Prepaid Travel Cards guide

danhenshy23

Opted for Revolut for my upcoming holiday to New York. Very happy with the service so far. App it's extremely easy too use and the live currency updates makes it very easy to make sure you are getting the best possible rate.

The card arrived after only a few days, even though the app said it would take 2 weeks.

Used the MSE promo code and was instantly credited with the bonus.

Faultless service so far!

bananadude

Is there any reason that the Post Office travel money card hasn't been mentioned? I was just wondering how it compares in rates to the ones listed? It is obviously more longer established.

From what I can see the charges seem to be ok. The only thing I am struggling to find out is how they calculate their exchange rate when you put money on the card?

NiftyDigits

bananadude wrote: »

Is there any reason that the Post Office travel money card hasn't been mentioned? I was just wondering how it compares in rates to the ones listed? It is obviously more longer established.

From what I can see the charges seem to be ok. The only thing I am struggling to find out is how they calculate their exchange rate when you put money on the card?

Forget about it. No comparison. There is enough information on this forum to explain why. Take the time to educate yourself.

Spivved1987

I have got the Post Office money card for my kid who lives in Euroland, in the full knowledge that it was going to be a rip-off on rates, but I needed an 'over the counter' solution to meet an immediate need in the few days when she happened to be in the UK. I fail to see how a snotty 'do some research' comment (ie "read through the 200+ posts above") actually helps.

Is there a card (I'm not worried about it being absolutely top of the rate tables) which can
(a) allow internet purchases
(b) have the money available quickly (ie within 24 hours) and
(c) CRUCIALLY, can be topped up by a 3rd party in the UK - ie me! - using FasterPay

In the last couple of years my offspring have been costing me (yes, I know I shouldn't etc etc but that's another argument) a fortune in bank charges as they use their UK Bank debit cards abroad and the UK banks happily let them go over their overdraft limits.

NiftyDigits

Spivved1987 wrote: »

I have got the Post Office money card for my kid who lives in Euroland, in the full knowledge that it was going to be a rip-off on rates, but I needed an 'over the counter' solution to meet an immediate need in the few days when she happened to be in the UK. I fail to see how a snotty 'do some research' comment (ie "read through the 200+ posts above") actually helps.

Is there a card (I'm not worried about it being absolutely top of the rate tables) which can
(a) allow internet purchases
(b) have the money available quickly (ie within 24 hours) and
(c) CRUCIALLY, can be topped up by a 3rd party in the UK - ie me! - using FasterPay

In the last couple of years my offspring have been costing me (yes, I know I shouldn't etc etc but that's another argument) a fortune in bank charges as they use their UK Bank debit cards abroad and the UK banks happily let them go over their overdraft limits.

Revolut..... They'll have a virtual card usable online as soon as they sign up and have a balance on the card. Probably done in ten minutes or less.
Money available instantly. You can do a bank transfer to their Revoult account(which can take a day) or a faster payment to their debit card account and then they can top their Revolut account up immediately. If you both have the application installed, you can transfer money instantly that way. Physical card delivered in around five days.
Research refers to the fact that most people here are constantly referring to the best cards. They are not stupid. So why would one think the Travel Money card acceptable? That they are somehow smarter than everyone here. That they have spotted a hidden gem? If one can't be bothered to check the difference between the PO and the recommended cards, perhaps they deserve to be ripped off.
There is a wealth of information right in front of you. Do you think that one should explain the same thing to every new person that comes along?
Utilise the existing resources. No need to read 200+ posts. Just work your way backwards. Clearly better to waste someone else's time, than to take ten minutes to read the latest info.

Spivved1987

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Research refers to the fact that most people here are constantly referring to the best cards. They are not stupid. So why would one think the Travel Money card acceptable? That they are somehow smarter than everyone here. That they have spotted a hidden gem? If one can't be bothered to check the difference between the PO and the recommended cards, perhaps they deserve to be ripped off.
There is a wealth of information right in front of you. Do you think that one should explain the same thing to every new person that comes along?
Utilise the existing resources. No need to read 200+ posts. Just work your way backwards. Clearly better to waste someone else's time, than to take ten minutes to read the latest info.

I don't disagree with you in principle. However, I just happen to think that a response which is basically "Do some research !!!!!!" is unlikely to make the person come here again. Also, nobody DESERVES to be ripped off; that is exactly the philosophy underlying the Utilities companies which come up with a myriad of tariffs, which means that people with the time and the inclination (and the ability) to hunt down the best deals are subsidised by those not in that fortunate position. Ditto insurance companies' treatment of new as opposed to existing customers.

I also think part of the problem is the open-ended nature of these forum subjects; how does know that the 'right' answer was given in (say) post #75 and the next 200 posts are merely refinements of #75?

If a new product better than #75 comes up and needs to be publicised, it should be the subject of a new thread, surely?

NiftyDigits

Spivved1987 wrote: »

I don't disagree with you in principle. However, I just happen to think that a response which is basically "Do some research !!!!!!" is unlikely to make the person come here again. Also, nobody DESERVES to be ripped off; that is exactly the philosophy underlying the Utilities companies which come up with a myriad of tariffs, which means that people with the time and the inclination (and the ability) to hunt down the best deals are subsidised by those not in that fortunate position. Ditto insurance companies' treatment of new as opposed to existing customers.

I also think part of the problem is the open-ended nature of these forum subjects; how does know that the 'right' answer was given in (say) post #75 and the next 200 posts are merely refinements of #75?

If a new product better than #75 comes up and needs to be publicised, it should be the subject of a new thread, surely?

What on earth are you banging on about?

I replied to the first poster with "forget about it"(PO Travel Money card). The rest was some general enquiry about rates. If they want to understand about rates, there is a wealth of information on this board with which to educate themselves.

Your post was very different. You had very specific criteria, so a specific reply was apt.
Perhaps a thank you would have been appropriate....lest because of your ingratitude I choose not help anyone else.... !!!!!!

Spivved1987

"There is enough information on this forum to explain why. Take the time to educate yourself."

and

"If one can't be bothered to check the difference between the PO and the recommended cards, perhaps they deserve to be ripped off"

are the bits I found questionable. I don't think I was 'banging on about' anything.

I have thanked you for the detailed response re my specific question.

NiftyDigits

Spivved1987 wrote: »

"There is enough information on this forum to explain why. Take the time to educate yourself."

and

"If one can't be bothered to check the difference between the PO and the recommended cards, perhaps they deserve to be ripped off"

are the bits I found questionable. I don't think I was 'banging on about' anything.

I have thanked you for the detailed response re my specific question.

Questionable you may think, but I think it patently ridiculous that someone should suggest that the card 'has not been mentioned'.

Post Office Travel Money Card - nightmare

I was equally friendly on that thread too

Apart from the very detailed explanations on the forum, we also have the guide on the main site: Prepaid Travel Cards

So yes, people should take time out to educate themselves, using the extensive resource found on this forum, on the basics, rather than to expect someone to explain the same thing all over again for every person that asks. The threads here are current.

Whereas your question had the kind of specific criteria that only someone with knowledge of the market could answer with confidence.

...and yes you did bang on about my reply to someone else before even thanking me with a warm hug for my detailed answer to your question.

This thread is about prepaid cards and contains the latest info. There is clearly good reason as to why the PO card is not recommended and the answers are already there for someone who can be bothered to take a few minutes to look for them. I 'Googled' Post Office Travel Money Card moneysavingexpert and was rewarded with the answer in seconds.

eDicky

Spivved1987 wrote: »

I have got the Post Office money card for my kid who lives in Euroland, in the full knowledge that it was going to be a rip-off on rates, but I needed an 'over the counter' solution to meet an immediate need in the few days when she happened to be in the UK. I fail to see how a snotty 'do some research' comment (ie "read through the 200+ posts above") actually helps.

Is there a card (I'm not worried about it being absolutely top of the rate tables) which can
(a) allow internet purchases
(b) have the money available quickly (ie within 24 hours) and
(c) CRUCIALLY, can be topped up by a 3rd party in the UK - ie me! - using FasterPay

In the last couple of years my offspring have been costing me (yes, I know I shouldn't etc etc but that's another argument) a fortune in bank charges as they use their UK Bank debit cards abroad and the UK banks happily let them go over their overdraft limits.

Well, here you are on MSE, and not as a total newcomer, apparently still paying the price of not using the information freely available...

Here are a few possibilities, without knowing the exact circumstances:

Revolut is the modern solution to most multi-currency situations these days, with it's ease of use and versatility.

If your 'kid' is under eighteen, there is the FairFX euro card with attached 'friends and family' card for her, topped up from your principal card. Not fee-free but cheaper than the PO card.

'Over the counter' should not be essential if you can mail on a card after receiving it to your address.

The ones using UK bank debit cards should switch to or open with N&P BS or Metrobank (with immediately issued card).

If they are living and working or studying in 'Euroland', they should be able to open a euro bank account locally, which you could fund cheaply through an exchange broker such as TransferWise, or for free using Revolut.