Last minute currency

NiftyDigits

eDicky wrote: »

If I'm not mistaken, the Santander 123 credit card has no overseas fees until the end of the year.

1|2|3 Credit Card: You will benefit from 0% non-sterling transaction fees on purchases and cash withdrawals until 31 December 2016.

Problem solved?

thegreatpoobarr

Sorry, my mistake. It's a 123 debit card. I want aware there was a credit variant, hence my confusion.

NiftyDigits

thegreatpoobarr wrote: »

Available to us are...

Santander - 123, current account, and credit card
M&S credit card
Mint credit card

The worst cards in the world for travel..

Clear any balance from your 123 CC.

You can withdraw perhaps US$390 from an ATM on arrival. There may be a 3% ATM withdrawal charge and there will be interest unless you send £300 to your CC account as soon as the withdrawal appears on your online account.
Pay everything else with the CC. Cash is rarely needed. Save it for tips and for places that take cash only.
You can leave the purchases for your normal direct debit payment.

Otherwise, you can put a few hundred dollars on a Travelex Cash Passport. Put an odd amount on it, as most ATM charge a withdrawal fee. So if you think you'll need US$400 in cash, put US$405 on to the card so that you can withdraw a clear US$400. if you want to split it into two cash withdrawals, then put a bit more on to cover ATM withdrawal fees.
You lose around 2% off the full exchange rate, but that isn't too bad overall.. Don't use it for purchases, use the Santander 123 CC.

NiftyDigits

thegreatpoobarr wrote: »

Sorry, my mistake. It's a 123 debit card. I want aware there was a credit variant, hence my confusion.

Oh......


........

thegreatpoobarr

Yeah, I know. Believe me, I'm gutted.

I'll arrange to pick up our travelex card and cash in the morning. Thanks so much for all your help!