Prepaid Travel Cards guide

LukeSadler05 · 16 August 2016 at 12:13PM

I'm off travelling next month for hopefully 18-24 months. Heading out to Asia & OZ/NZ and just trying to work out the best way to manage my money whilst away. I'm expecting I'll be spending anything from £800-£1500 with at a guess 2/3 withdrawals and 1/3 card transactions. Having read through a fair few pages on here and also a couple of the recent guides on this site and a couple of others I've come to a conclusion that the best way would be a Revolut pre-paid card coupled with a Halifax Clarity Credit Card. Using the Revolut to withdraw £500 a month in cash, and then using the credit card for any purchases and any additional withdrawals I may need each month. Pay off the withdrawals on the credit card ASAP to minimize the interest charged.

Would you say that's correct and the best way to go? or would anyone recommend anything else?

Also, I've not applied for the Halifax CC yet but lets say for arguements sake I get declined for one, what would you recommend as an alternative for a second card/account to take with me. As I say I've read several guides and articles and the other ones that seem to come up a lot are the Ice Travellers Cashcard, a current account with Metro or Norwich & Peterborough or a normal pre-paid card with FairFX/Caxton.

Have to admit this whole thing has boggled my mind so any help anyone could offer would be greatly appreciated.

NiftyDigits · 16 August 2016 at 3:09PM

LukeSadler05 wrote: »

I'm off travelling next month for hopefully 18-24 months. Heading out to Asia & OZ/NZ and just trying to work out the best way to manage my money whilst away. I'm expecting I'll be spending anything from £800-£1500 with at a guess 2/3 withdrawals and 1/3 card transactions. Having read through a fair few pages on here and also a couple of the recent guides on this site and a couple of others I've come to a conclusion that the best way would be a Revolut pre-paid card coupled with a Halifax Clarity Credit Card. Using the Revolut to withdraw £500 a month in cash, and then using the credit card for any purchases and any additional withdrawals I may need each month. Pay off the withdrawals on the credit card ASAP to minimize the interest charged.

Would you say that's correct and the best way to go? or would anyone recommend anything else?

Also, I've not applied for the Halifax CC yet but lets say for arguements sake I get declined for one, what would you recommend as an alternative for a second card/account to take with me. As I say I've read several guides and articles and the other ones that seem to come up a lot are the Ice Travellers Cashcard, a current account with Metro or Norwich & Peterborough or a normal pre-paid card with FairFX/Caxton.

Have to admit this whole thing has boggled my mind so any help anyone could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Revolut wouldn't be my first choice.Only as an emergency backup. Rates aren't always on point.
I would prefer Creation Everyday and Halifax Clarity. One for purchases and the other for ATM withdrawals. Clear the cash advances asap via online banking.. You can leave the purchases to direct debit.

LukeSadler05 · 16 August 2016 at 8:58PM

Thanks for the reply Nifty, I was hoping to get one of those 2 (both would be ideal then) alongside the Revolut card.

My issue is more if I don't get accepted for one of those cards due to credit reasons or any other reason, what would anyone suggest as the next best option?

NiftyDigits · 17 August 2016 at 9:23AM

LukeSadler05 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply Nifty, I was hoping to get one of those 2 (both would be ideal then) alongside the Revolut card.

My issue is more if I don't get accepted for one of those cards due to credit reasons or any other reason, what would anyone suggest as the next best option?

Next port of call would be Cumberland Plus(if you are within the catchment area) or the N&P Gold Classic account.
Failing that, Revolut is a whole lot better than nothing.

LukeSadler05 · 17 August 2016 at 2:11PM

Thanks again, I'll give them a go in order of Halifax, creation, n&p then as I'm not in the catchment area for the other

One last question if you don't mind... Is there anything to stop one of my folks taking out a revolut account and giving me the card and then topping up £500 a month for me? Would obviously then give me double the charge free allowance.

NiftyDigits · 17 August 2016 at 2:57PM

LukeSadler05 wrote: »

Thanks again, I'll give them a go in order of Halifax, creation, n&p then as I'm not in the catchment area for the other

One last question if you don't mind... Is there anything to stop one of my folks taking out a revolut account and giving me the card and then topping up £500 a month for me? Would obviously then give me double the charge free allowance.

Nothing to stop that happening. Bear in mind that Revolut doesn't always offer the 'perfect' exchange rate and that it is best to avoid the ATMs in Thailand. Now there is a country that seems to like shooting itself in the foot.

Sunshine_and_Roses · 27 August 2016 at 6:31PM

I have previously used pre paid cards from Tesco and Money Shop (Cashplus Euro Card). I love the convenience of these cards, but looking to swap to another one due to the ATM fees for Cashplus Card, also not being able to withdraw any leftover euros. I have a very small amount - about 30 euros - on the Cashplus card, but have been told I cannot cash this out in this country, and will have to do this abroad.

I am going to Spain in three weeks, and looking to load the card with around £500 - £700. I have been looking at different cards and see that Revolut is recommended,and does not charge for ATM withdrawals up to 500 euros per month, but I cannot see what their current exchange rate is. Would I need to download the app before I can find out their rate?

eDicky · 27 August 2016 at 7:15PM

clareski wrote: »

I am going to Spain in three weeks, and looking to load the card with around £500 - £700.

The Cashplus euro card..? It's the worst value - don't do it! Just spend the balance while in Spain and abandon it.

Revolut uses the ideal interbank rate (slightly off on weekends) updated every half second. You can see it on the app or the mid-market rate shown on xe.com is more or less the same.

You may be able to top-up Revolut with your remaining balance on the Cashplus card (directly in euros) - worth a try, at no cost.

Sunshine_and_Roses · 27 August 2016 at 8:43PM

Thanks eDicky, I have applied for the Revolut card and loaded it with £500, using the MSE code so they balance is £505.

When do I convert to euros? I have been trying to work out how to do it!! Do I wait to see if the rate is better in the week rather than a weekend?

Thanks for your help.

NiftyDigits · 27 August 2016 at 8:53PM

clareski wrote: »

Thanks eDicky, I have applied for the Revolut card and loaded it with £500, using the MSE code so they balance is £505.

When do I convert to euros? I have been trying to work out how to do it!! Do I wait to see if the rate is better in the week rather than a weekend?

Thanks for your help.

Yes.......

Prepaid Travel Cards guide

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