Prepaid travel money card

rjb25

I'm thinking of getting a prepaid travel money card for my upcoming trip to Canada. Does anyone have any recomendations for which card to get please? Ideally I'd like to have two cards on the same account if that is at all possible as there will be two of us travelling. Any tips will be greatly apreciated.

MyRealNameToo

rjb25 said:

I'm thinking of getting a prepaid travel money card for my upcoming trip to Canada. Does anyone have any recomendations for which card to get please? Ideally I'd like to have two cards on the same account if that is at all possible as there will be two of us travelling. Any tips will be greatly apreciated.

Why do you want a prepaid card rather than say opening a Starling or Chase account that will be totally free and simply uses the card networks rates? 

jbrassy

If you really want a prepaid card, Revolut is probably your best bet.

However, as has already been mentioned, there are better credit and debit cards available these days.

In terms of credit cards, Barclaycard Rewards and Halifax Clarity are good choices. In terms of debit cards, Starling, First Direct, and Chase are good choices.

rjb25

Thanks for the comments. I was led to believe that prepaid cards were the way to go but now I'm questioning that!

On-the-coast

If you’re hiring a car you’ll need a credit card - not a prepay card. 

maybe also if you’re checking into a hotel - though they don’t need as much of a credit line as car hire. 

Prepay cards have their place. 

Just make sure that’s not your only source of funds. 

NoodleDoodleMan

rjb25 said:

Thanks for the comments. I was led to believe that prepaid cards were the way to go but now I'm questioning that!

Starling offer joint accounts - so that would satisfy your two cards on same account.

We use ours regularly both in the UK and abroad - never had any issues.

As said above, you'll also need a dependable credit card.

rjb25

Thanks everyone, that's most helpful, I'm really grateful for the advice.

RavingMad

Monzo has introduced a joint account but you both need a separate Monzo account first.

I also have their Flex credit card which allows us to spread the payments interest free over 3 months 

marcia_

 I didn't want to open another bank account so opted for the post office travel money card. 

MyRealNameToo

rjb25 said:

Thanks everyone, that's most helpful, I'm really grateful for the advice.

This site's formal recommendations are on https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/ despite the link it covers both credit cards and debit cards. 

NoodleDoodleMan

Having a travel money card is no better an option IMO than taking out a Starling or Chase etc. card for overseas use.

They all need funds upfront and a money card is almost always going to be a poorer exchange rate when buying foreign currency.

Having said that I maintain a Caxton FX card with around €100 balance as an emergency funds source if needed.

They recently offered a 24 hour special buy in rate of €1.14 to the £ which is very close to what Chase would have taken for a transaction in the EU.

It's all down to personal preferences at the end of the day.