Prepaid Travel Cards guide

eDicky · 28 May 2016 at 6:51PM

Deleted_User wrote: »

This week I applied for the Fair FX pre paid card through this website, and loaded up £600 + so am eligible for an extra £20, which I understand is by a voucher. Does anyone know when I get this voucher. The card has arrived already.

They will have given you £620 worth of euros or dollars. (Or +£20 worth on whatever you bought.)

[Deleted User] · 29 May 2016 at 9:27AM

eDicky wrote: »

They will have given you £620 worth of euros or dollars. (Or +£20 worth on whatever you bought.)

Thanks eDicky, however on the Fair FX website it says 'This will be added to your FairFX account as a voucher, which you must redeem' so I don't think it is automatically added. It seems I need a voucher to redeem.

Joosing

beth_wallis · 29 May 2016 at 2:27PM

Hi,

Me and two friends are inter-railing through Eastern Europe in the next month. Most of the accomodation, transport is pre-paid and booked, but we are having a problem with regards to the best way to spend.
A lot of the countries in this section of Europe tend to have their own currencies, so we aren't quite sure what would be best.
The question is do we withdraw all money before setting off and convert it to respective currencies before we travel? Problems being: budgeting, emergencies etc
Or, the other option, do we get a pre-paid travel card and what are the means of doing so?
Or finally, do we use our own cards from our respective banks to withdraw along the way? Obviously taking into consideration the withdrawal fees, and bank discrepencies?

It would be really great if someone could recommend to us the best way to spend whilst out and about in several different countries.

Thanks in advance!

eDicky · 29 May 2016 at 7:26PM

beth_wallis wrote: »

.
The question is do we withdraw all money before setting off and convert it to respective currencies before we travel?.

This would be the worst option, you would lose on the exchange rate buying the currencies and then changing back what you don't use.

Unless the cards you already have are suitable, it would be well worth getting better ones:

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

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/prepaid-travel-cards

NiftyDigits · 29 May 2016 at 9:02PM

beth_wallis wrote: »

Hi,

Me and two friends are inter-railing through Eastern Europe in the next month. Most of the accomodation, transport is pre-paid and booked, but we are having a problem with regards to the best way to spend.
A lot of the countries in this section of Europe tend to have their own currencies, so we aren't quite sure what would be best.
The question is do we withdraw all money before setting off and convert it to respective currencies before we travel? Problems being: budgeting, emergencies etc
Or, the other option, do we get a pre-paid travel card and what are the means of doing so?
Or finally, do we use our own cards from our respective banks to withdraw along the way? Obviously taking into consideration the withdrawal fees, and bank discrepencies?

It would be really great if someone could recommend to us the best way to spend whilst out and about in several different countries.

Thanks in advance!

Pop into a Metro Bank branch and pick up their debit cards on the spot. No withdrawal fees and no 'bank discrepancies'.

Mrs_Ryan · 30 May 2016 at 12:33AM

Hi all
Are these travel money cards Chip and PIN or do they require a signature? I just ask as I can't use Chip and PIN and I have a Chip and Sign debit card but the bank it's attached to have terrible exchange rates. I will need a card as I'm not able to do cash for the same reason I hold a Chip and Sign card (learning difficulties) but if C&P was the only option I would have to ask OH to help me.
Thanks

TrilceAC · 30 May 2016 at 11:42AM

Hi all,

I'm going to travel the other way. I'm from Spain and I'm going to visit UK next month. I understand that this forum is meant to people from UK who travel abroad, but the post about Prepaid Travel Cards has been so formative that I wanted to ask for advise.

I'm considering to get the Revolut card, but, do I have any better option to upload EURs and pay GBPs? What if I get some cash on ATMs? Are there comissions from the ATMs or can I find comission-free ATMs?

Any advice would help. Thanks,
Carlos

dj1471 · 30 May 2016 at 12:45PM

TrilceAC wrote: »

I'm considering to get the Revolut card, but, do I have any better option to upload EURs and pay GBPs? What if I get some cash on ATMs? Are there comissions from the ATMs or can I find comission-free ATMs?

The Revolut card is a good choice, just be aware of the fees if you'll be withdrawing over £500. Most ATMs don't charge any fees just make sure you don't allow them to do the currency conversion (always ensure the card is charged in pounds).

eDicky · 30 May 2016 at 5:03PM

TrilceAC wrote: »

I'm considering to get the Revolut card, but, do I have any better option to upload EURs and pay GBPs?

¡Bienvenido al forum, Carlos! Revolut should be ideal for your UK visit, we have no other cards that can be loaded with euros. It is accepted more or less everywhere for payment, the same as a credit card. Sometimes a small shop might charge extra for a purchase below £5 or £10, then you can use cash. Check that your card is working before traveling, bring a few cash euros and/or your bank card as backup, and let us know how it goes.

David_Clifford · 31 May 2016 at 4:15PM

Just want to know which is the best pre-loaded sterling cash card for use outside Europe and why? At the moment I have a CaxtonFX pre-loaded sterling cash card for payments to hotels, fuel, restaurants etc?

Prepaid Travel Cards guide

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