I Don't understand

PeteDoff

zagfles wrote: »

The exchange rate is the same, but the Kalixa has a charge to buy (though it may be possible to get it free via a cashback site?), also you'd need to work out how to spend the exact amount you have left on the card, plus of course as the Clarity is a credit card you could have the money sat in an interest paying account and get a bit of interest until you have to pay it off.

So all in all the Clarity it better for spending, though as you say it might not be an option for some people.

Kalixa can be obtained totally free (I did)
My kalixa is valid for 4 years so plenty of time to spend every single last penny.

zagfles

PeteDoff wrote: »

Kalixa can be obtained totally free (I did)

The Clarity is always obtained totally free.

My kalixa is valid for 4 years so plenty of time to spend every single last penny.

How much interest does it pay?

The Clarity is a better option overall than the Kalixa for purchases. You pay later rather than upfront, allowing you to earn a bit of interest, and you don't have to predict your spending requirements in advance. You get better protection. You don't have to jump through hoops to get it fee free. It's less hassle if you lose it, or are a victim of fraud.

PeteDoff

zagfles wrote: »

The Clarity is always obtained totally free.
How much interest does it pay?

I can top it up INSTANTLY (in seconds) so I don't keep much on it, interest is not an issue at all.

And I didn't jump through any hoops to get it - I'm the wrong shape for that anyway!

I have Metro Bank cards as well plus various other mainstream cards but it's horses for courses and not everyone has access to my range of options.

ManAtHome

People living far from the Kingdom of Golden Streets would not agree that the Metro Bank debit card is the cheapest for ATMs. The N&P account is much more widely available, but even with that, the savings may not be enough to justify running/loading a separate account just for euroland spending.

zagfles

PeteDoff wrote: »

I can top it up INSTANTLY (in seconds) so I don't keep much on it, interest is not an issue at all.

And I didn't jump through any hoops to get it - I'm the wrong shape for that anyway!

I have Metro Bank cards as well plus various other mainstream cards but it's horses for courses and not everyone has access to my range of options.

Interest is an issue as you can earn a bit during the interest free period before you have to pay purchases on the Clarity. Also try using the Kalixa to hire a car, at a pay at pump petrol station, even to reserve a hotel room etc. The Clarity is a better option overall. The Kalixa is a good fallback for those who can't get a Clarity for whatever reason, eg credit score.

NiftyDigits

zagfles wrote: »

The exchange rate is the same, but the Kalixa has a charge to buy (though it may be possible to get it free via a cashback site?), also you'd need to work out how to spend the exact amount you have left on the card, plus of course as the Clarity is a credit card you could have the money sat in an interest paying account and get a bit of interest until you have to pay it off.

So all in all the Clarity it better for spending, though as you say it might not be an option for some people.

Kalixa Pay for free.

No problem spending what is left on the card, as it is denominated in Pounds and there are no fees attached to purchases anywhere.
So you can part pay in a supermarket, for an instance...

Regardless, this isn't an argument about which is best, as you could argue that the Nationwide Select is better for overseas spending because of it's 0% for 15 months offer. Then you can put your money in an interest bearing account before paying it off.

The point is only to illustrate that the exchange rate for the Kalixa Pay for purchases is as good as the best of the mainstream cards.

NiftyDigits

Doshwaster wrote: »

This is another advantage credit cards over prepaid ones. If your credit card is swallowed then you can just use another one. If you prepaid vanished into the ATM then it can be very hard to access the balance.

This isn't an argument about choosing a Prepaid card over a mainstream card.
A Prepaid card has many disadvantages as compared to a mainstream card. That is not the issue.
The issue is that many don't have access to the best mainstream cards and the Kalixa Pay allows them access to the exchange rates afforded by the best of the mainstream cards.
The just have to be mindful of the caveats. Not losing it is one of them.
You can get back cards on certain accounts, but then you lose out in terms of pure value.

I don't even own a Kalixa Pay card.

zagfles

rustyboy21 wrote: »

I had other cards available, but wanted to use that one, as had special rates. Waited 3 days for them to courier out another card. OH lent me money, but still shows that people should still take currency with them, not just rely on cards. Hence my comments.

Which is why you should have more than one good value card. Between us we have 7 cards which are better value than changing cash and another couple which are about the same.

Not everyone feels safe just relying on a card and an ATM to like each other.

Not everyone feel safe carrying large amounts of cash around. What if you'd have lost that? It would be far worse than losing a card.

The OP said , in effect how he is fed up with people asking about where to get currency and if I am not mistaken his comments were about using cards instead of a BDC to obtain notes. You just seem to think the sun shines out of credit/prepaid cards proverbials.

Do you always come over as an obnoxious !!!!!!?

Yes. But he know what he's talking about (in general).

The point is changing cash on the UK high street is mug's game. It's out of the ark, but it still seems to be the default way people get their holiday money. It's almost as if getting ripped off on the high street is an essential pre-holiday ritual for some people.

PeacefulWaters

For those who get the Clarity (or other decent card) concept but still like to have some local cash on them as they land the idea of ending your holiday with an ATM withdrawal at the departing airport should be considered.

If you're returning to the same currency zone next time it will work out better value than a visit to a UK travel agent. You just need to keep the cash safe for the next few month and accept any exchange rate volatility (which may favour you).

I think I've shifted to a "there's ATMs in every airport arrival area" point of view over recent months so would be happy to carry no local currency until I've landed. Mrs PW is a million miles off agreeing with me though.

zagfles

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

For those who get the Clarity (or other decent card) concept but still like to have some local cash on them as they land the idea of ending your holiday with an ATM withdrawal at the departing airport should be considered.

If you're returning to the same currency zone next time it will work out better value than a visit to a UK travel agent. You just need to keep the cash safe for the next few month and accept any exchange rate volatility (which may favour you).

Yes I always do this with Euros (overdraw more than I need so I have some for next time)

I think I've shifted to a "there's ATMs in every airport arrival area" point of view over recent months so would be happy to carry no local currency until I've landed. Mrs PW is a million miles off agreeing with me though.

I always have some cash (GBP, EUR) so that in the unlikely event of the airport having no ATMs, or they are all down, and the onwards transport can't be paid by CC, I can change a bit at the airport. The rate will likely be rubbish but it's hardly likely to be needed, and I'd only need a small amount. Some airports you can pay in foreign currency for drinks etc, and they give change in local currency, so you can use that if you need coins etc for the bus.