Paris Trip - To take cash or credit card?

Jlawson118

Me and my girlfriend are going to Paris for new years, and we got into a little bit of an argument the other night about what we're doing about money.

I prefer to use my credit card out there (Halifax Clarity) because I like to keep track of my spending on my statements opposed to cash. And come November I'm still considering whether or not to upgrade my basic AMEX rewards to the Gold Rewards card which also gives double points on foreign transactions (And I'll be wanting to spend on it to get the 20,000 bonus points) but I also know there will be transaction fees on that opposed to the Clarity card.

I went to Germany and Switzerland in May and paid for everything on my card, (apart from one cash withdrawal in Switzerland because I wanted a Swiss Frank coin to keep, I never used any cash. It's just easier really, say I used cash, I end up with a load of Euros and Cents when I come home and I've lost out on exchanging them back. Whereas a simple spend on a card allows for me to pay it off to the exact pence.

My girlfriend on the other hand is talking about how she'd prefer us to take cash. She doesn't like the fact that the exchange rate changes daily and she'd rather exchange cash for a set amount. I just don't like carrying cash around, I rarely even do it at home, and I get what she is talking about over the exchange rate, because one day it'll be good, another it might be bad whereas with cash it's a set amount.

She is looking at upgrading her Yorkshire Bank credit card to the B Credit Card which I understand has free transactions abroad, though I still don't think she'd use it abroad if she does. We were almost going to Orlando next year and she was pretty much telling me to take travellers cheques and cash. I told her I'd rather use my card..although I don't think that trip is happening now due to other reasons.

Just trying to work out what the best options would be?

eDicky

The Clarity card is, of course, the best option. Unless your girlfriend is able to predict the timing to buy cash at the best rate...?

maman

Id take both.


As you have a card that won't charge for transactions that's fine.


A small amount of cash is useful for the odd coffee, drink, something from a market stall.


I'd use the card for meals and entrance fees and that sort of thing.


Much like I do at home really.

Doshwaster

eDicky wrote: »

The Clarity card is, of course, the best option. Unless your girlfriend is able to predict the timing to buy cash at the best rate...?

Just be very, very wary of Dynamic Currency Conversion. I try to be very careful but I still get occasionally caught by it.

Jlawson118

Doshwaster wrote: »

Just be very, very wary of Dynamic Currency Conversion. I try to be very careful but I still get occasionally caught by it.

Is that where you usually get the options to pay in Pound Sterling or Euros? If so then it is cheaper to pay in Euros.

Or is it something else?

Doshwaster

Jlawson118 wrote: »

Is that where you usually get the options to pay in Pound Sterling or Euros? If so then it is cheaper to pay in Euros.

Or is it something else?

Yes, you should always pay in Euros (or whatever the local currency is) but some merchants are very sneaky. Sometimes you don't notice that they have put the transaction through in pounds until after you have the left shop or restaurant.

Some ATMs can be very confusing too and are worded to lead you to accept the transaction in Sterling. You'll get a message something like "Press here to get a guaranteed exchange rate". The rate will be guaranteed all right - just guaranteed to be bad!

theonlywayisup

We use a mix of Clarity, Caxton preloaded (for cash withdrawals) and cash itself.

Jlawson118

Doshwaster wrote: »

Yes, you should always pay in Euros (or whatever the local currency is) but some merchants are very sneaky. Sometimes you don't notice that they have put the transaction through in pounds until after you have the left shop or restaurant.

Some ATMs can be very confusing too and are worded to lead you to accept the transaction in Sterling. You'll get a message something like "Press here to get a guaranteed exchange rate". The rate will be guaranteed all right - just guaranteed to be bad!

Yah I can remember being taught that earlier this year. It's cheeky that merchants do this though. But in Switzerland I'm sure I saved about £5 - £10 or something on a highway permit by paying in Franks :beer:

Jlawson118

theonlywayisup wrote: »

We use a mix of Clarity, Caxton preloaded (for cash withdrawals) and cash itself.

I have a Metro Bank account that I use for travelling, that's free cash withdrawals too Last time I went away, my friend transferred me the money over and we withdrew it

leylandsunaddict

We use a Clarity. We only ever take enough cash to see us through a day and after that it's either ATM withdrawals or purchases using the card. No way would we be travelling carrying lot's of cash. Unless you're only talking a few hundred it's quite likely to exceed the cash limit on your travel insurance anyway.

Voyager2002

Your approach is the most economical, although there may be occasions when only cash will do. And if your SO feels she wants to have some cash with her, that is fine as well. Almost certainly the best way to obtain cash is from an ATM in the country you are visiting, perhaps in the airport as soon as you arrive.