American Express card

[willspal]

Does anyone have any comments about the American Express card that you load money onto for use abroad (not a credit card)

I want to take �500 to France but not in Euro's. I did think of having one of these AE cards but don't fancy paying �2.50 every time I use it in an ATM. The plan was to just take out say �50/60 a day for spending money (from an ATM) and use our credit card for anything beyond that.

What other ways are there of safely taking �500 without having to carry it in cash. I plan to take �150 in Euro's.

WP

[dzug]

There is only one way of getting 'free' cash overseas, and that is a Nationwide Flexaccount debit card. Two 'free' ways of spending - a Nationwide or (Europe only) Liverpool Victoria credit card.

Any other way and you will be paying charges either explicitly or hidden in the exchange rate or both. You can't get away from it. 0% commission when changing cash means that the commission is hidden in the exchange rate, not that there isn't any.

If you don't have any of these, and if you can establish that the AE card uses the interbank rate and not a tourist rate, then I'd use it but only take out cash every 2-3 days. It's not a bad charge on �200 or so.

Travellers Cheques are a safe but expensive way.