Travel Credit Cards

kah22

I've just finished reading Martin's: Travel Credit Cards and very good sense it makes.
I'm going on a last minute weekend break to Prague, leaving tomorrow back Sunday, work Monday:mad:

Anyway I've only been able to get a small amount of Koruna So will probably have to use my credit card at some stage. I have two cards Bank of Ireland and M&S (the former adding 2.75 percent the latter 2.99 percent to purchases. Would it make a difference if I credited my own account with a few hundred pounds, could I avoid charges that way? Or would I be effectively turning a credit card into a debit card

Candyapple

You'll still be charged 2.75 / 2.99% whatever card you use even if you pre-loaded your accounts. Suck up the charges this time round and make sure you are better prepared in future.

kah22

Candyapple wrote: »

You'll still be charged 2.75 / 2.99% whatever card you use even if you pre-loaded your accounts. Suck up the charges this time round and make sure you are better prepared in future.

Ah well.

Note so self:get a travel card on return home

Biggles

The only difference when it comes to withdrawing cash is that the M&S card will charge you 2.99% foreign exchange fee plus 2.99% (min £3) handling fee, but the standard BoI card will only charge 2.75% plus 2.5% (min £3).

For purchases, it's just the straight 2.99% or 2.75% addition, which is probably a lot less than you paid to get your cash here in the UK.

kah22

Biggles wrote: »

The only difference when it comes to withdrawing cash is that the M&S card will charge you 2.99% foreign exchange fee plus 2.99% (min £3) handling fee, but the standard BoI card will only charge 2.75% plus 2.5% (min £3).

For purchases, it's just the straight 2.99% or 2.75% addition, which is probably a lot less than you paid to get your cash here in the UK.

I'd never dream of taking money out on my credit card. Never.
You make an interesting point regarding the purchases and the charges made here in NI to get hold of foreign currency