Over the year I put a little bit extra into a 'holiday' account with a debit card then with our holiday spends that we have saved we change to euros, then I take the card from the 'holiday' account just in case!!!
J
------------- Looking to try every other weekend away
August/ - France
The first I've heard about the Halifax card - in my experience, and a scan of bank websites, all other debit cards make some charge for euro (or other currency) withdrawals. There are two sets of deductions - a transaction charge (just for giving you the money) and a currency conversion rate (in effect giving you a poor conversion rate is charging you for the withdrawal!). The Nationwide used to make no charge; it still offers one of the best rates.... if you can't get a Halifax card!
Quote: Originally posted by morepints on 11/2/2013
Whoops! Looks like my Co-op debit is the only Visa card to charge for euro withdrawals. Sorry folks, bum advice!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Thanks for this post and the comments in it. We're off to open a N&P account today for the free withdrawals. Have now seen just how bad our Natwest account is for overseas so need a new account!
Hi Seanf81
The only caveat with a N&P Bank Account, is that you can either pay £5 per month for having one, this charge is dropped if you pay in £500 or more into the account each month, I get round this by using the account for my works expenses, which are around £500 each month, I simply pay the money out again as son as it has gone in.
Another way would be just to pay in £500 at the start of the month and then draw it out again a few days later.
It's a daft condition really, but I guess it save the account being dormant for months on end, and helps makes N&P look like the have active accounts.
It's not an issue really, you just have to play the game.
Hanging on to our Santander Zero Card which is no longer available to new customers. Good interbank rates and no embedded charges - I can see why they stopped issuing them.
------------- playing at tinkies
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We considered a prepaid card last year but were told might have trouble using them at fuel stations so we didnt bother, seemed like too much hassle. We have a zero Santander acct which is good exchange rate and some retailers charge £1.25 per transaction so we dont use it loads. We take euros, credit card for fuel/tolls and debit card. Capital one credit card didnt seem to charge overseas transactions last year.