Has anyone used a Travel Money Card?

[Laura8192]

Our bank are offering the New Travel Money Cards, they're like a debit card but you put your spending money on it in euros (eg �500 is say 700E so the bank credit the card with 700E) you can then withdraw this money as and when you need it (with no bank charges) rather than taking 700E in cash or travellers cheques or using your normal debit card abroad and getting charged for it. Has anyone used these cards and how have they found them? i'm debating whether to get one for when we go away in September. Thanks in advance for your help!

[Senga 2]

Used one of the post office ones last year in Greece but could only use it at an ATM. Can't take out less than 20 euros so money left in at the end of the hols. I've topped it up again though for this year. quite handy as you can top up when/if you have spare cash.

[buildersmate]

Seems a bit odd that banks charge when you use a bank debit crad abroad, then offer this card where they don't. Surely there must be a catch? (poor exchange rate?, can't get the money back in � at the end of the hol? - just wondering).
If you happen to have a Nationwide BS ATM card, you don't pay charges anyway.

[Laura8192]

You have to pay a one off fee of �7.50 for the card

[dzug]

No I haven't used one - not because they are a bad idea but because if you look closely at ALL the charges they are an expensive way of doing things - they are more expensive than taking cash or TCs for example and depending on your debit card can be a LOT more expensive than that.
They should get cheaper as they become more common.

[puzzled54]

Why not open a nationwide account and use it as a holiday spending money account. They don't add any charges and you can just transfer in the money you need before you go away.

[ojread2]

I have the AMEX cash card - more places will take it over the one the PO does.
If there is any money left on it at the end, you just get it back. Ours has Euros on it and you are charged �2 per cash point transaction.
Personally I feel this is good way to take money with you without carrying large amounts of cash.
There was no one off fee for us

[ojread2]

Forgot to say - No other charges apart from the ATM charge

[dzug]

What about the exchange rate loading to put �� on it in the first place ojread2?

[ojread2]

I got a better exchange rate for loading the card.
something like .20 above the cash rate - not a lot but better than a kick in the teeth. Commission free just like cash too