which way to spend on holiday????

crystal_clear

Ok I am off to mallorca next week and do not have either of the credit cards you all keep disgussing . PLEASE in plain English what is my best option to spend there so i dont get charges galor I have several types of cards visa /debit/ and mastercard and cash..... do i buy currency here do i take traveller cheques and if so sterling or euro and is so where is best place???(i fly out of Birmingham early on wed morning So please allow for Bank holiday if suggesting a delivery service to my home or airport pickup opening times!!! so think travelex may be closed at airport ?
Also anyone know if it cheaper to hire car this end or in Mallorca ??
Any help would be great :cool: :A

grumbler

crystal_clear wrote:

...i fly out of Birmingham early on wed morning ... so think travelex may be closed at airport ?

Location: Birmingham International Airport
Directions: Terminal 1, ground Floor, Opposite check in desks 1-4 at base of escalator

Mon Tue Wed Thr Fri Sat Sun
05:00 05:00 05:00 05:00 05:00 05:00 05:00
21:00 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:00

crystal_clear

Thanks Grumbler but as I suspected travelex will be closed by the time i arrive and not open before i depart . So i still have the same problem GBP. Euros TC debit cards or visa / mastercards.
Can anyone advise me on best methods to be used ??

Debt_Free_Chick

crystal_clear wrote:

Thanks Grumbler but as I suspected travelex will be closed by the time i arrive and not open before i depart . So i still have the same problem GBP. Euros TC debit cards or visa / mastercards.
Can anyone advise me on best methods to be used ??

If you want to take cash - and you'll need to be very security conscious - then just go to the Post Office and buy Euros. Otherwise, buy TCs.

It sounds like you have a few days to do either

fifeken

Although you might want to get a small amount of Euro's before you go, I find it best to use an ATM in your destination airport or resort for all other requirements. Always take the maximum amount allowed at each transaction to minimise charges.

trisha

I buy currency from Travelex online http://www.travelex.co.uk/
I pay with my debit card so as not to get charged interest, you choose which airport to pick it up from. Also you should get a better rate buying online rather than at the airport when you go.

If you take cash, do be careful, wear a money belt while travelling and put it in the hotel safe when you get there.

Rafter

As long as you make a fairly decent size withdrawl say £100 equivalent of E100 plus, using a debit card (particularly a maestro one) in a maestro branded maching at the airport when you arrive will probably work out cheaper than most bureau de change. You pay a £1.50 charge or something, but the exchange rate is much better so 1.5% is a small price to pay.

Where this goes wrong is if you withdraw a small amount. £1.50 on a £10 withdrawl is 15%. Same issue with UK charging cash machines.

Out shopping a debit card will again be better since there is usually a 2.75% fee on most credit cards - but again the exchange rate will be much better.

Particularly in Spain, watch for companies trying to bill you in £. They apply a dreadful exchange rate and this is just a con by the spanish banks to increase their profits and avoid paying fees to Visa/Mastercard for international transactions.

Have a great holiday.

R.