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Post by donnylad on Jul 15, 2020 17:19:07 GMT 2
Hi all. I've watched this forum for many years and have only just got round to joining lol. We have been coming to Greece for well over thirty years now, many different places. We have stayed in quite a few resorts on Corfu over the years, and have been in Roda for the last Six years. I have always brought plenty of 'cash' with me and not bothered with using bank or travel cards. I was just wondering this year if Taverna/Reastaurants/Shops etc are still happy with cash or do they prefer card/contactless etc as seems to be the preferred way now in the U.K. We were originally booked in Fiona again this year but as that is not opening we are now booked into the Afrodite in August. Looking forward to it and meeting up with many old friends etc.
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Post by janiemou on Jul 16, 2020 9:20:31 GMT 2
The corona virus has certainly sped up the use of cards and contactless payments here, but cash is still readily taken. It all depends on what your bank charges are for overseas payments or withdrawals from ATM's, remembering that every ATM charges for them now and generally limits how much you can take out at once, also always take the euro option when asked. You have provided me with a perfect chance to remind people to steer well clear of the EURONET ATM's their charges are steep and the rate of exchange is very poor, not to be confused with EUROBANK which is a genuine bank. I used a euro card out here such as Fairfx (Equals) or Transferwise where your card can be used as a debit card and you can remove up to around €800 at an ATM and only incur 1 fee, your bank may restrict you to €300 per transaction. Look out for banks that give you a euro account if you are a frequent visitor, such as Starling, where you get the interbank rate when you use it. The days of having travellers cheques are long gone now.
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Post by janiemou on Jul 16, 2020 15:44:39 GMT 2
Hi all. I've watched this forum for many years and have only just got round to joining lol. We have been coming to Greece for well over thirty years now, many different places. We have stayed in quite a few resorts on Corfu over the years, and have been in Roda for the last Six years. I have always brought plenty of 'cash' with me and not bothered with using bank or travel cards. I was just wondering this year if Taverna/Reastaurants/Shops etc are still happy with cash or do they prefer card/contactless etc as seems to be the preferred way now in the U.K. We were originally booked in Fiona again this year but as that is not opening we are now booked into the Afrodite in August. Looking forward to it and meeting up with many old friends etc. Hi Donnylad, I should have said welcome to the forum this morning sorry Jan
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maudy2
Roda Probationer
Posts: 17
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Post by maudy2 on Jul 17, 2020 9:49:10 GMT 2
I've actually been looking into this lately and Starling Bank is recommended by MSE and has no fee at all and you are protected by the FCA which some cards are not.
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Post by janiemou on Jul 17, 2020 11:37:24 GMT 2
My neighbour using the Starling card and is very happy with it as they send a text every time the card is used so it would be easy to monitor any unusual use.
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maudy2
Roda Probationer
Posts: 17
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Post by maudy2 on Jul 17, 2020 17:00:54 GMT 2
Yes there is an app which you can download to your phone and it gives real time alerts which is great.
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