Travelling - Credit Card or Travel Cashcard?

[v15ben]

I'm heading to South East Asia (Singapore/Thailand/Laos/Vietnam) for about 3 weeks in August and I'm unsure what is the best option to carry my cash.

I have a credit card with a limit that'll allow me enough to pay for everything I'll use overseas then pay it back at the end of the trip. I've also got a Nationwide account with reasonably cheap overseas ATM withdrawls. I could use a combination of these two without needing any new accounts/cards.

However I have heard good things about cashcards like Canton and Fair FX.

My question is what experiences do PHers have of the best methods of payment in Asia? I am going for 3 weeks so not sure if a cashcard is worth it when realistically I won't incur too many ATM/credit card charges with the relatively small number of transactions I'll do in 3 weeks. Not sure which of the options offers the best exchange rates/fees.

Any thoughts?

[rsv gone!]

I just use my Nationwide ATM card.

[v15ben]

rsv gone! said:

I just use my Nationwide ATM card.

I use them for European trips as withdrawls are still free. How much do they charge outside Europe? All the countries I'm visiting are chargeable for ATM withdrawls on their website but it doesn't give the fee/percentage charged!

[Engineer1]

make sure you also take some local currency, it's one thing to have no cash when you know where the nearest cashpoint is it's completely different when you don't know where the cashpoint is and don't even speak the local language.

[Pothole]

v15ben said:

rsv gone! said:

I just use my Nationwide ATM card.

I use them for European trips as withdrawls are still free. How much do they charge outside Europe? All the countries I'm visiting are chargeable for ATM withdrawls on their website but it doesn't give the fee/percentage charged!

I've never been charged for Nationwide ATM WDs. Have they recently changed the rules?

[v15ben]

IIRC they changed them last year so that all European withdrawls remain free, but anything beyond that is chargeable. They have a list of whihc countries are free and which are not on their website.

Good advice on the local currency, will certainly grab a bit before I fly.

[firman]

We have just opened a Nationwide account for going travelling and the charges for withdrawals outside Europe is 0.84%. Been told it is the most recommended for travellers.

[v15ben]

Christ that is a good rate. Looks like that question has been answered then! ATM withdrawls with Nationwide and the odd larger purchase (domestic flights etc) on the credit card
Just need some money in the accounts to cover the cost now

Edited by v15ben on Sunday 11th April 21:14

[firman]

v15ben said:

Christ that is a good rate. Looks like that question has been answered then! ATM withdrawls with Nationwide and the odd larger purchase (domestic flights etc) on the credit card
Just need some money in the accounts to cover the cost now

Edited by v15ben on Sunday 11th April 21:14

Yeah spent the last year getting the money into the bank for a 10 month trip! Nationwide were really helpful with us too account was opened in 10 mins and they even threw in a credit card for good measure!

[v15ben]

Sounds like an awesome trip. I'm going for about 13 months, but mainly to work as an English teacher so won't be using the ol' Nationwide card too much except for those first 3 weeks. Where are you heading to?

[firman]

v15ben said:

Sounds like an awesome trip. I'm going for about 13 months, but mainly to work as an English teacher so won't be using the ol' Nationwide card too much except for those first 3 weeks. Where are you heading to?

Start on the 1st of may in India covering Dheli, Agra and Jaipur then we fly off to south of Vietnam travelling overland to the north then through Laos into Thailand and down to Bangkok over the space of 2 and a bit months then over to Singapore for 2 weeks before flying to Sydney and spending 3 months going overland to Cairns then fly to Auckland and have 3 month exploring New Zealand Then 10 days in Raratonga and a week in L.A before home and breathe!

[v15ben]

Jealous
I've been to a few of the places on that list and they are all amazing

[rsv gone!]

v15ben said:

rsv gone! said:

I just use my Nationwide ATM card.

I use them for European trips as withdrawls are still free. How much do they charge outside Europe? All the countries I'm visiting are chargeable for ATM withdrawls on their website but it doesn't give the fee/percentage charged!

They have a small fee but it is still much less than anyone else's. And they don't load the exchange rates.