Holiday money...what is best?

[leothetiler]

I am going to France for three weeks and was just planning getting my euros. As I am camping I am a little nervous about taking all cash. Every other option you seem to explore though seems a bit of a rip off!

If I use my debit card to withdraw cash you can be charged upto £5.00 per transaction.
Travellers cheques just seem too much hastle, and again even with euro ones I have been charged on occasion in French banks.
Credit card is fine for dinner/supermarket etc.

What do others do? What is the most cost effective way?

[//j17]

Shop around and you can still find cards with good over-seas charges.

There are a few pre-pay debit cards that look like they do commission-free foreign ATM withdrawals - http://www.moneysupermarket.com/travel-money/

[eric twinge]

What about the post office per paid charge card? Just load it up with euros before you go and use it as a debit card. You will get a pin number as well. Easy.

[audidoody]

http://www.caxtonfx.com/currency-cards/

[R12HCO]

Im sure RBS dont charge me anything for transactions. Ive done this in portugal (this year), spain, greece, germany, holland and dont recall any charges.

[zcacogp]

Keep an eye on the exchange rate they give you tho' - I got a load from my bank before i left last time I went to France, and thought I had done well. Until I saw the rate offered on the ferry over there, which was a good 2% better than that which the bank gave me.


Oli.

[ChrisBMW]

I always use a "charge card", I get mine from Thomas Cook but I think other travels agents use them as well. Simply load it with your spending money and then use it like a debit card.

I've only used them in the states before but my son recently went on a school trip to Barcelona and we got him one for this trip rather than giving him a lot of cash and it was fine, I think he had to draw cash out once with it which I think you are charged 1.50 for.

Edited by ChrisBMW on Thursday 28th June 11:08

[Gregorypeck]

I've been using a FairFX charge card for years now. Even when I lost my card a couple of years ago, thay transferred the balance to by usual bank account within 24 hours.

[Sarkmeister]

Moneysavingexpert.com has a good section detailing the best options...

[leothetiler]

I was in the process of applying for a prepaid card. When it came to ticking the terms and conditions it stated: "I understand that I may lose my money if ..... plc become insolvent and that the Financial Services Compensation Scheme does not apply to these cards" That sounds a bit of a concern if you have a few thousand on the card.

Think I would rather pay a few £'s charge with the debit and credit cards.

[Allanmac]

Bank of Scotland, and I'm guessing Halifax too, didn't charge me last year and the card was used in a few countries (Canada, USA, China, Korea, Panama, Israel).

Just make sure you tell them your off before you go otheriwse they'll block the card and you need to get a replacement as they'll think its fraud. This happened to my father when he was working in Mexico! *Must remember to do this tomorrow*

[jmorgan]

Going through this at the moment. Caxton do a pre paid card you can load up in various currencies, eg Euro's, no fees for use abroad etc, check their web site. Only problem is do not use it for guarantee, say check in at a hotel, as it blocks out a chunk of loot on the card. Not worried about getting the absolute bestest rate if it helps me avoid carrying lots of loot tea leaves would love to relieve me of.

Halifax Clarity master card can be used abroad with no fees.

[v15ben]

I'm off travelling in August and after a lot of reading online, here, MoneySupermarket etc, I decided on a Halifax Clarity Credit Card and a FairFX prepaid card. Nationwide's FlexAccount used to do fee-free withdrawls in Europe, but they no longer do. Their fees are still quite reasonable in France I believe. Easy and quick to open an account with them too. I'd also ring whichever bank you get a card with (if you choose to use a debit/credit card) and make sure they know you'll be overseas and don't cancel your card

[acd80]

I've got a Halifax clarity card-it gives you the Visa exchange rate and you do not get stung for withdrawal fees. I've used it worldwide and have had no issues whatsoever.

[jmorgan]

leothetiler said:

I was in the process of applying for a prepaid card. When it came to ticking the terms and conditions it stated: "I understand that I may lose my money if ..... plc become insolvent and that the Financial Services Compensation Scheme does not apply to these cards" That sounds a bit of a concern if you have a few thousand on the card.

Think I would rather pay a few £'s charge with the debit and credit cards.

We have the card and saw that. Not loaded it up yet as that bit worries me. Anyone know much about this form of payment?

[oblio]

There was a chap on BBC news this morning warning of non use charges on pre pay cards if you don't use them for some time after you come back from hols. Cited an example of a woman who had €58 on hers, didnt use it for 2-3 years and by the time she came back to use it the whole lot had gone!

I guess the moral is to probably see if you can get your dosh back when you get back to Blighty - if there is any left

[leothetiler]

Does anyone know if you can check the balance on these pre-paid cards in EU ATM's?

[FamilyDub]

leothetiler said:

Does anyone know if you can check the balance on these pre-paid cards in EU ATM's?

Not sure about the EU, but I've used these in Canada and the US and it was easy enough, so would presume you can.

ETA, I withdrew my € at the ATM in Spain when I got there. As a basis for comparison, Glasgow airport ATM was offering 1.11/1, the Bureau de Change 1.13/1 and the rate in Spain...?

1.20/1, with no charges.

Edited by FamilyDub on Sunday 1st July 21:03