Cash or Card On Holiday

Al_Mac

I tend to avoid cash, put most on the CC. When we went to Nice, last month, I think we only spent about 80Euro. The conversion rate appeared damn close to the exchange rate to me.:beer:

seaweed5254

I have just applied for a NAtionwide Cash card (since i always get rejected on credit card applications).

I am going to France and Italy soon.

Just to check, please, if I understand it correctly : I can only use this card for withdrawals from cash machines abroad with no extra/hidden charges ?
Where is the cheapest place where i can exchange pounds sterlings to euros ?


Thanks very much.

grumbler

seaweed5254 wrote:

I have just applied for a NAtionwide Cash card (since i always get rejected on credit card applications).

You could also apply for a debit card that is more difficult to get than a cash card, but easier than a credit card.

...if I understand it correctly : I can only use this card for withdrawals from cash machines abroad with no extra/hidden charges ?

Yes, you understand it correctly. However, some ATMs can charge you (the same as we have here in UK). I was always lucky though...

Where is the cheapest place where i can exchange pounds sterlings to euros ?

If you get your NW card just put ££s to your flexaccount and then withdraw euros abroad. This is the cheapest way.

BNU_2

seaweed5254 wrote:

I have just applied for a NAtionwide Cash card (since i always get rejected on credit card applications).

I am going to France and Italy soon.

Just to check, please, if I understand it correctly : I can only use this card for withdrawals from cash machines abroad with no extra/hidden charges ?
Where is the cheapest place where i can exchange pounds sterlings to euros ?


Thanks very much.

I agree with Grumbler here, you would be better off with a Nationwide Debit Card if you can get one, although when my husband upgraded from a normal cashcard to a debitcard with chequebook he had a hell of a time getting them - despite never having been overdrawn - because his salary was not paid into that account! Threatening to move our joint account away from them did the trick here!

If not, from memory I think your cashcard will need to be Visa or Cirrus compatible to use it widely throughout Europe. Nationwide will not charge you for using your cards abroad but foreign banks sometimes will - but I have used my Nationwide cards in Cyprus, France, Germany & Belgium and have never been charged extra.

Regarding exchanging Sterling, I have always found the rates better in banks rather than in hotels but keep an eye out whilst you are there for competitive looking rates and watch out for commission charges - it is often better to change up a larger amount rather than several smaller amounts - but withdrawal from an ATM is definitely the easiest way.

cslogg

Forgive me for asking some basic questions but I have read the posts and the articles on this board and am still not sure of the answer.
I am off to Italy soon and am undecided what to take.
I am not a fan of Travellers Cheques apart for when I go to USA.
I am with the Woolwich and the charges for using their debit card to withdrwaw cash from ATMs is 2% or £2.50 minimum per transaction.I also have a Visa credit card.
Should I get a load of Euros before I go or wait until I am there and use the ATMs as and when I need to?Is it benificial to use my cc for things like meals and gifts or again should I use Euros?
Thanks in advance for any help.

TimC

cslogg wrote:

Forgive me for asking some basic questions but I have read the posts and the articles on this board and am still not sure of the answer.
I am off to Italy soon and am undecided what to take.
I am not a fan of Travellers Cheques apart for when I go to USA.
I am with the Woolwich and the charges for using their debit card to withdrwaw cash from ATMs is 2% or £2.50 minimum per transaction.I also have a Visa credit card.
Should I get a load of Euros before I go or wait until I am there and use the ATMs as and when I need to?Is it benificial to use my cc for things like meals and gifts or again should I use Euros?
Thanks in advance for any help.

Read this article.

How soon is soon? If you can apply for a Nationwide Credit card (should take about 3 weeks) - anything that can be paid by credit card should go on this. Even if it doesn't arrive in time, you'll have it for your next trip.

Also apply for a Nationwide Flex account - they used to do a 'short form' flex account, this allows access to their on-line banking and accounts such as e-savings without having the full current account - you only get a Cirrus cashcard with this account - but that is all you'll need as your spending where possible will be on the Nationwide credit card. Before you travel, transfer some cash to the flex account for withdrawing from ATMs.

If none of these are possible, your next best bet is to avoid withdrawing cash from your Woolwich account overseas and to use your current credit card where possible. Try and estimate your cash requirements and get your money before you travel - I usually pre-order from Travelex and pick up at the airport. I find their rates to be competitive - if you don't have a Switch/Maestro card you may get charged a fee though.

If you do run out of cash - try and limit the number of withdrawals from your Woolwich account at overseas ATMs, make one large withdrawal rather than 5 small ones to minimise the transaction charges.