Travel Money - Rome/Sorrento

NiftyDigits

clarabell1984 wrote: »

I just don't like the idea of withdrawing cash going against me especially just after we are married and probably going to be trying for a mortgage for a bigger house.

If i'm reading it right, The Kalixa Pay card charges ATM fees and it also costs a fee to purchase it, where the Ukash doesn't.

Swings and Roundabouts...

The UKASH Travel Money card locks you into a rate of 1.248€
It appears a relatively simple option for your Italian trip. But...
If you have money left over it will cost you 2.75% of what is left, to spend it in the UK and a further 1.8€ to withdraw it....or 12€ + 2.75% of the total to redeem the card.

Kalixa Pay costs £6.95 to purchase. Currently offers a rate of 1.269€
Pulling the max from the ATM of say, 375€, even after the £2.25 ATM withdrawal fee, you end up with current rate of 1.2594825€
So clearly better than the UKASH card for larger withdrawals. For any purchase, a rate of 1.269€, as above.
What I would do is to take out a lump sum, pay your deposit and then you'll have a decent amount of 'walking around' cash.
Use the card to pay for things wherever you can. Keep the cash for cash only transactions and plan to use it(cash) up before you leave.
No loss on any funds left on the card, as they can be used Pound for Pound in the UK or anywhere in the world; passing on the full Mastercard rate. The card has a life of four years, so can be used for multiple holidays and Internet transactions in a foreign currency.
Whereas the UKASH card can only effectively be used in Europe(not including the UK). Outside Europe and you are back to square one.

So Kalixa Pay would be my choice. Take whatever ever suits your personality.

clarabell1984

Thanks for all of your advice, I will definitely look it to it more but the kalixa card does sound better, thanks for explaining in such depth!

clarabell1984

[QUOTE
No loss on any funds left on the card, as they can be used Pound for Pound in the UK or anywhere in the world; passing on the full Mastercard rate. .[/QUOTE]

So if I have euros left over on the card when we come home, we can withdraw back in the UK in pounds for free?

NiftyDigits

clarabell1984 wrote: »

[QUOTE
No loss on any funds left on the card, as they can be used Pound for Pound in the UK or anywhere in the world; passing on the full Mastercard rate. .

So if I have euros left over on the card when we come home, we can withdraw back in the UK in pounds for free?

Any balance on Kalixa Pay will be in Pounds.

clarabell1984

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Any balance on Kalixa Pay will be in Pounds.

and will cost me £2.25 to withdraw? Sorry i'm being a bit thick but its been a long day! :rotfl:

NiftyDigits

clarabell1984 wrote: »

and will cost me £2.25 to withdraw? Sorry i'm being a bit thick but its been a long day! :rotfl:

Domestic ATM Fee
£1.75

But why would you need to withdraw it? You can just use it anywhere that you can use a Mastercard, so no fee at all. That way you can use it to the last penny. If you use an ATM, you have to take multiples of £10.

Much more difficult to do that with a foreign currency card, as there are forex fees and buffers to consider. So, unless you are good with figures, you won't know how much you are spending in Pounds until it's itemised.

With Kalixa Pay, it will be penny for penny. You can also get free alerts telling you exactly what you have spent after every transaction. Useful for when abroad.

Long day eh?

clarabell1984

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Domestic ATM Fee
£1.75

But why would you need to withdraw it? You can just use it anywhere that you can use a Mastercard, so no fee at all. That way you can use it to the last penny. If you use an ATM, you have to take multiples of £10.

Much more difficult to do that with a foreign currency card, as there are forex fees and buffers to consider. So, unless you are good with figures, you won't know how much you are spending in Pounds until it's itemised.

With Kalixa Pay, it will be penny for penny. You can also get free alerts telling you exactly what you have spent after every transaction. Useful for when abroad.

Long day eh?

Its taking me a bit to get my head round all these different cards, its no it something I knows about so I'm still learning

NiftyDigits

If you live within the M25, pop into a Metro Bank to get one of their debit cards. No charges for any kind of transaction within Europe. Problem solved.

Armorica

Spend on card where you can rather than cash (and won't get hit with the cash advance fee)

If you do take out cash - do a large amount at one time rather than five small amounts to minise fees

The post office travel card is generally well regarded
http://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-money/card

NiftyDigits

Armorica wrote: »

Spend on card where you can rather than cash (and won't get hit with the cash advance fee)

If you do take out cash - do a large amount at one time rather than five small amounts to minise fees

The post office travel card is generally well regarded
http://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-money/card

You were doing so well...until the last sentence. Then you lost all credibility.