Best Prepaid Travel Card for our Circumstances?

eDicky

charlie_uk_yes wrote: »

So with all that said and done, wouldn't it just be cheaper to make larger and less frequent withdrawals using my UK current account card or would that be even worse than the revolut!?

Not if whatever bank card it is that you have charges typical overseas fees. All non-Thai cards are charged Bt.200 (currently £4.33) per withdrawal by Thai ATMs, so you can lessen the cost by withdrawing maximum amount(s), or there's a Citibank at the corner of Asoke/Sukhumvit whose ATM does not charge, if you happen to be in the area.

Revolut will give you the interbank rate (slightly off on weekends) in other countries, so it's probably still the best prepaid choice. Consider the N&P Gold current account whose VISA card has no charges worldwide. Having at least three different suitable cards would be wise for such a trip.

eDicky

FunTime wrote: »

If you have problem getting a CC, the Virgin basic account as aforementioned.

Do you have any experience of the Virgin Essential VISA card? It has charges at least for ATM withdrawals, no? Someone who used and recommended it has deleted all his posts, I notice.

FunTime

eDicky wrote: »

Do you have any experience of the Virgin Essential VISA card? It has charges at least for ATM withdrawals, no? Someone who used and recommended it has deleted all his posts, I notice.

I don't think they deleted posts because of problems with the card. I would guess because of personal issues.
My card hasn't yet arrived.

FunTime

eDicky wrote: »

Not if whatever bank card it is that you have charges typical overseas fees. All non-Thai cards are charged Bt.200 (currently £4.33) per withdrawal by Thai ATMs, so you can lessen the cost by withdrawing maximum amount(s), or there's a Citibank at the corner of Asoke/Sukhumvit whose ATM does not charge, if you happen to be in the area.

Revolut will give you the interbank rate (slightly off on weekends) in other countries, so it's probably still the best prepaid choice. Consider the N&P Gold current account whose VISA card has no charges worldwide. Having at least three different suitable cards would be wise for such a trip.

Doesn't appear to support all currencies, so not sure as to what rate will be offered for the Dong, for instance.

eDicky

FunTime wrote: »

Doesn't appear to support all currencies, so not sure as to what rate will be offered for the Dong, for instance.

VND is one of the 90+ currencies supported by Revolut, straight interbank rates (on weekdays).

FunTime

eDicky wrote: »

VND is one of the 90+ currencies supported by Revolut, straight interbank rates (on weekdays).

I took a look at the application. Perhaps it escaped me.
If that is the case, it is fine for all but Thailand.

eDicky

FunTime wrote: »

I took a look at the application. Perhaps it escaped me.
If that is the case, it is fine for all but Thailand.

The last time I looked, the Thai baht and the Russian rouble were the only two 'illiquid' currencies for which Revolut is unable to give the straight interbank exchange rate, although it has been reported here that rates for the Australian dollar are sometimes a bit off even on weekdays.

FunTime

All present and correct:

The current list of supported currencies include: AED, ALL, ARS, AUD, AWG, AZN, BBD, BGN, BND, BOB, BRL, BWP, BYR, BZD, CAD, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DKK, DOP, EGP, EUR, GBP, HKD, HNL, HRK, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, ISK, JMD, JPY, KGS, KHR, KRW, KZT, LAK, LKR, MAD, MGA, MKD, MMK, MNT, MUR, MVM, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, SAR, SBD, SCR, SEK, SGD, SOS, SRD, SVC, SYP, THB, TRY, TTD, TVD, TWD, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VEF, VND, XCD, YER, ZAR.

I would still get a Clarity or Everyday card for Thailand and beyond and keep Revolut as a back up.