Pre-loaded cards for holiday

[Legseleven]

Can anyone tell me how these work? I don't want to take a lot of cash - I have seen a few adverts but am unsure if it is a good idea or not.
I am not asking for adverts - just advice from someone who has used them and could point me in the direction of a reliable one (does that make sense)?

[twix123]

I have an Escape Prepaid card, which avoids paying Ryanair's exorbitant fees and can also be used at ATM's abroad for a £2.00 charge.

These can be purchased and topped up at any Phones for U shop or online.

(Not an advert!)

[boxtops]

I've never felt the need - we don't take cash, we just take it out of the hole in the wall overseas. My bank doesn't charge much for overseas transactions and it saves carrying cash.

[johnk]

Twix, is there any charge for taking the card out, does it work with euros?

[dzug2]

Charges on these cards can be a bit of a minefield:

for most there is a charge for the card - sometimes avoidable by signing up via a particular website

then there are usage charges - so much or so many % per transaction. Usually obvious from the T&C

then there's an exchange rate loading - it can be very difficult to establish what this is. It can be hidden away in the T&C or not mentioned at all.

FairFx and Caxton Fx have a good name, good exchange rate and low charges

[twix123]

Johnk...there is a charge, about £4.49 if I remember, but as I recently bought 10 return tickets for a group, Ryanair would have charged £100 using any other method of payment. You pay in Sterling, but can use it abroad as it is a Mastercard. Details as follows:

http://www.escape-prepaid-card.com/

[Buenchico]

It's generally simpler and cheap[er just to use your ordinary bank debit card in an overseas ATM. But, if you want to compare prepaid travel cards, start here:
http://www.what-prepa...vel-prepaid-card.html

Chris

[dotty.]

I did get one of the visa cards from the post office (thier logo is on it) for my son to go to magaluf, it was for using euros, it was good because I would have been able to go into the post office here with the card details and load money onto it whilst he had the card on holiday. there were no charges for using it in restaurants or shops but a charge for withdrawals from atms.