Best debit or prepaid card for foreign travel?

[maser_spyder]

Hi Chaps,

It used to be Nationwide, but they've bolted on a few extra fees over the years and are now one of the middle players.

I know about the CaxtonFX card, which I'll probably get anyway as it's likely to be useful, but are there any others worth knowing about?

Post Office used to be free for foreign withdrawals, not sure if that still applies, or if there's an even better option now.

I'll be mostly withdrawing HKD $$ and Chinese RMB, (never Euros) from ATMs, rather than using the card to spend in shops/restaurants.

Any ideas?

[Du1point8]

HSBC Advanced off free withdrawal from their machines globally.

Does that help in those countries?

[maser_spyder]

Du1point8 said:

HSBC Advanced off free withdrawal from their machines globally.

Does that help in those countries?

Oooh, didn't know that?

I used HSBC in Guangzhou earlier this year (I bank with HSBC in the UK). Got charged.

I'll check with my 'Business Relationship Manager'.

Ta!

[Du1point8]

maser_spyder said:

Du1point8 said:

HSBC Advanced off free withdrawal from their machines globally.

Does that help in those countries?

Oooh, didn't know that?

I used HSBC in Guangzhou earlier this year (I bank with HSBC in the UK). Got charged.

I'll check with my 'Business Relationship Manager'.

Ta!

It was the reason I got it several years ago when travelling Asia and more recently Egypt (4 times in 18 months), plus in addition they give me free travel insurance to cover diving upto 15m, so bonus as a diver playing in the Red Sea.

Better not have gone back on the free withdrawals, as I search out the HSBC machines to use them specially.

[Mr Pointy]

Du1point8 said:

It was the reason I got it several years ago when travelling Asia and more recently Egypt (4 times in 18 months), plus in addition they give me free travel insurance to cover diving upto 15m, so bonus as a diver playing in the Red Sea.

Better not have gone back on the free withdrawals, as I search out the HSBC machines to use them specially.

I don't get it: you pay £155.40 a year AND a 2.75% forex charge on every withdrawal? Unless you use the other features it looks a bit expensive just for some Travel Insurance.

[Mr Roper]

Mr Pointy said:

Du1point8 said:

It was the reason I got it several years ago when travelling Asia and more recently Egypt (4 times in 18 months), plus in addition they give me free travel insurance to cover diving upto 15m, so bonus as a diver playing in the Red Sea.

Better not have gone back on the free withdrawals, as I search out the HSBC machines to use them specially.

I don't get it: you pay £155.40 a year AND a 2.75% forex charge on every withdrawal? Unless you use the other features it looks a bit expensive just for some Travel Insurance.

You also get full uk and Europe breakdown cover.

[Mr Pointy]

Mr Roper said:

Mr Pointy said:

Du1point8 said:

It was the reason I got it several years ago when travelling Asia and more recently Egypt (4 times in 18 months), plus in addition they give me free travel insurance to cover diving upto 15m, so bonus as a diver playing in the Red Sea.

Better not have gone back on the free withdrawals, as I search out the HSBC machines to use them specially.

I don't get it: you pay £155.40 a year AND a 2.75% forex charge on every withdrawal? Unless you use the other features it looks a bit expensive just for some Travel Insurance.

You also get full uk and Europe breakdown cover.

I don't think so: you get UK Roadside Assistance, not including At Home. I don't doubt you get some benefits for the £155 but Green Flag Recovery Plus is only £40.

I still think something like the CaxtonFX card might be a better way of withdrawing money abroad since there is no annual charge.

[v15ben]

I looked into CantonFX and FairFX.
Both pretty similar costs, but FairFX have a deal through MoneySavingExpert.com where you get an extra 5 quid put on the card along with the first money you put on so long as it is over 500 quid.
Worked out for me, dead easy to use too.