SS2
Tour Rookie
Has anyone used one of these cards? Any recommendations or horror stories ?
Pre-Paid currency cards for going to the US of A
- Thread starter SS2
- Start date
Aztecs27
Money List Winner
Yep. Got ours through Thomas Cook. They work a treat. We never had a problem with them. And you can re-load them (as long as you have internet access) whenever you want.
surefire
Challenge Tour Pro
Not used one, but I would check that you can't get a better rate on your normal credit card or cash first.
I tend to find that I get a better rate using my card and cash, which is why I have never bothered with these.
I tend to find that I get a better rate using my card and cash, which is why I have never bothered with these.
Aztecs27
Money List Winner
The trouble with using a credit card is they charge you a "conversion fee" for every transaction. Unless, of course, you have one that doesn't
UpminsterGas11
Assistant Pro
Me and the missus are using one for the first time next month when we go to Cyprus, we asked around alot before deciding to use one and everyone who had used one before said they were alot cheaper than using debit or credit cards. If you go to http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/
they have a section on these cards so you can decide which one best suits your needs.
they have a section on these cards so you can decide which one best suits your needs.
RGDave
Money List Winner
We used one recently (euros) and it seemed to work OK.
One or two places wanted to see a passport (?) when we tried to use it, quite why, I don't know.
We paid 2 euros for the 1 cash withdrawal we made (£130), and the shop/restaurant bills came off "as-is" with no extra charge. For taking out money from a hole in the wall, I'd say it was not very good, unless you're going to do it just once or twice.
I'm not aware of any horror stories, but make sure you
a) get a good rate on the initial "credit" £-$s
b) if you are offered a "buy-back" deal, do NOT agree to this unless there is a possibility you'll bring back at least £100. My wife paid £3.95 for the pleasure of being able to convert our money back at the same rate. I don't know if these "deals" are just for hard currency or plastic, but they are "sharp practice" from the travel companies.
t.b.h. I just use my HSBC debit card all over the world. I've never paid a fee of any sort, the bank makes a few quid on the rate. Lloyds charge £1 per overseas transaction. I'd ask your bank what the deal is....if it's just £1 per transaction, you might be better off taking your normal bank card.
One or two places wanted to see a passport (?) when we tried to use it, quite why, I don't know.
We paid 2 euros for the 1 cash withdrawal we made (£130), and the shop/restaurant bills came off "as-is" with no extra charge. For taking out money from a hole in the wall, I'd say it was not very good, unless you're going to do it just once or twice.
I'm not aware of any horror stories, but make sure you
a) get a good rate on the initial "credit" £-$s
b) if you are offered a "buy-back" deal, do NOT agree to this unless there is a possibility you'll bring back at least £100. My wife paid £3.95 for the pleasure of being able to convert our money back at the same rate. I don't know if these "deals" are just for hard currency or plastic, but they are "sharp practice" from the travel companies.
t.b.h. I just use my HSBC debit card all over the world. I've never paid a fee of any sort, the bank makes a few quid on the rate. Lloyds charge £1 per overseas transaction. I'd ask your bank what the deal is....if it's just £1 per transaction, you might be better off taking your normal bank card.
SyR
Challenge Tour Pro
I'm considering one of these for my holiday to the USA this year. My bank (barclays) charge a fee of about 2% on every oversees debit card transaction and I don't fancy carry a lot of cash with me.
It seems the features vary greatly depending where you get the card, so it seems to be worth shopping around and reading all the small print.
It seems the features vary greatly depending where you get the card, so it seems to be worth shopping around and reading all the small print.
Evesdad
Tour Winner
Used one from Thomas cook when we went skiing in Italy last month, no probs but some machines can charge for withdrawals, I think it's with MasterCard.
GB72
Money List Winner
I used a post office one a couple of years ago in Malta then again in France last year and it worked fine, really easy.
RGDave
Money List Winner
Yes, ours was through a travel firm and also a MasterCard.
In theory, I think they are a good idea. I just resent the "flat fee" (2 euros, whatever) for cash withdrawals. The thing is, a DD card costs nowt. I've used my HSBC Visa/Debit all over and never paid the commission/fee bit.
