Cheap Travel Money Discussion Area

1…287289291292293

Comments

  • traveler1_2
    traveler1_2 Posts: 2 Newbie
    What are cheapest months to travel to Europe, for example Bulgaria?
  • Ian_Heron
    Ian_Heron Posts: 1 Newbie
    When checking the travel money calculator the best rate is always shown as 'specialist credit card'. I think this means that I'm better off using my Halifax Clarity card to draw foreign currency directly from an ATM in the country I'm visiting; rather than ordering currency from a Forex company and paying with my card.

    Is that correct?
  • EveryWhere
    EveryWhere Posts: 3,249 Forumite
    Ian_Heron wrote: »
    When checking the travel money calculator the best rate is always shown as 'specialist credit card'. I think this means that I'm better off using my Halifax Clarity card to draw foreign currency directly from an ATM in the country I'm visiting; rather than ordering currency from a Forex company and paying with my card.

    Is that correct?

    Yes.

    ........
  • Sotonsparky70
    Sotonsparky70 Posts: 1 Newbie
    Can anyone help me.

    I’m off to the USA on Saturday and haven’t sorted out my money yet!
    I’m looking to take a mixture of cash and pre paid card, but won’t be able to sort out until Friday. Would like two linked pre paid cards if possible. I’m looking at taking around £1500 across the cards and cash.
    Can you suggest a good split and good cards to take.

    I also have a Barclays account with a standard debit card and also a Barclaycard credit card.
  • EveryWhere
    EveryWhere Posts: 3,249 Forumite
    Sotonsparky70 wrote: »
    Can anyone help me.

    I’m off to the USA on Saturday and haven’t sorted out my money yet!
    I’m looking to take a mixture of cash and pre paid card, but won’t be able to sort out until Friday. Would like two linked pre paid cards if possible. I’m looking at taking around £1500 across the cards and cash.
    Can you suggest a good split and good cards to take.

    I also have a Barclays account with a standard debit card and also a Barclaycard credit card.

    Forget about it. Just use your Barclaycard if it doesn't already have spending on it.. It will cost you 2.99%, so not really much worse than a prepaid card. Plus you won't have the hassle of having US$ left on the prepaid card.

    Ridiculous you left it until the last minute.
    You should have at least had a card ready, even if you have no money to put on it.
  • murphydavid
    murphydavid Posts: 832 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post
    EveryWhere wrote: »
    Forget about it. Just use your Barclaycard if it doesn't already have spending on it.. It will cost you 2.99%, so not really much worse than a prepaid card. Plus you won't have the hassle of having US$ left on the prepaid card.

    Ridiculous you left it until the last minute.
    You should have at least had a card ready, even if you have no money to put on it.

    Yes I agree. Just to add. If you had enough time then using a Halifax Clarity card in the USA is not only like having a Barclaycard in the UK (you just use it in shops restaurants etc) it also gives you the added advantage of cheap $s from ATMs. I'm assuming you have a reasonable credit rating. I would try to get one now You never know. Its free and at least you would have it for the future.
  • pmbrs
    pmbrs Posts: 1 Newbie
    HI all,
    I need recommendations about cheap travel.
    Where can I go with less?
    Thank you
  • murphydavid
    murphydavid Posts: 832 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post
    pmbrs wrote: »
    HI all,
    I need recommendations about cheap travel.
    Where can I go with less?
    Thank you

    Hmmm
    Go stay with your Mum and go on your bike? Probably the cheapest I can think of.
  • EveryWhere
    EveryWhere Posts: 3,249 Forumite
    Sotonsparky70 wrote: »
    Can anyone help me.

    I’m off to the USA on Saturday and haven’t sorted out my money yet!
    I’m looking to take a mixture of cash and pre paid card, but won’t be able to sort out until Friday. Would like two linked pre paid cards if possible. I’m looking at taking around £1500 across the cards and cash.
    Can you suggest a good split and good cards to take.

    I also have a Barclays account with a standard debit card and also a Barclaycard credit card.

    I should have made it more clear. Your Barclays account, contrary to what some might believe, is not actually a poor choice for the USA.
    With your Barclays Visa debit, you can actually withdraw cash from Bank of America ATMs with no ATM withdrawal fees on either side. There will be a 2.75% foreign currency conversion fee.

    Since there will be quite a few BofA ATM, that is quite a boon for you. 2.75% is actually on par with a decent Bureau de Change. So just use your debit card in BofA ATM for when you need cash..
    For purchases, your standard Barclaycard charges a 2.99% foreign currency conversion fee. Again, not horrible.

    So just use your existing cards in the ways described above.
  • jimexbox
    jimexbox Posts: 12,416 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post Combo Breaker
    Has anyone used the moneycorp ATM at Gatwick (Stansted?) recently? Ideally I'd like to use my clarity card to withdraw euros at Stansted, Dollars at Gatwick on a couple of trips in the new year. Obviously selecting no to dynamic conversion, or whatever they call it.
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 343.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 250.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 449.7K Spending & Discounts
  • 235.2K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 608K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 173K Life & Family
  • 247.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 15.9K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards