Not been abroad for 20 years

NoodleDoodleMan

Lots of helpful people hereabouts - don't hesitate to come back for further guidance if you need more specifics.

 

Pollycat

SUPERGIRL2020 said:

Mark_d said:

To get cheap flights I tend to book long in advance.  Heathrow is my closes airport so I tend to use that, rather than spending a lot of money on train fares to get to Stansted or Gatwick.

For spending money I tend to withdraw some cash from an ATM abroad (using Kroo card) but use credit card (Halifax Clarity) for purchases wherever possible.

Where possible I take all my clothes in a backpack, which fits under the seat in front of me on the plane.  At airport security I need to take out tablet computer and plastic bag with my tube of toothpaste...but otherwise travelling with just a backpack is very easy.

I'll be flying from Leeds or Manchester as those are my nearest airports. Ive bought a cheap cabin suitcase. I was thinking of taking some cash out at the cash machine here first and exchanging it for euros and taking my debit card with me. I'm really nervous lol   

Check the dimensions of that case carefully against the dimensions quoted by whichever airline you are thinking of flying with.
You may find you will still have to pay to take it in the cabin.
Best not to be caught out with extra costs at the airport.

NoodleDoodleMan

You won't need a load of Euros if your debit card does not involve a fee when using it to pay for goods and services in the hotel, restaurants and bars - always choose to pay in Euros, the Without Conversion option and it'll effectively be the same as settling up in readies. 

Do you mind telling us which bank issued your debit card - then the usual suspects here can advise if it's "user friendly" (as described above) or not ?

Chase is arguably the top card - easy to apply for via a smartphone etc.

SUPERGIRL2020

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Do you mind telling us which bank issued your debit card 

My debit card is Barclays 

jimi_man

I wouldn’t use that abroad. Get a Chase, Monzo or Revolut. Any of those are better than your Barclays debit card. 

J_B

SUPERGIRL2020 said:

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Do you mind telling us which bank issued your debit card 

My debit card is Barclays 

If you're OK with getting a credit card, then a "Barclaycard Rewards" visa credit card may be OK for you as you can also draw out cash from an ATM without any extra fees

NoodleDoodleMan

J_B said:

SUPERGIRL2020 said:

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Do you mind telling us which bank issued your debit card 

My debit card is Barclays 

If you're OK with getting a credit card, then a "Barclaycard Rewards" visa credit card may be OK for you as you can also draw out cash from an ATM without any extra fees

It's a very good card for travel, however there is a downside to be aware of -  remember that you need to settle the full balance due after the next monthly statement is published in order to avoid fees for cash withdrawals.

That includes any goods and services you've used the card for, not just cash withdrawals.

There is a workaround - if you can transfer money by bank transfer online from your UK current account using an iPhone or tablet - you can withdraw cash at a foreign ATM, wait until the amount taken in Euros is converted to Sterling by Barclays (24 hours ?) and transfer that amount to your Barclaycard Reward credit card - effectively reducing your balance to zero - assuming you only use the card for cash withdrawals.

In truth, you'd be much better off using one of the cards recommended above and settling bills in bars etc.there and then.

You won't need a wad of readies in Spain.

zagfles

NoodleDoodleMan said:

J_B said:

SUPERGIRL2020 said:

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Do you mind telling us which bank issued your debit card 

My debit card is Barclays 

If you're OK with getting a credit card, then a "Barclaycard Rewards" visa credit card may be OK for you as you can also draw out cash from an ATM without any extra fees

It's a very good card for travel, however there is a downside to be aware of -  remember that you need to settle the full balance due after the next monthly statement is published in order to avoid fees for cash withdrawals.

That includes any goods and services you've used the card for, not just cash withdrawals.

There is a workaround - if you can transfer money by bank transfer online from your UK current account using an iPhone or tablet - you can withdraw cash at a foreign ATM, wait until the amount taken in Euros is converted to Sterling by Barclays (24 hours ?) and transfer that amount to your Barclaycard Reward credit card - effectively reducing your balance to zero - assuming you only use the card for cash withdrawals.

In truth, you'd be much better off using one of the cards recommended above and settling bills in bars etc.there and then.

You won't need a wad of readies in Spain.

You're confusing the BC Rewards cards with cards like the Halifax Clarity. 
The BC Rewards card treats ATM withdrawals like purchases. There is no need whatsoever to pay off ATM withdrawals soon after, just pay the monthly statement in full by the due date as usual. 

SUPERGIRL2020

jimi_man said:

I wouldn’t use that abroad. Get a Chase, Monzo or Revolut. Any of those are better than your Barclays debit card. 

Never heard of of those are they free to get and can I just apply online?

SUPERGIRL2020

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Lots of helpful people hereabouts - don't hesitate to come back for further guidance if you need more specifics.

 

Thanks! 

I want to take some euros with me as well as a card where is the best place to change money and best rates?