Travel Money & Foreign Exchange Tips guide

Kernow666 wrote: »

i have used my clairty card when i was last in the US , i did find some free to use ATMS in las vegas & LA but yes the majority still charge $1-$3 per transaction so i ended up taking out $500 then using the card for larger purchases , even when with paying the interest when i got back home i was still 5cents a dollar better off

This is nothing to do with Halifax clarity. In some countries like US, Thailand and few other countries in Asia, there is always unavidable charge you for using their ATM. So whatever non US/Local cards you are using to withdraw cash there is no way you could avoid this fee when using their cash machines. But you still get the best conversion rate done by Master card (+ no avaidable ATM usage fee).

The fee for this ATM usage fee is flat per transaction (e.g does not depend on the amount you withdraw). So the trick in dealing with this is when withdrawing cash, draw the maximum you could up to your daily withdrawal limit. Doing this even after adding the tiny cash witdrawal fee you coudalways be miles bettern rather then using the money changer.

had my doubts as had never heard of this,so authenticated that they are full members of mastercard,and tested card in uk before risking it abroad,works at all merchants and atms accepting card but must be with your pin,cannot be used over telephone.card can be loaded with pounds minimum load £50 and max £1000 in any one day,you then can xchange into several currencies,i used euros,at immediate,1 -3 days or 7 days to wait.whilst it saves tiny commission i heavily recommend the immediate swap as saves worrying about delays,and normally converts within 5 minutes.on return from holiday had few euros left so converted back to pounds and can spend on petrol,shopping etc in uk no problem.very easy to get card dont think any credit checks received in about 2 days,so allow at laest 7 days to get card and check works and load up before travelling.

Use the Clarity to withdraw your euros in Spain.

Tragen wrote: »

If I use my halifax clarity to withdraw euros abroad (Cyprus), I understand that I should pay it off the same day to avoid interest.

Should I just guess how much to pay off or will the ATM provide an amount?

Better to wait a day or two until 'settlement' and the transaction amount shows in your account. To 'pay off' before that will put your account into positive balance, which is against T&Cs for the credit card. Even if not paid off for a few days the interest accrued will be relatively miniscule.

The ATM will not show the GBP amount - assuming that you don't make the mistake of selecting 'Conversion' if a choice is offered, allowing the ATM to make the exchange at a lousy rate, instead of MasterCard.

Snapelover wrote: »

Going on holiday to Rhodes in May and no idea what is best to go for with holiday money.

I have done travellers cheques years gone by and I like the idea of taking a set amount of money on holiday and exchanging whilst abroad. I don't want to use a credit card, I prefer to pay for things in cash.

What is my best bet these days?

Thanks.

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