Best way to take currency

rudilb · 23 July 2009, 23:30

I'm off on a big trip around the med this August and was wondering what the best way to carry my dosh was - I don't really want to take loads of cash for obvious reasons (wet, mostly) and the thought of being ripped off by my bank isn't great. Anyone any ideas?

I have read recently about a prepaid card from a company called Caxton FX. Has anyone else got one of these and if so, what's the verdict?

__________________________________________________ _

Six and a half of pure Tornado!

karlT · 24 July 2009, 14:16

I use HSBC Mastercard and use it in France frequently. Exchange rate on statements is ALWAYS better than you can get for cash in Post office or local branch in UK.

Debit card at Atm's is usually ok rate for small spending amounts that you cannot use credit card for. (Check with your bank on charges before hand though)

Ensure you have access to internet banking whilst abroard so you check statement on card regularly and also make any payments online to avoid interest charges.

Happy Holiday

Prime 2 · 24 July 2009, 14:33

I travel around Europe, Middle East and Africa for a living and always use my HSBC Mastercard or my debit card for transactions.

There is a small fee, however the exchange rate is always there or there abouts.

codprawn · 24 July 2009, 23:11

Having had my wallet nicked in spain it is NOT a nice experience. All my money - cards everything gone.

I ended up getting my mate to send money to a post office - it was the ONLY way. They said they would send me new cards - to my HOME address!!!

My mate is very wealthy and thought he would be ok but after trying to help me and seeing what a nightmare it is he invested in an American Express card as backup - they will courier you a new card in 24hrs anywhere in the World.

Remember never keep all your eggs in one basket.

PS - I ain't too keen on the Spanish or the Don Juan hotel - buggers did nothing to help at all even though it was their staff that pinched it!!!

Limey Linda · 25 July 2009, 04:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Having had my wallet nicked in spain it is NOT a nice experience. All my money - cards everything gone.

I ended up getting my mate to send money to a post office - it was the ONLY way. They said they would send me new cards - to my HOME address!!!

My mate is very wealthy and thought he would be ok but after trying to help me and seeing what a nightmare it is he invested in an American Express card as backup - they will courier you a new card in 24hrs anywhere in the World.

Remember never keep all your eggs in one basket.

PS - I ain't too keen on the Spanish or the Don Juan hotel - buggers did nothing to help at all even though it was their staff that pinched it!!!

Could not have happened to a nicer bloke.

codprawn · 25 July 2009, 04:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

Could not have happened to a nicer bloke.

Yes i thought that as well - really deserved it didn't I as every time I find a wallet I hand it in...............

slimtim · 25 July 2009, 12:19

get a nationwide flex account and/or their gold credit card. They don't charge you to use ATMs abroad and when I was using mine in Canada, the exchange rate was always good.

willk · 25 July 2009, 20:43

My two cents:

1. Your main credit card, for general use - the rates are fine. Don't allow them to charge you in Pounds, it's a rip off.
2. Another credit card*, frontloaded for cash withdrawals (cheaper than travellers cheques) and more flexible - multicurrency.
3. Cash - keep a bit of "mad money" concealed somewhere, be creative.
4. A sacrificial wallet with a couple of Tesco's cards and a few squid in it - keep it handy and obvious. When they find it they will quit looking/let you go.
__________________________________
* Keep this one well concealed with your "mad money" - it's the emergency card too.

MikeCC · 26 July 2009, 09:20

Take a look at something like www.moneysavingexpert.com - they have fairly frequent updates on most economic travel cash arrangements, especially this time of year.

Skipper one · 23 July 2010, 16:32

???

m chappelow · 23 July 2010, 16:50

Just back in uk after a week in Ibiza,when i was at various travel agents looking for the best exchange rate before we went all of them were trying to get me to take out the latest tempory debit card that they said could be used in any ATM machine anywhere in the world ,,,
me been a yorkshire man from the old school and thinking what happens if the atm machine then decides to not give your card back for some reason leaving you without money in another country ,,so i went for the cash option .
mart

chewy · 26 July 2010, 10:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by m chappelow

me been a yorkshire man from the old school and thinking what happens if the atm machine then decides to not give your card back for some reason leaving you without money in another country ,,so i went for the cash option .
mart

Natwest decided to block my card when I used it in Crete as they thought it had been stolen, the fact I booked the holiday on the same card was a give away!
They also decided to send me a new card and cancel my old one which wasn't due to expire when I was away with work.

markg · 30 July 2010, 00:44

barclays have stopped my debit card a couple of times abroad, they never stopped credit cards though, kind of forces you to draw cash on credit card, but to be fair if you tell the card security dept you are abroad they dont stop your debit card, i think its a mixture of arse covering and profiteering at the same time, a handy card to have is a newish credit card that you have not activated, carhire companies and the like will accept it as deposit or security etc. but you wont get any ripoffs or fraud

captainpugwash · 31 July 2010, 16:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudilb

I'm off on a big trip around the med this August and was wondering what the best way to carry my dosh was - I don't really want to take loads of cash for obvious reasons (wet, mostly) and the thought of being ripped off by my bank isn't great. Anyone any ideas?

I have read recently about a prepaid card from a company called Caxton FX. Has anyone else got one of these and if so, what's the verdict?

__________________________________________________ _

Six and a half of pure Tornado!

Hello, I travel all over the world and I have three Caxton FX cards. The Euro Card, Dollar Card and Global Traveller Card.
I also have a couple of credit cards as well as back up.
I have had no problems with these cards and have found them to be superb. You can also take advantage of currency fluctuations if you are sharp.
They are easy to use and load with money, I do it all online but there are other options as well.
You also do not get charged at ATM's.
I used to use a Nationwide card which was free but they have changed it now and you cannot withdraw money abroad with it any more.

charles-masters · 03 August 2010, 16:41

Hi! I used my Caxton FX Euro cards recently in Ibiza--->Barcelona---->Valencia--->and finally Paris. I got adviced to get two caxton cards in case I lost one, so I applied for 2 cards. I had no problems whatsoever as it got accepted everywhere, the exchange rate was always bank beating, and most important of all: commissions and fees on ATM withdrawals as well as other transactions made with the card were free of charge. Absolutely brilliant, safe and convenient.

Jon.esp · 06 August 2010, 22:34

I am off to the States and Canada and was considering one of these preloaded debit cards. Our local co-op does Travelex and their post office have their own brand which they are always trying to persuade me to take when I pop in to buy € or $.

Neither will do Canadian $ cards (although they say they do on their websites)and are suggesting I take one in £ but if you look at the Travelex small print it

“Merchant transactions and ATM withdrawals in a currency other than the currency of the Card will be exchanged to the currency on the Card at an exchange rate determined by MasterCard on the day the transaction is processed, increased by 5.75%”

That’s a killer. Are the Carton cards the same? Are people paying these fees?

Jon