Travelling to Thailand

Sam1903

Hi
Can anyone advise on the best way for my 18 year old daughter to take currency to Thailand. Shes away for a month so i don't want her taking all cash but have been advised that you cant get a prepaid card with Baht on.
It was suggested a Halifax clarity card but as this is a credit card i'm not keen as it looked like she would then have interest fees etc to pay and as she has never had credit don't know if she would be accepted.
She will then be home for 3 weeks before travelling around Europe for a month so trying to sort both out now. Is there anything that would be suitable for both ? If not which 2 would you suggest.
First time away on her own without mum and dad so I am seriously stressing.

Ganga

Could you not take out a Halifax Clarity card in your name and have your daughter as a second card holder?you could pay off the card each month so that way you will pay no interest and it is agreat card to use abroad as they do not charge in currency exchange fees.

NiftyDigits

Best for Thailand is Halifax Clarity and Creation Everyday.

Best for Europe is the above and/or Metro Bank debit/credit or Monzo

eDicky

There's no need for any stress, Thailand is swarming with young travelers, problems are no more common than in Britain.

If your daughter wants to try applying for and using a travel credit card such as Halifax Clarity or Creation Everyday, fine, but the credit limit for a young person may not be worthwhile on its own. So in addition, or instead, prepaid cards are a simpler solution. There's no need to be able to hold Thai baht, pounds are loaded and converted when the card is used. Never rely on a single card, she should have at least two, in case of failure, loss etc.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/prepaid-travel-cards

https://loot.io/

https://uk.virginmoney.com/virgin/current-account/essential-current-account.jsp

Note that ATMs in Thailand charge about £5 per withdrawal, so it's best to take out the maximum at a time. The prepaid cards with no fees tend to impose withdrawal limits. Best rates for cash are at exchange shops in Thailand, not UK, beginning with those downstairs by the airport rail station on arrival (not bank booths).

Voyager2002

Thailand is just about the only country in the world where carrying cash makes sense: excellent money changers, while the ATM fees are excessive. Even if she uses a card (prepaid or Halifax) she will probably be withdrawing large amounts in order to cut down the number of those hefty fees that she pays. So get her a really good money belt, and investigate ways of insuring the cash.

NiftyDigits

Voyager2002 wrote: »

Thailand is just about the only country in the world where carrying cash makes sense: excellent money changers, while the ATM fees are excessive. Even if she uses a card (prepaid or Halifax) she will probably be withdrawing large amounts in order to cut down the number of those hefty fees that she pays. So get her a really good money belt, and investigate ways of insuring the cash.

Not quite right. No fees if she uses CC for a cash advance over the counter in certain banks. Of course some banks will try to scam you regardless. Just move on to the next one.

newuser86

I have just returned from Thailand.
At all the major airports you can exchange major currencies to Baht (approx 40.5-42 baht to £) and in hotels (38-40 baht to £), as long as she is staying in the main areas she will have no issue with changing money

I used my Halifax Clarity card once to withdraw 8000 Baht and was charged a 220 Baht fee (2.75%) but the rate was almost exact. Unsure how much interest i will pay as just arrived home today but cant imagine it will be much

NiftyDigits

newuser86 wrote: »

I have just returned from Thailand.
At all the major airports you can exchange major currencies to Baht (approx 40.5-42 baht to £) and in hotels (38-40 baht to £), as long as she is staying in the main areas she will have no issue with changing money

I used my Halifax Clarity card once to withdraw 8000 Baht and was charged a 220 Baht fee (2.75%) but the rate was almost exact. Unsure how much interest i will pay as just arrived home today but cant imagine it will be much

You've not been paying attention..... You did just about everything wrong in relation to money saving.

Sam1903

eDicky wrote: »

There's no need for any stress, Thailand is swarming with young travelers, problems are no more common than in Britain.

If your daughter wants to try applying for and using a travel credit card such as Halifax Clarity or Creation Everyday, fine, but the credit limit for a young person may not be worthwhile on its own. So in addition, or instead, prepaid cards are a simpler solution. There's no need to be able to hold Thai baht, pounds are loaded and converted when the card is used. Never rely on a single card, she should have at least two, in case of failure, loss etc.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/prepaid-travel-cards

https://loot.io/

https://uk.virginmoney.com/virgin/current-account/essential-current-account.jsp

Note that ATMs in Thailand charge about £5 per withdrawal, so it's best to take out the maximum at a time. The prepaid cards with no fees tend to impose withdrawal limits. Best rates for cash are at exchange shops in Thailand, not UK, beginning with those downstairs by the airport rail station on arrival (not bank booths).

Thanks we have an appointment to open the virgin essential account tomorrow as had already set that up as we have that account for when we travel. So looking for a second card will have a look at your suggestions.