We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Best way to gift travel money (Euros)?

Options
I'm hoping someone can give me some advice. My daughter and son in law are going on holiday to Tenerife in a couple of weeks, and I want to give them about £500 spending money. I'm wondering what is the best way to do this with regards to exchange rates, and security. The three options I'm looking at are:
  1. Give them the money in £ sterling, so they can exchange it when they are abroad
  2. Change the money for euros for them to take with them
  3. Get them a pre-loaded credit card to use abroad for purchases

Many thanks in advance

Comments

  • blindman
    blindman Posts: 5,673 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 12 August 2018 at 5:05PM
    I'm hoping someone can give me some advice. My daughter and son in law are going on holiday to Tenerife in a couple of weeks, and I want to give them about £500 spending money. I'm wondering what is the best way to do this with regards to exchange rates, and security. The three options I'm looking at are:
    1. Give them the money in £ sterling, so they can exchange it when they are abroad
    2. Change the money for euros for them to take with them
    3. Get them a pre-loaded credit card to use abroad for purchases

    Many thanks in advance

    I normally do 1.

    Then they can spend it how they wish.

    (Holiday or post holiday)

    Hopefully they have a MSE approved credit card or some other good card.
  • eDicky
    eDicky Posts: 6,835 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    For best value, tell them to open a Starling Bank account each on the smartphone app, which gives the ideal exchange rate with zero fees using the debit card for overseas purchases and withdrawals. Then just send the money to their accounts. Or Metro bank (for Europe only).

    Second best - Monzo, Loot.io or Revolut.

    Worst - 'preloaded' cards or cash exchange.
    Evolution, not revolution
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.9K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.9K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.9K Life & Family
  • 257.2K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.