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Post by becksyj on Jan 23, 2011 22:22:32 GMT 2
Previously when holidaying abroad we used our Nationwide Card, but now they no longer do free withdrawels we are unsure which way to go. We have used Credit Card previously but found hidden costs in doing this.
We have looked at each of our bank cards, and whilst Nationwide is one of the better it still appears to have both a charge, and an exchange rate, by which time we are wondering if another option is better.
I know travellers cheques were once the thing, but seem to think these have pretty much gone out of fashion over recent years - can someone advise either way? Also if we did go down thsi line which is best euro or sterling and where is best to exchange them/what is the usual commission %?
We have also looked at the various travel money cards. One of the best for us, as we make regular ATM withdrawels, appears to be the Caxton Fx, they are currently at 1.157 euro, I wondered how this compared to in Greece at present as if there is less than 2% between them this maybe worth us considering (we would do the main top up nearer when we fly in May, but would get teh card ready now). As we are only going abroad once this year we want to be able to retrieve any of our remaining savings at a low fee (Caxton is 2euro for this).
I know some people take cash, but as we are doing a twin holiday (Roda is our second week) we don't really want to be carrying all our money around.
Anyone explored and able to advise on any other ideas? Paying for things abroad was once so easy with Nationwide!!!
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pete sant
Roda Anorak
Roda Riddler 2008
UNITED - NOT ARROGANT - JUST BETTER
Posts: 6,977
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Post by pete sant on Jan 24, 2011 9:43:33 GMT 2
Hi Becky, i've used the Nationwide card for a few years now and was sad to see them bring in the charges, a few of us looked at other options before christmas and the nationwide still seems one of the better ones even with the charges, i'm going to stay with it for our june visit. If you choose to take cash or travellers cheques you will get a better deal in the village, but if you use cheques you have to carry your passport around with you which has it's own obvious risks. I was thinking of asking Nationwide if i could have my daily limit ( currently 300) raised so that i wouldn't have to visit the hole in the wall as often thereby saving a couple of euros each time. Hope this helps . pete.
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Post by kernowman on Jan 24, 2011 15:55:58 GMT 2
I've also been looking at the options. For us Nationwide became a non starter as the nearest branch is now a 50 mile round trip.(I'm not keen using on-line banking.) I think Caxton is the best of the alternatives although the money saving expert seems to think Fairfax is better. Not according to my calculator though. After all ,What is an "Expert" the best explanation I've been given is -An out of date drip under pressure!!
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Post by becksyj on Feb 2, 2011 0:19:20 GMT 2
having read up on as many different options as possible we are giving the halifax clarity card a go (http://www.halifax.co.uk/creditcards/clarity.asp)....you get free withdrawels at atms on it, however you do pay interest even if you repay in full, but this works out at about £1 per £100, however because we are already halifax customers if we spend over £300 in a month on it we also get £5 cashback, so we worked out for us our £800 spends (based on previous hols), would only cost us about £3-£4 in total, so we thought what the heck we would give it a go....
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Post by kernowman on Feb 2, 2011 21:29:11 GMT 2
I tried the Halifax clarity card last year. Had it set up to use in Corfu ,notified Halifax when I was going to be using it. Only one problem, when I tried to use it to pay for some articles in Corfu Town it was rejected. I cancelled it as soon as we got back to UK
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Post by becksyj on Feb 2, 2011 22:34:32 GMT 2
we will take a spare card just incase (we always do and were so glad of it last year when our transfer to the nationwide account didnt go through for some obscure reason!)
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Post by artisans on Feb 2, 2011 23:46:43 GMT 2
The best value cash card league seems to change regularly as new schemes are introduced and old ones withdrawn. Some of them are far better than others. Fairfx used to be one of the best and now I see Newcastle BS's 'Escape' card being touted. There are comparison charts published online if you have time to look for them.
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Post by kernowman on Apr 12, 2011 12:14:14 GMT 2
I see virtually all of the prepaid cards are Mastercard. Where are the nearest ATM's to Roda where you can withdraw your money?
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Post by artisans on Apr 12, 2011 15:17:48 GMT 2
I would have thought that both of Roda's ATMs would accept Mastercard - I'll check next time I pass.
Steve
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jacks
Roda Anorak
Posts: 3,853
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Post by jacks on Apr 12, 2011 16:53:08 GMT 2
That Escape card sounds good - but I would be terrified to arrive in Roda & be unable to use it! Can you imagine - 2 weeks without money!!! lol
I'd need to live on tap-water & steal all Makis' veggies from his garden! lol
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Post by becksyj on Apr 17, 2011 23:02:47 GMT 2
I see virtually all of the prepaid cards are Mastercard. Where are the nearest ATM's to Roda where you can withdraw your money? i never even thought about whether the atms accepted mastercard - heres hoping they do as the halifax clarity is a master card too.
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Post by kernowman on Apr 18, 2011 20:31:39 GMT 2
I had a Halifax Clarity card last year and couldn't get it to work at the ATM by the Loft car hire office hence my question
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Post by artisans on Apr 18, 2011 22:17:59 GMT 2
I went to both ATMs today, but neither mentions any card by name. I think they may do when you make a transaction so, next time I do that, I will report back.
Steve
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Post by artisans on Apr 19, 2011 15:49:00 GMT 2
I said that I am sure that both the ATMs in Roda take Mastercard - a statement that is reinforced by the fact that Roda's NEW ATM offers Mastercard as one of the options. This is the latest cash machine in the village.
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Post by racheyr on Apr 19, 2011 15:59:53 GMT 2
when did they add this cash machine??? I was at Pirates yesterday and it wasn't there then!!!!!
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