"Cash passport" loadable credit cards...
Discussion
...Anyone used them?
Planning a trip to Peru and don't think I want to be doing my usual trick of withdrawing £200 at a time from cash machines since the risk of robbery seems rather higher than my usual jaunts. Plus, I'm with LTSB so they charge LOTS to do so (£2.50 foreign ATM fee, conversion loading etc).
How well do the cash passport/similar cards work? The only problem I forsee from when I considered them last time is that there'd have to be a conversion from dollars if I made any ATM withdrawals, which might cancel the benefits.
And on a side note, how exactly DOES one replace credit cards, etc abroad? I am very sensible about such matters, I generally have at least 4/5 cards on me scattered around my belongings, moneybelt, baggage and an emergency cash reserve stashed, but all the same... My main concern is that only certain cards might work in ATMs which would quickly become a problem.
Ta!
Planning a trip to Peru and don't think I want to be doing my usual trick of withdrawing £200 at a time from cash machines since the risk of robbery seems rather higher than my usual jaunts. Plus, I'm with LTSB so they charge LOTS to do so (£2.50 foreign ATM fee, conversion loading etc).
How well do the cash passport/similar cards work? The only problem I forsee from when I considered them last time is that there'd have to be a conversion from dollars if I made any ATM withdrawals, which might cancel the benefits.
And on a side note, how exactly DOES one replace credit cards, etc abroad? I am very sensible about such matters, I generally have at least 4/5 cards on me scattered around my belongings, moneybelt, baggage and an emergency cash reserve stashed, but all the same... My main concern is that only certain cards might work in ATMs which would quickly become a problem.
Ta!
Looking at it, on the Travelex one I'd be charged a 2pc fee to load a card with Sterling, no ATM fees but obviously there'd be a conversion applied at the foreign ATM. No fees for dollars, but then I'd be doing a double conversion. Although I can probably pay for some touristy things with bucks.
I have the CaxtonFX Euro Traveller and Global Traveller cards. Not been charged a fee for using them anywhere, not even in Guatemala where everyone else was being charged by the ATM machine... let me use my Global traveller fee free!
And to answer the rest of your post... (or try at least!):
You can get two Caxton FX cards on the same account - so leave one card in the safe at the hotel, one card on you. If one gets stolen/cloned, cancel it, use the other one.
You only need to load it with what you need for that day/period (minimum £100 I think). You can load it via website or via text message (as well as get current balance etc). The text method worked a treat in Belize and Guatemala
The Global card is loaded in Sterling, and you get the exchange rate of the day that you withdraw from the cash point (2.75% below the prevailing rate apparently!).
They're Visa cards so you will be able to use in Peru no probs.
With regards to getting a replacement while abroad, i'm not sure. But worst case, you would have your normal debit card somewhere else on your person so could revert to that in emergencies.
And to answer the rest of your post... (or try at least!):
You can get two Caxton FX cards on the same account - so leave one card in the safe at the hotel, one card on you. If one gets stolen/cloned, cancel it, use the other one.
You only need to load it with what you need for that day/period (minimum £100 I think). You can load it via website or via text message (as well as get current balance etc). The text method worked a treat in Belize and Guatemala
The Global card is loaded in Sterling, and you get the exchange rate of the day that you withdraw from the cash point (2.75% below the prevailing rate apparently!).
They're Visa cards so you will be able to use in Peru no probs.
With regards to getting a replacement while abroad, i'm not sure. But worst case, you would have your normal debit card somewhere else on your person so could revert to that in emergencies.
Edited by Wolff on Tuesday 27th August 22:48
Thanks so much, that was really useful information, having looked at the CaxtonFX website the global card looks absolutely ideal and should save me a lot of money against my debit card as there's no cash advance fee other than the 2.75% loading (Which to be honest I think the bank adds as well!). This will also hopefully mean I can make smaller ATM withdrawals.
The only thing they are a bit quiet on is theft replacement, the Travelex one makes a big thing about this but I suppose the Caxton card's a different market.
Anyway, good tip and will apply now
The only thing they are a bit quiet on is theft replacement, the Travelex one makes a big thing about this but I suppose the Caxton card's a different market.
Anyway, good tip and will apply now
Another vote for Caxton (Euro, Dollar, or Global).
No worries about it getting stolen as I never have more than £150 on it. It takes less than 15 seconds to top up by text. So you could conceivably be out of funds when you go into a shop to buy something and load the card to pay for your stuff while its being wrapped.
No worries about it getting stolen as I never have more than £150 on it. It takes less than 15 seconds to top up by text. So you could conceivably be out of funds when you go into a shop to buy something and load the card to pay for your stuff while its being wrapped.
I've got a CaxtonFX card.
The only issues I've had with it are:
1) Sometimes it is not accepted, I had troubles in a WalMart in the States (a 'normal' card worked) and at some toll booths in France.
2) The first big trip I did with it, I loaded it up with my entire spending money budget and spent less than expected. The fees for removing money once back in the UK are pretty high, so I left the money on there until the next foreign trip.
3) The trip after that saw me trying to add money to the card whilst at Gatwick, I'd got a new bank card and it wouldn't work and their helpdesk said it was because my addresses didn't match and to sort it out with my bank (probably some 'computer says no' difference around "Flat xxx" vs "xxx <Building Name>") so I couldn't use it that trip.
In conclusion: Don't preload too much, top it up as you go, but have a normal credit card with you as backup.
The only issues I've had with it are:
1) Sometimes it is not accepted, I had troubles in a WalMart in the States (a 'normal' card worked) and at some toll booths in France.
2) The first big trip I did with it, I loaded it up with my entire spending money budget and spent less than expected. The fees for removing money once back in the UK are pretty high, so I left the money on there until the next foreign trip.
3) The trip after that saw me trying to add money to the card whilst at Gatwick, I'd got a new bank card and it wouldn't work and their helpdesk said it was because my addresses didn't match and to sort it out with my bank (probably some 'computer says no' difference around "Flat xxx" vs "xxx <Building Name>") so I couldn't use it that trip.
In conclusion: Don't preload too much, top it up as you go, but have a normal credit card with you as backup.
Truckosaurus said:
I've got a CaxtonFX card.
The only issues I've had with it are:
1) Sometimes it is not accepted, I had troubles in a WalMart in the States (a 'normal' card worked) and at some toll booths in France.
In conclusion: Don't preload too much, top it up as you go, but have a normal credit card with you as backup.
Their website specifically says that it won't be accepted at most Motorway toll booths:The only issues I've had with it are:
1) Sometimes it is not accepted, I had troubles in a WalMart in the States (a 'normal' card worked) and at some toll booths in France.
In conclusion: Don't preload too much, top it up as you go, but have a normal credit card with you as backup.
"Avoid using your prepaid card at Toll booths
Caxton FX prepaid cards require a merchant to seek authorisation before they provide the goods or services. The majority of European toll roads and bridges do not seek an authorisation and therefore you can't use your Caxton FX prepaid card at most toll booths"
Interesting about Walmart though - wonder if its for the same reason. Off to the states in a fortnight, so will keep that in mind
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