Prepay Card for my trip to Netherlands

Patrick20

Good Morning. :j

I'm traveling to the Netherlands in two weeks. I just booked it two days ago and I'm really excited but panicking a little thinking I'll forget something important.

My main concern at the moment is I don't want to be carrying 100% cash and don't want to be using my bank account as it has many fees. While I don't have any tarnishes on my credit file, I am unemployed/a full time carer who lives on under £6000 a year so actual a credit card is out of the equation. A pre-paid card seems to be the option but there's countless different ones and many don't suit my circumstances. It's a cheap holiday and I'm only planning on spending £200 (I'd like to have £100 extra as emergency funds though) so the ones with high, flat rate ATM withdrawal fees etc would really cut into my spending money. Any reccomendations?

I've had a look at martin's reccomendations, as well as moneysupermarket and two that stand out for my needs seem to be Ukash and the Easyjet Euro Currency Card. Usually there's a catch with these cards, am I missing something or are these two cards actually good value?

Also since you're here And if you've got the time for discussion I have a few more things I'd like advice on

- I'm flying with KLM with baggage restrictions 55 x 25 x 35 cm, and need good but cheap luggage, Ideas?
- Should I get travel insurance or will the EHIC be enough since I'm in a first world euro zone country?

As always guy appreciate the help :T

MasterPoo

Cheap luggage, you could always take a holdall with smaller dimensions or look at http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_36536+T43253_-1

for some other cabin luggage, when you say cheap, what is your budget?

I took a friend to the indoor market etc. looking for cheap cabin luggage, in the end Debenhams worked out cheaper than the street/market traders, plus the Debenhams one came with a guarantee.

I personally would never leave the UK with just the EHIC, so I wold advise on getting travel insurance, it usually isn't that expensive (if you don't have any pre existing conditions), so try getting a quote just to see? There is a page on MSE dedicated to travel insurance.

Prepaid cards - when I read the pages, Martin clearly pointed out the "catches" so if yo've read the MSE pages and read the T&Cs then you should be ok.

Have a FAB holiday!

Patrick20

Hi, First of all thank you, and I will definately have a fab time :beer:
I did read the pros and cons of the cards Martin recommended, I'm just scared incase I miss something in the massive amounts of terms and conditions that is typical of card providers. I'll probably go with the easyjet one it looks quite straightforward.

My luggage budget isn't as much as I'd like it to be sadly, I could see that the debenhams bag would be a good quality for the price, but if I stretch my budget on that I have to squeeze it on other things i need for the trip. I was thinking £25 being maximum. I've seen some OK examples on amazon but nothing that jumps out.

[Deleted User]

I advise against using a prepaid card in the Netherlands. Most stores accept only the local debit card system (Pinpas). If it is a short holiday just change some Euros before you go. Beware if you need to use public transport without Pinpas it's quite difficult to buy credit for the ov-chipkaart. Best is to top up in cash at Albert Heijn or Jumbo.

Patrick20

Most stores wont accept a visa card? Well that's a surprise. I'd still like to have something other than cash incase of theft or another emergency. The easyjet card doesn't charge for ATM withdrawals, they'll accept visa right?

I've searched around and still think carrying half my funds in a prepay is the best option. Even if I can't use it in stores I'll just wihdraw money when I need it instead of having all my money on my person or in my apartment.

Oh and thanks for the reply :beer:

eDicky

Unless you plan to make further Eurozone trips it is hardly worth the bother of getting and using a prepaid card, then retrieving anything unspent, for a £100 load. Ciaccino is right about many Dutch outlets not accepting foreign-issued cards. (On the other hand, some neighbourhood caf!s and such do not accept cash.) A few €50 notes are easily concealed discreetly.

Similarly, if you are likely to use a new cabin bag only once, try to save the cost by borrowing a small case or rucksack.

Hope for some nice spring weather and enjoy!

maman

Pleeese don't go without travel insurance. It really isn't that expensive for a short holiday. We seem to have loads of threads on here with people trying to sort out the mess because they didn't have any.