How do you all take your money on holiday?

Options
Abbafan1972
Abbafan1972 Posts: 6,894 Forumite
Name Dropper Photogenic First Anniversary First Post
in Overseas holidays & travel planning
We will going on holiday to Spain a couple of times in the near future - how do you all take your money with you?

My Mom takes all cash with her - we have done that in the past and don't really feel comfortable with it.

I have a Revolut card, but have never used it abroad and am not sure how it works to be honest.

Years ago I used Travellers Cheques - I'm guessing these don't exist anymore?

Is there any other means I can use?

Your comments would be great on what to do.

Thanks in advance.
Striving to clear the mortgage before it finishes in Dec 2028 - amount currently owed - £43,915.98
«13456

Comments

  • littleredhen
    littleredhen Posts: 3,280 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Options
    I use my Halifax clarity card
    https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/
    The mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work unless it’s open.:o

    A winner listens, a loser just waits until it is their turn to talk:)
  • Abbafan1972
    Abbafan1972 Posts: 6,894 Forumite
    Name Dropper Photogenic First Anniversary First Post
    Options
    littleredhen wrote: »
    I use my Halifax clarity card
    https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/

    Thanks - we already have a credit card each with Halifax, so don't think we would be able to get another one. Plus, I would rather not owe the bank the money - it would be money we have saved up.
    Striving to clear the mortgage before it finishes in Dec 2028 - amount currently owed - £43,915.98
  • comeandgo
    comeandgo Posts: 5,744 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    Options
    I take a lot of cash and keep it safe. Really large purchases are by Halifax credit card.
  • TELLIT01
    TELLIT01 Posts: 16,485 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post Name Dropper PPI Party Pooper
    Options
    If you find a card which doesn't charge for overseas cash withdrawals that is probably the best method. I actually take cash and lock it in a safe. Credit card for if I want to hire a car or have any other major purchase.
  • ibizafan_2
    ibizafan_2 Posts: 920 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    Options
    We take enough cash to tide us over for a couple of days and use the atms with a Fairfx euro card, or use credit cards for purchases. I wouldn’t be happy to take loads of cash to be honest.
  • IvanDP
    IvanDP Posts: 231 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post
    Options
    Never take any cash, just a selection of (debit and credit) cards.
    If we are going to somewhere that is a highly cash driven environment, then we withdraw a decent amount of cash when we arrive.
  • elsien
    elsien Posts: 32,744 Forumite
    Name Dropper Photogenic First Anniversary First Post
    Options
    Abbafan1972 wrote: »
    Thanks - we already have a credit card each with Halifax, so don't think we would be able to get another one. Plus, I would rather not owe the bank the money - it would be money we have saved up.

    You're not owing the bank the money if you pay the bill as soon as you get back with the money you've saved up. I also have a Halifax CC but applied (and got) the Clarity card just for holidays. The advantages are a good exchange rate if you pay in Euros and you can use it to get cash from ATMs with lower fees than most CC.
    That's why it's on the recommended list.
    Have you looked at the travel money section on the main part of the site for options?
    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
  • eDicky
    eDicky Posts: 6,574 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    Options
    It really surprises me that so many people still go to the unnecessary trouble and expense of buying wads of foreign cash to take on holiday with them.

    When in the UK do they always withdraw cash from their bank account to use, instead of just paying by card..?

    Occasionally cash is necessary of course, but ATMs are everywhere in most holiday venues, just as in the UK.

    With the right cards you save plenty of money and avoid carrying all that cash.
    Abbafan1972 wrote: »
    I have a Revolut card, but have never used it abroad and am not sure how it works to be honest.
    It might be time to learn, its purpose is an answer to your question...
    Evolution, not revolution
  • lindens
    lindens Posts: 2,870 Forumite
    Name Dropper Photogenic First Anniversary First Post
    Options
    eDicky wrote: »
    It really surprises me that so many people still go to the unnecessary trouble and expense of buying wads of foreign cash to take on holiday with them.

    When in the UK do they always withdraw cash from their bank account to use, instead of just paying by card..?

    Occasionally cash is necessary of course, but ATMs are everywhere in most holiday venues, just as in the UK.

    With the right cards you save plenty of money and avoid carrying all that cash.
    It might be time to learn, its purpose is an answer to your question...
    yes but you get stung by commission exchanging to the GBP.

    I use a monzo account as you get £300 per month commission free spending abroad
    You're not your * could have not of * Debt not dept *
  • adindas
    adindas Posts: 6,813 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    edited 27 August 2019 at 12:11PM
    Options
    Abbafan1972 wrote: »
    We will going on holiday to Spain a couple of times in the near future - how do you all take your money with you?

    My Mom takes all cash with her - we have done that in the past and don't really feel comfortable with it.

    I have a Revolut card, but have never used it abroad and am not sure how it works to be honest.

    Years ago I used Travellers Cheques - I'm guessing these don't exist anymore?

    Is there any other means I can use?

    Your comments would be great on what to do.

    Thanks in advance.


    As your question is particularly referring to Spain that it might be good to read this thread.

    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=6034328&highlight=

    Just be aware that in Spain even though you are using a specialist no fee card for foreign transaction you do get charged using their ATM to withdraw money from cash machines. This practice is quite uncommon in the EU countries.

    The link above provide you information of how to avoid this ATM fee as well as other fees.
This discussion has been closed.
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 343.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 250.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 449.7K Spending & Discounts
  • 235.3K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 608.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 173.1K Life & Family
  • 247.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 15.9K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards