Travel money cards

shazk85

So going to Spain soon but my debit and credit card charges fees to use abroad so I'm looking for a card i can put Euros on and use while abroad but then also use in UK to use up any unspent Euros.
Have seen Wise anyone used this before?

daveyjp

Far easier and cheaper to have credit and debit cards which don't charge fees for foreign use.

shazk85

daveyjp said:

Far easier and cheaper to have credit and debit cards which don't charge fees for foreign use.

Thanks unfortunately I don't have this option as I cant have credit checks done due to moving and mortgage applications

Marmaduke123

Have a look at the Currensea card. It works differently to most travel cards and you can't end up with an unused credit balance

eDicky

shazk85 said:

a card i can put Euros on

Best to avoid that kind of card : unfavorable exchange rate, fees, more to exchange back unused euros.

Use a card that's fee-free and converts your GBP when you use it. There are several, see the MSE advice articles. For example Starling Bank, no credit check if you don't ask for overdraft. Wise can certainly be used. Choose more than one.

Voyager2002

shazk85 said:

daveyjp said:

Far easier and cheaper to have credit and debit cards which don't charge fees for foreign use.

Thanks unfortunately I don't have this option as I cant have credit checks done due to moving and mortgage applications

Get yourself the Curve card. No credit checks since you don't borrow: you link it to your existing cards and use it to spend money in Euro, with the equivalent sterling amount (at Mastercard exchange rates) being charges to your credit or debit card.

NoodleDoodleMan

Best deal for Spain is a Santander UK Everyday Current Account - and use it at Santander branded ATMs in your holiay location.

No fees invoved when taking currency.

https://www.santander.co.uk/personal/current-accounts/everyday-current-account

No strings attached when opening this account either. No Direct Debits needed or minimum monthly funding requirement.

Santander branches and ATMs in just about every popular resort.

You can also use it fee free at most restaurants and bars etc........just ensure you elect to settle in Euros - without conversion. Chosing conversion to GBP means unfavourable exchange rates.

There is an attractive switch offer on at the moment as well.

eDicky

NoodleDoodleMan said:

You can also use it fee free at most restaurants and bars etc........

Santander debit card has no fee or rate markup for non-sterling purchases..?

flaneurs_lobster

Off to Europe in a couple of weeks and planning on using a Revolut account (& card). 

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/prepaid-travel-cards/#revolut

NoodleDoodleMan

eDicky said:

NoodleDoodleMan said:

You can also use it fee free at most restaurants and bars etc........

Santander debit card has no fee or rate markup for non-sterling purchases..?

My bad - 2.95%

I always use our Santander Zero card to avoid fees.

eDicky

NoodleDoodleMan said:

eDicky said:

NoodleDoodleMan said:

You can also use it fee free at most restaurants and bars etc........

Santander debit card has no fee or rate markup for non-sterling purchases..?

My bad - 2.95%

I always use our Santander Zero card to avoid fees.

Ok, that's a relief, you had me wondering why I've never used my Santander debit card all these years..!

Perhaps not quite the best deal for Spain then, if you need to find a Santander ATM, withdraw cash with it, then carry that around including the coins you get as change from spending it. Better the fee-free plastic products, such as your Zero.