Travel money cards

cyclops365

Hi all. 

I'm heading away to Greece in 3 months time and since I don't travel often, I don't want to buy too many Euros for the trip, and I'm looking at getting a Travelex money card for my spending abroad. 

My question is, when I get home, and I able to reclaim the balance back into my bank account? I've emailed them but they say they'll only respond when I've got the card, which is a bit strange as it's a general query. 

Thanks in advance for your advice.

cyclops365

Also do they charge if I can reclaim the balance?

daveyjp

Since the advent of numerous banks which offer fee free foreign currency expenditure on both debit and credit cards Travel money cards are largely an expensive and redundant solution for Forex spend.

Options below:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/

inspectorperez

Personally, based on my own personal experience with Travelex, I would give them a wide berth!

Website was a nightmare, the organisation was hacked by Ransomeware attack and I lost money when I was eventually able to have my balance repaid at nearest airport. Never again.

I now use a Monzo card which allows transactions in local currency, always at best exchange rates and no fee.

Doshwaster

I'd look at Chase, Monzo or Starling etc which are proper bank accounts but which are fee-free abroad.  Any money left on them after your trip can be transferred back to your main account for free, spent in UK shops or just kept for next time.  The old stye travel cards like TravelEx and Caxton had their uses for a while but now don't make much sense either in terms of charges or features.

I use Starling as my travel card but as I go abroad several times a month and I just use it as a holiday savings account.

NoodleDoodleMan

As above - go for a debit card that incurs no fees, either at ATMs or for goods and services.

With a recommended credit card as back up.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/

eDicky

cyclops365 said:

I don't want to buy too many Euros for the trip,

Then avoid cards such as Travelex. With the fee-free debit cards mentioned above your money remains as GBP until conversion at the time of transaction.