Prepaid Travel Cards guide

Menorcan_visitor

On paper, this card seemed to be ideal for me but it has been refused the only two times I have tried to use it. I tried to make purchases on two consecutive days in two different supermarkets in Menorca (Balearic Islands, Spain) which, in case it's of any interest, were Gros Mercat (National firm) and Lidl (pan- European firm.) To cut a long story short, Fairfx customer services cannot identify any reason why the card has been refused but it's, apparently, definitely not their problem or seemingly their responsibility. To avoid any further embarrassment at having a card refused, I am declining their suggestion to 'just keep trying' and will be seeking a refund, returning the card and putting it down to experience. This may just be an isolated incident and I've just been particularly unlucky but in case it isn't I wanted to share my experience.

amorerob

Was this a master card or visa card? Did you have any problems usong ATMs?

amorerob

Do you have any experience with a Caxton FX card?

WAYT

Menorcan_visitor wrote: »

On paper, this card seemed to be ideal for me but it has been refused the only two times I have tried to use it. I tried to make purchases on two consecutive days in two different supermarkets in Menorca (Balearic Islands, Spain) which, in case it's of any interest, were Gros Mercat (National firm) and Lidl (pan- European firm.) To cut a long story short, Fairfx customer services cannot identify any reason why the card has been refused but it's, apparently, definitely not their problem or seemingly their responsibility. To avoid any further embarrassment at having a card refused, I am declining their suggestion to 'just keep trying' and will be seeking a refund, returning the card and putting it down to experience. This may just be an isolated incident and I've just been particularly unlucky but in case it isn't I wanted to share my experience.

Sometimes the reason is that it needs to be put through as a credit card, as opposed to a debit card. If the business does not accept credit cards, perhaps another reason for failure.

Menorcan_visitor

Hello Amorerob - It is a MasterCard & I specifically wanted to use it for retail purchases because ATM use attracts a fee; so I can't comment as to whether it works there. This is the first (and last) prepaid currency card I have had. Once bitten, twice shy... Thanks for replying.
Hello WAYT - I have no idea how these things 'work' but both supermarkets definitely accept credit cards because I completed both transactions using my regular MasterCard just to be sure that wasn't the problem. Thanks for replying and passing on your thoughts.

WAYT

Menorcan_visitor wrote: »

Hello Amorerob - It is a MasterCard & I specifically wanted to use it for retail purchases because ATM use attracts a fee; so I can't comment as to whether it works there. This is the first (and last) prepaid currency card I have had. Once bitten, twice shy... Thanks for replying.
Hello WAYT - I have no idea how these things 'work' but both supermarkets definitely accept credit cards because I completed both transactions using my regular MasterCard just to be sure that wasn't the problem. Thanks for replying and passing on your thoughts.

Indeed, but they often ask you "debit card or credit card?". Chances are that you replied debit card.
No saying that it is the solution. I just remember this being the solution for some a while ago.

Menorcan_visitor

Thank you for making that interesting point WAYT. I have no idea how cards work and operator error seems a possible explanation in light of what you've said.
In these two particular instances, I was stood at the till with the card in my hand so they didn't ask how I was paying since it was self evident. If I am ever asked how I intend paying, it's always been 'cash or card' and I've never been asked to specify what type of card. That said, if there is scope for operator error then that is a failing of FairFX's card; the card surely needs to be user friendly (to both the cashier and customer) and not open to any possible misinterpretation that then results in the card being refused. I speak Spanish so there were definitely no language 'issues' involved.
I only want a card that I can rely on and can reasonably expect to be accepted where it's use is advertised. (Obviously barring any extraordinary circumstances such as phone lines being down or system breakdowns - these were not factors here.)

WAYT

Menorcan_visitor wrote: »

Thank you for making that interesting point WAYT. I have no idea how cards work and operator error seems a possible explanation in light of what you've said.
In these two particular instances, I was stood at the till with the card in my hand so they didn't ask how I was paying since it was self evident. If I am ever asked how I intend paying, it's always been 'cash or card' and I've never been asked to specify what type of card. That said, if there is scope for operator error then that is a failing of FairFX's card; the card surely needs to be user friendly (to both the cashier and customer) and not open to any possible misinterpretation that then results in the card being refused. I speak Spanish so there were definitely no language 'issues' involved.
I only want a card that I can rely on and can reasonably expect to be accepted where it's use is advertised. (Obviously barring any extraordinary circumstances such as phone lines being down or system breakdowns - these were not factors here.)

In Spain and Portugal, we are always asked Credit or Debit in supermarkets. So if they put it through as Debit(as would be expected), it could be the reason for the fail. Certainly not your fault nor the fault of the shop worker. Just an anomaly that I remember from the past.
I used the FairFx Anywhere card whilst travelling in the past and vaguely remember reading about this.
I should add that this is possibly not limited to Fairfx, but to Prepaid Mastercards in general.

Menorcan_visitor

A point well made WYAT - thank you.

lambosx150

Hi all,

some of you may remember me from several months ago when I asked about the various cards to take to America where I was staying for 3 months.
After advice given I made the informed choice of the FairFX and Revolut card.
I did experience the problem of vendors assuming the card to be a debit card instead of being treated as a credit card.As soon as I told them this they altered their process and both my cards worked fine.
I had no problems with either card and even topped up getting a better rate whilst there.
I can recommend both cards as they did what I needed them to.

I would like to thank those who gave independent advice here freely for me to make my own decision on what cards were suitable for my needs.

I will be going to Spain in September for 9months and will certainly be taking both cards and topping up whilst there.

Thank you