Holiday spending... best way?
Discussion
I travel abroad about 3 times a month, and Revolut has been a lifesaver. So quick and easy. I love the way, unlike say Halifax Clarity (which I also have and used pre Revolut), you buy your foreign currency on the app pre trip, so your day to day spending is actually in dollars/euros/whatever.
My only issue is that in Argentina you couldn't buy the currency on the app, but I soon realised that you wouldn't want to anyway because by changing up pounds sterling cash for Argentinian pesos in cash at a non govt cambio, everything is half the price than paying by card. You get 1100 pesos to the £ instead of 400 pesos to the £ on your card.
My only issue is that in Argentina you couldn't buy the currency on the app, but I soon realised that you wouldn't want to anyway because by changing up pounds sterling cash for Argentinian pesos in cash at a non govt cambio, everything is half the price than paying by card. You get 1100 pesos to the £ instead of 400 pesos to the £ on your card.
C69 said:
That very much depends on which bank your Mastercard is with.
First Direct recently scrapped foreign currency payment fees for its Mastercard debit card, for example. Furthermore, the exchange rate is calculated without any additional charges.
However, if your bank imposes high fees, then you could consider something like the Currensea Mastercard debit card. It's linked to your existing current account via Open Banking.
I do have a FD debit and credit card. I see the debit card is all free but the credit isn't and I prefer to use a credit card abroad. Shame as using my existing FD credit would have been perfect.First Direct recently scrapped foreign currency payment fees for its Mastercard debit card, for example. Furthermore, the exchange rate is calculated without any additional charges.
However, if your bank imposes high fees, then you could consider something like the Currensea Mastercard debit card. It's linked to your existing current account via Open Banking.
mikeiow said:
Am I the only person here who would check at https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/tra... for the best travel cards?...
Good point. I just tried it and it looks like my existing Creation credit card is all free so have queried that with them to be sure. OS this might be my easiest answer.Scarletpimpofnel said:
C69 said:
That very much depends on which bank your Mastercard is with.
First Direct recently scrapped foreign currency payment fees for its Mastercard debit card, for example. Furthermore, the exchange rate is calculated without any additional charges.
However, if your bank imposes high fees, then you could consider something like the Currensea Mastercard debit card. It's linked to your existing current account via Open Banking.
I do have a FD debit and credit card. I see the debit card is all free but the credit isn't and I prefer to use a credit card abroad. Shame as using my existing FD credit would have been perfect.First Direct recently scrapped foreign currency payment fees for its Mastercard debit card, for example. Furthermore, the exchange rate is calculated without any additional charges.
However, if your bank imposes high fees, then you could consider something like the Currensea Mastercard debit card. It's linked to your existing current account via Open Banking.
As most have found, you hardly need to carry cash these days. Maybe order a small amount via the PO if you really want physical cash.
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