Euro Prepaid Cuurency Cards

[llamekuf]

Anyone used these cards please.
Travalex for example do not charge any fees but when the card is
used abroad the ATM will, may charge a fee for taking money out.
Anyone know what kind of charges these are.

[boxtops]

You have to pay 2% to load your own money on to the card, which would be a deterrent for me - have you looked here? http://www.cashpassport.com/1/Global/UK%20Consumer/UK_BK8146_CP9862_V2_RT_NOPIN_UGTC_300410.pdf

[Buenchico]

It's far cheaper just to use a normal debit card than it is to use any of the pre-paid cards.

[friedgreentomato]

I used the post office one recently and got charge $2.50

[Kathyan]

We have a travel money card from Thomson. No charge for loading the card and 2 euros for each withdrawal. We have used this method for our last three holidays

[friedgreentomato]

Sorry disagree Chris it is not cheaper to use debit card than a pre pay - for example:

Natwest charge me to take money from the cashpoint in America, the cashpoint charges me, Natwest then charge me a conversion rate and a little extra on top!!

All I pay with a prepaid is $2.50 flat rate!

[BlueToffee]

Take cash, perhaps £250 worth. For the rest, get yourself a Halifax Credit Card.

There are NO charges, and the bonus, you get the exchange rate, not the tourist rate.

Remember though, don't overspend on the credit card.

[llamekuf]

Thank you BOXTOPS, BUENCHICO, FRIEDGREENTOMATO, KATHYAN,
DORROMAY71 and BLUETOFFEE.

[dzug2]

There's also I'm sure an exchange rate loading hidden in the rate Thomson sell you the euros for.



Other than that hidden in their exchange rate when you load the card.

I'd agree with Chris - that with MOST cards (and yes there are a few exceptions) using a debit card in an ATM is the best way. ATMs in Europe do not usually charge and in the US the charge is the same whatever card you use.

[llamekuf]

Thank you also DZUG2

[theshedman]

Have a look at the link below it's for a topic on here about a week ago for the same thing. It will give you a good idea on what to expect with one of these cards. I use one because if I use my debit card my bank charge a lot for the privilege and if I lose or have stolen the card then I can cancel it and use the spare one that some providers have so that I don't have to get them to send a replacement which usually costs.

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/How-it-Works/Question1203615.html

[Prudie]

Another advantage to consider is the impact of losing one or having it scammed is far less than your own card.