travel cards

mikk

Is info here updated? The Ukash prepaid card caught my eye last year but was too late to take it abroad. Just looked now and they have intoduced new charges contradicting MSE-so is the Halifax Clarity still the best primarily for atm euro withdrawels (ie. free!) abroad ?

grumbler

withdrawals

Don't know about Ukash, but Clarity remains the best credit card. Some debit cards are better for withdrawals, especially in Europe, as you don't pay interest.

Anthorn

Usually you will save money by getting a prepaid travel card in the local currency if only to avoid the foreign currency charge. At times when the exchange rate is volatile you can get more bang for your buck by getting the card when the exchange rate is most favourable.

chattychappy

Anthorn wrote: »

you can get more bang for your buck by getting the card when the exchange rate is most favourable.

Any tips on how to beat the markets?

Roger1

Anthorn wrote: »

Usually you will save money by getting a prepaid travel card in the local currency if only to avoid the foreign currency charge.

Usually? This would only be the case if you loaded the card in local currency if you already have local currency (which begs the question why would you bother). If not, you would need to acquire local currency and pay a fee for the f/x transaction.

Unless you have an answer to chattychappy's question that nobody's come across before.

grumbler

Roger1 wrote: »

...This would only be the case if you loaded the card in local currency if you already have local currency (which begs the question why would you bother). If not, you would need to acquire local currency and pay a fee for the f/x transaction.

I think if a prepaid card is nominated in, say, € , you £ get converted to € when you load the card.

Fix the rate when loading with the Euro and Dollar cards

https://www.fairfx.com/moneysavingexpert7

It's not that I have any tips on when it's the best time to load the card.

mikk

It seems MSE is up to date. Just applied (successfully) for Halifax Clarity-they will give them to anybody! So coupled with a prepaid card I'll be fit to travel. Fairfx offers the best euro rate but charges for atm withdrawals, Ukash (still looks favourite) sllghtly worse rate but free, then Caxton. Do you agree? Then all I need to do is predict the best time to load Euros!

grumbler

I don't agree. All I need is Clarity and a couple of spare cards just in case.

guesswho2000

mikk wrote: »

It seems MSE is up to date. Just applied (successfully) for Halifax Clarity-they will give them to anybody! So coupled with a prepaid card I'll be fit to travel. Fairfx offers the best euro rate but charges for atm withdrawals, Ukash (still looks favourite) sllghtly worse rate but free, then Caxton. Do you agree? Then all I need to do is predict the best time to load Euros!

I'd skip the prepaid card entirely. Use the Clarity for everything, but do take a backup - your standard UK credit card will do - in case the Clarity gets blocked for some reason.

You won't beat the Clarity's exchange rate with a prepaid card, and if you have to use your UK card, the 2.75% (ish) forex fee is not likely to make it much worse than a prepaid card.

chattychappy

I spend many weeks if not months each year overseas. Mostly Asia, but also Europe.

I carry:

1) Halifax Clarity - cash, backup for purchases
2) Santander Zero - cash, backup for purchases [probably no longer available to newcomers]
3) Barclaycard - backup for cash

4) Nationwide Select - purchases
5) Post Office Mastercard - purchases

(1), (2), (4), (5) are zero loaded for currency conversion
(1), (2) don't charge fees for ATM, though they do charge interest from date of withdrawal
(3) charges 2.99% for foreign ATM withdrawals, but doesn't apply any other fees and treats the withdrawal like a purchase - ie up to 56 days interest free.

5 cards might seem like overkill, but getting them replaced whilst away is tricky and blocks do occur.