Best way to take travel money?

ran12

What’s the best travel card to take? I’m traveling to Spain for a week. Our plan was to take a Post Office card along with a small amount of cash but seen mixed reviews on these. 

Clive_Woody

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money/

NoodleDoodleMan

Go with the MSE guide above.

Starling do a joint account and the app can be downloaded on to more than one device, unlike Chase who are only single accounts and one tablet/phone - ours worked flawlessly in Spain recently, as it does in the UK.

Use it to settle up in bars and restaurants or buying goods - always opt to pay in Euros when prompted.

A reliable credit card is also recommended.

jimjames

Halifax Clarity card works great for me. Virgin Money have a good card but it's debit not credit card so I prefer to use Halifax to get the interest free period.

eskbanker

IvanOpinion said:

Clive_Woody said:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money/

It seems OK if you want the money delivered, but it is easier to get cheaper on the high street if you collect.

That article summarises the range of options, only one of which is taking cash, but the linked MSE tool in that section offers a choice of collection or delivery?

RavingMad

Didn't a few people recommend a Santander account for Spain? Free withdrawals from their ATMs?

I use Monzo Flex to pay for purchases and Monzo for cash withdrawals but might look into Santander as we're off to Málaga in a few weeks 

badger09

Starling debit card, Halifax Clarity credit card. I’ve used this combination all over the world.  

Doshwaster

badger09 said:

Starling debit card, Halifax Clarity credit card. I’ve used this combination all over the world.  

Exactly the same combination I have been using for the last few years. Also have a HSBC Global Money card as a backup but I think I've only used it a couple of times.

Final backup is a $100 bill which I must have been carrying around for 5 years.

NoodleDoodleMan

"Didn't a few people recommend a Santander account for Spain? Free withdrawals from their ATMs?"

A standard Santander UK current account debit card gives fee free cash withdrawals at Banco Santander branches (oficinas) located ATMs (cajeros) - an Everyday current account is best, there are no strings attached conditions to maintain the account.

There is generally a branch in any decent size town in Spain and Canaries including the popular resorts.

https://www.bancosantander.es/en/buscador-oficinas-cajeros

Avoid free standing ATMs which are part of the Euro Automatic Cash network - they have an agreement with Banco Santander whereby domestic BS account holders enjoy fee free withdrawals, however this does not include external Santander customers.

 

badger09

badger09 said:

Starling debit card, Halifax Clarity credit card. I’ve used this combination all over the world.  

Actually, we always have some €s, and if spending several weeks in one country would probably withdraw some cash for tips. I still have quite a few HK$ left from frequent visits when my son lived there. 

Indout96

badger09 said:

badger09 said:

Starling debit card, Halifax Clarity credit card. I’ve used this combination all over the world.  

Actually, we always have some €s, and if spending several weeks in one country would probably withdraw some cash for tips. I still have quite a few HK$ left from frequent visits when my son lived there. 

Unfortunately you generally end up with High denomination notes when withdrawing from ATMs these days. I got €100 out last week in Dresden and got 2 x €50 notes, not much use for tips.

Other than that always use my Chase card but unfortunately no cashback now on it :-(