Problems with new FairFX currency cards

FlossieH

Is anyone else having problems with the new FairFX system? The balance from my old currency card that they cancelled because of the new system has not been transferred and the system hangs every time I try to contact the LiveChat. It's now not allowing me to enter the old app to see the balance (which I know is approximately Euros190) and the new app is showing a zero balance. Now not sure how to get my money back? I've decided not to add any more money for the moment until my balance shows up correctly.

washedupandout

Hi been having massive problems since end of last year. Both my sister and I received emails telling us we needed to renew our cards and install the new app.

My sister managed to login and apply for the new card which she duly received, but then could not activate.

I have never been able to sign in and have gone viral sending emails and trying to login all to no avail whatsoever. Just after Christmas. I got a reply which told me how my sister could activate her card which she did eventually do obviously not used it yet. However I am dealing with their chat service now, which is very sketchy and full of  apologies and reasons why things are not working. They have transferred my balance to my new card. I have supposedly been sent a new card which is yet to arrive but I am still having login problems which they have admitted they can now see but don’t know why and have passed it on  elsewhere, so God knows how long this is all going to take   

DerektheDonkey

I was able to install and access the new app and the balances transferred correctly.

I did have problems with the new card however, not receiving it, and after 2 hours waiting on live chat was told to cancel the virtual card and reorder a further new card. It arrived within 2 days and is now active. 

eDicky

These days it's really pointless to be using cards such as FairFX with their various costs, hassle and technical problems, when there are so many options for travel that are fee-free, provided by real banks and as simple to use overseas as in UK.

In fact any UK bank debit or credit card, even with non-sterling usage fees, is unlikely to cost much more and perhaps less than this type of prepaid currency card.

So my advice to those having such problems is to concentrate on redeeming any funds with FairFX and then bin the card, as I did about ten years ago. See the MSE advice for best travel spending options:

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

thegreenone

eDicky said:

These days it's really pointless to be using cards such as FairFX with their various costs, hassle and technical problems, when there are so many options for travel that are fee-free, provided by real banks and as simple to use overseas as in UK.

In fact any UK bank debit or credit card, even with non-sterling usage fees, is unlikely to cost much more and perhaps less than this type of prepaid currency card.

So my advice to those having such problems is to concentrate on redeeming any funds with FairFX and then bin the card, as I did about ten years ago. See the MSE advice for best travel spending options:

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

I prefer to keep my overseas spending completely separate from my UK current account/debit card, so use a FairFX card. I also have the advantage of loading it every month with a small sum for future holidays.  Yes, I could put this in an interest-bearing account but I chose this way as it works best for me.

If scammers get hold of your debit card details abroad, you're stuffed and have a far bigger problem than shutting down a simple currency card.

I applied for a new card after realising mine had expired.  Nothing came so I did CHAT with Fairfax.  They cancelled the card and issued a new one.  A change of PIN but no other problems.  On receipt, I used it in a local Cash Machine in the UK and it then worked fine abroad.

eDicky

thegreenone said:

eDicky said:

These days it's really pointless to be using cards such as FairFX with their various costs, hassle and technical problems, when there are so many options for travel that are fee-free, provided by real banks and as simple to use overseas as in UK.

In fact any UK bank debit or credit card, even with non-sterling usage fees, is unlikely to cost much more and perhaps less than this type of prepaid currency card.

So my advice to those having such problems is to concentrate on redeeming any funds with FairFX and then bin the card, as I did about ten years ago. See the MSE advice for best travel spending options:

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

I prefer to keep my overseas spending completely separate from my UK current account/debit card, so use a FairFX card. I also have the advantage of loading it every month with a small sum for future holidays.  Yes, I could put this in an interest-bearing onlunt but I chose this way as it works best for me.

If scammers get hold of your debit card details abroad, you're stuffed and have a far bigger problem than shutting down a simple currency card.

I applied for a new card after realising mine had expired.  Nothing came so I did CHAT with Fairfax.  They cancelled the card and issued a new one.  A change of PIN but no other problems.  On receipt, I used it in a local Cash Machine in the UK and it then worked fine abroad.

Your preference makes no sense when you could follow the same course of putting some money away monthly on an account to use for travel, but completely fee-free, for example with Starling Bank, which would even pay you interest meanwhile. As for being stuffed if your card is compromised, would you be reckless enough to travel with only a single source of funds..?

Indout96

We scrapped Fair FX when they took the balances on my wifes card (US $) in charges as we had not used the card for over 18 months - this was in Covid so they knew no-one could travel.

If you have a Chase account you can set up another account in the app and use that just for holiday spending, they will give you 4.1% interest on the savings pot part and 1% interest when you transfer it to the spending pot. it also gives you bank exchange rate and no exchange charges. You can cancel the card in app if you lose it or it is stolen and as there are no O/D a thief could only spend what was actually in the spending pot as with FairfX
we just move £100 at a time to the spending pot. It works in any country via Mastercard network.

Barkin

I think the inactivity fee only kicks in if there's a balance on the card and it expires. 
I've always been notified in advance of that happening, and renewed my card before then. 

I use a Starling debit card nowadays for all of my spending abroad, but I've had a Fairfx card for years and always take it with me as a backup, just in case, and I've never paid a penny in fees/charges for it. 

BBtwister

I've been trying to get hold of them over the last few days merely to change my registered email address. When they finally answered my email, they gave me a phone number which nobody ever answers. I'm going to try to get my money out (wish me luck!).

thegreenone

eDicky said:

thegreenone said:

eDicky said:

These days it's really pointless to be using cards such as FairFX with their various costs, hassle and technical problems, when there are so many options for travel that are fee-free, provided by real banks and as simple to use overseas as in UK.

In fact any UK bank debit or credit card, even with non-sterling usage fees, is unlikely to cost much more and perhaps less than this type of prepaid currency card.

So my advice to those having such problems is to concentrate on redeeming any funds with FairFX and then bin the card, as I did about ten years ago. See the MSE advice for best travel spending options:

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

I prefer to keep my overseas spending completely separate from my UK current account/debit card, so use a FairFX card. I also have the advantage of loading it every month with a small sum for future holidays.  Yes, I could put this in an interest-bearing onlunt but I chose this way as it works best for me.

If scammers get hold of your debit card details abroad, you're stuffed and have a far bigger problem than shutting down a simple currency card.

I applied for a new card after realising mine had expired.  Nothing came so I did CHAT with Fairfax.  They cancelled the card and issued a new one.  A change of PIN but no other problems.  On receipt, I used it in a local Cash Machine in the UK and it then worked fine abroad.

Your preference makes no sense when you could follow the same course of putting some money away monthly on an account to use for travel, but completely fee-free, for example with Starling Bank, which would even pay you interest meanwhile. As for being stuffed if your card is compromised, would you be reckless enough to travel with only a single source of funds..?

My preference is exactly that.  MY preference as to how I run my finances. This thread is about the OP having problems with his FairFX account and they did not ask for other options or opinions.

And no, of course I wouldn't go away without any other financial back up.  I take, but do not use my debit and credit cards, as does my husband who also takes his company credit card as a fifth option.  Thankfully, never needed.

twiglet789

I am having problems with Fairfx and was wondering if anyone knows how I can get in touch with them other than:-

• countless emails
• live chat is not working and
• ringing their complaints line

I am due to travel abroad in 2 weeks and for some reason they haven't processed a refund from earlier this month and they've kept a large sum of dollars on 'pending' (for over 3 months so I have just discovered) in my account that I cannot access. I have been in touch with the company who processed the refund and placed a hold on my account for onboard charges and they cannot understand why the money has not been released by the card company as they say the bill was settled using this Fairfx card.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. 
I just want to take my money out and access the refund/pending charges cash and close this card down.