If you intend taking Euro's as ready cash it is certainly worth while shopping for the best exchange rate. I found this site which others might be interested in.
The Nationwide Flex account gave us free travel insurance, but we load a fairFX card with euros.
To avoid the charge each time we use the card we use it once a week to take out the money for the week, or a big shop.
It is a good way to keep money safe and in a different format.
I recently checked this card in the uk and it did show the balance on the ATM, not sure if this is a new feature on ATM's abroad. That is the only problem that you have to keep tabs on how much is in your account or go on-line to check.
We got a good rate for our £ and are happy with it.
I've never understood how you keep a check on how much credit you have left on these pre paid cards. So if you do a big shop, or have a meal, or whatever.... how do you know if you have enough credit left before the card is refused?
So you stand at the hypermarket check out, with a queue behind you, texting England on your mobile to transfer more funds to the wretched card ? it all sounds like a hassle I can do without. Just use a real, proper, no charge ,credit card. Pay later. It's been said before.
"I've never understood how you keep a check on how much credit you have left on these pre paid cards."
I don't use them myself but it's the same with any account.
It called mental arithmetic an elementary branch of mathematics where you subtract from the balance if you are debiting the account or add to the balance if you credit the account.
------------- Ollie
2016
Monplaisir - Provence
Camping Les Gorges du Loup
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
I'm in France at the moment on the 5th June I withdrew 600 euros on my Halifax clarity card and have just had the bill,I got 1.24 ex rate it cost £483.08 plus£1.46 interest a total of £484.54 for the month.I cant see the point in prepaid cards.
I'm in France at the moment on the 5th June I withdrew 600 euros on my Halifax clarity card and have just had the bill,I got 1.24 ex rate it cost £483.08 plus£1.46 interest a total of £484.54 for the month.I cant see the point in prepaid cards.
Saxo1
We've got the Halifax Clarity cards but were only intending to use them for payments (campsite fees, fuel, peage etc), not to actually withdraw cash from an ATM. Knowing that you were only charged £1.46 on a €600 withdrawal is great to know!
------------- Claire x
Jan 2013 - Skiing, Kühtai, Austria
May - Swiss Farm
Fforest Ffields
Aug - Saumur, France
Oct - Somewhere...
Jan '14 - Skiing, Les Houches
just ordered a caxton fx card which has no atm charge or payment charge, was intending to use it for food shopping, days out and diesel, but i am now a little concerned about this taking so long to debit the money thing? could you clarify this a little more?
Is it just the same way as a debit card works where it takes a little time to work out you've made a payment or withdrawal?
taking the debit card and half my intended money in cash anyway so should be OK regardless, just thought the prepaid was a little more convenient and marginally better exchange rate than cash, but obviously not as good as the direct visa transfer. i may just lump out some cash on the debit card when there instead of taking so much cash.