Best way to get funds off a US debit card?

[Funk]

I have around $2k sat on a US pre-paid debit card which charges per transaction. What would be the best way of getting it into GBP without multiple transactions and at a reasonable exchange rate?

[davepoth]

Does it have an expiry date?

[Funk]

I'd have to check.

[Boozy]

I live in the US, post it to me and I'll see you right.

[Saleen836]

Can you use it to make a single payment towards your mortgage or another debt?

[Funk]

davepoth said:

Does it have an expiry date?

12/2018 - I suppose it's doing no harm sat there for the time being.

I have a savings account paying 5% gross interest which is about to mature and I can open a new one shortly so was planning to put the money to use a little better and use it to open the new account and paying in the max each month for the next few months or chuck it into an ISA. Or just blow it all on a night of Aerofoil-esque strippers and coke. So many choices...

Saleen836 said:

Can you use it to make a single payment towards your mortgage or another debt?

That's not a bad shout - although it would be at whatever FX rate the card issuer decides on the day plus the transaction fee. I could chuck it at the mortgage, no other debts at all.

I could just not quibble over a few quid and withdraw it in cash this end through a cashpoint, I might be able to withdraw the whole lot in one go - I won't know until I actually try it though. I just wondered if there was a simpler way of being in control of the FX rate and avoiding per-transaction costs. Even checking the balance at a cashpoint is chargeable - we've become far to used to 'free' banking in the UK...!

Edit: Holy crap, Aerofoil's escapades were nine years ago... Where has the time gone?

Edited by Funk on Wednesday 1st March 12:58

[anonymous-user]

buy something and get it shipped over here :-)

[Funk]

Thought about that too but there's nothing I need at the moment!

[xjay1337]

Can you not create a Paypal account with the card set as a funding source?

[Funk]

xjay1337 said:

Can you not create a Paypal account with the card set as a funding source?

I thought about that - I have a PayPal account - but are PayPal's exchange rates any good? It would probably be the easiest solution though.

[xjay1337]

Funk said:

I thought about that - I have a PayPal account - but are PayPal's exchange rates any good? It would probably be the easiest solution though.

Compare to XE.Com

I wouldn't have thought they would have been "THAT" bad otherwise swap the card with a friend in America and have them direct transfer you the money.

I would just use Paypal if it were me.

[menguin]

Western Union aren't too bad - competitive exchange rate and low fees so long as you send it as a bank transfer rather than cash. You can see the rate you'll get and the exact cost for transfer. Worth a look.