to carry a wad of that around though), travellers cheques or a prepaid card. I was looking at the Caxton Fx card but as I'll be converting to canadian dollars, they'll be a 2.75% fee whether I have the Euro or US dollar card. Will this be the case with all of these prepaid cards or are there any better deals to be had?

lrr_2

Ingsy wrote: »

Gah! I've been reading through here but still a bit confused. I'm off to the US in October for a few days. I was thinking of taking around $1000. I don't know whether it's best to take cash, or open an account and use a debit / credit card abroad.

Can anyone help out a thicko? Thanks

Im off to the states in October too!

I always take cash with me (some people think im mad!) on holiday. Never used travellers cheques for years. If I need extra I used my Nationwide debit card. Its not a thick wad of notes (mostly $100 bills) and I just put it in the safe in my hotel room. That way I know exactly what I have to spend every day, anything left over from one day goes on to the next etc so by the end you have a nice little bundle for that last minute shopping. I find that way I only buy what I really want and if I really want it badly I go back another day. Stops impulse buying (which I am really bad at!).

As for buying dollars online, I was sceptical too but would now never go back to buying on the high street. I use thomas global exchange which posts them out recorded delivery for £5 or there is travel money services (that I have not used yet as the other one has always had the better rate). However I think travel money services is good if you buy in advance. You just have to way up if you think if the rate is going to get better or worse. Its a gamble I know. Some win some lose.

annies1

Hi,
I'm new here and not sure where to put this - but on the main travel page it says that if you want the FAIRFX card for currency then going through the link will save the 9.95 fee. I tried to register yesterday and it told me they didn't have enough info on me (even with all my driving licence details) so I emailed them.

They have emialed me back today saying it's fine I am registered go ahead and apply for a card, so I came back to this site, went through the link and they are still trying to charge me 9.95 - it looks like they are not sticking to the agreement they have made to be noted as the 'TOP' prepaid card on this site. Am I doing it wrong?

Thank you.

Sun

Card fraud-fearing Brit tourists carry cash
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/08/22/card_fraud_abroad_fears/

annies1

annies1 wrote: »

Hi,
I'm new here and not sure where to put this - but on the main travel page it says that if you want the FAIRFX card for currency then going through the link will save the 9.95 fee. I tried to register yesterday and it told me they didn't have enough info on me (even with all my driving licence details) so I emailed them.

They have emialed me back today saying it's fine I am registered go ahead and apply for a card, so I came back to this site, went through the link and they are still trying to charge me 9.95 - it looks like they are not sticking to the agreement they have made to be noted as the 'TOP' prepaid card on this site. Am I doing it wrong?

Thank you.

Hi

In reply to my above post, I have heard back from Fairfx who have given me a new link - GO THROUGH MONEYSUPERMARKET.COM - that is how you get the card for free.

So I have now applied and been accepted and am just awaiting my new card.:j

shoppaholic_returns

hI has anyone had experience of using m&s for currency exchange? Do you know if their rates are comparible to others for euros, am flying from terminal 5 at heathrow and was considering travelex option, but wondered if i would have to leave my address details there, and saw this as a bit of a security issue (home empty etc), any experience here also????

Many thanks

shoppaholic_returns

Any body???