Thomas Cook Debit Cards...
Discussion
Anyone got any more info?
I'm traveling without parents for the first time tomorrow, going with 5 other mates to Greece. Now i went to get some euro's and the rather rude women at the desk was pushing really hard to sell me one of these pre paid cash cards.
Now first of all, what's the benefit of this over using my own debit card?
I obviously don't want to take just all cash, and the cash card costs 2 euro everytime you use it! WTF.
Advice guys?
I'm 17 btw so doubt that i have a Overdraft..
I'm traveling without parents for the first time tomorrow, going with 5 other mates to Greece. Now i went to get some euro's and the rather rude women at the desk was pushing really hard to sell me one of these pre paid cash cards.
Now first of all, what's the benefit of this over using my own debit card?
I obviously don't want to take just all cash, and the cash card costs 2 euro everytime you use it! WTF.
Advice guys?
I'm 17 btw so doubt that i have a Overdraft..
Not sure of the exact details of the card but they pushed it hard recently when I was in there.
As you are going to Greece like I did my reservation was that hardly any places in Greece accept credit/debit cards. They like cash as they like to avoid paying tax! Partly why their economy is in such a mess now.
When we were on the Greek Island of Sifnos no restaurants would take a card so we had traditional travellers cheques and could change them in banks, post offices or car hire offices.
Obviously if you do take your own debit card you can withdraw cash but check how much your card will cost. Moneyexpert site has a break down of individual card costs per withdrawl. Was a useful site as it highlighted we would get hammered using our current card so moved some money over to a better account we had before we left and used that card.
As you are going to Greece like I did my reservation was that hardly any places in Greece accept credit/debit cards. They like cash as they like to avoid paying tax! Partly why their economy is in such a mess now.
When we were on the Greek Island of Sifnos no restaurants would take a card so we had traditional travellers cheques and could change them in banks, post offices or car hire offices.
Obviously if you do take your own debit card you can withdraw cash but check how much your card will cost. Moneyexpert site has a break down of individual card costs per withdrawl. Was a useful site as it highlighted we would get hammered using our current card so moved some money over to a better account we had before we left and used that card.
Edited by JAM35F on Thursday 15th July 13:36
I use these whenever I go away.
In the USA it was brilliant - all large-ish purchases went on it (it's a VISA card) It wasn't refused anywhere.
Got cash out periodically from ATMs. Again, no problems.
I then got a Euro one when I went to Cyprus a couple of weeks ago. Again, no problems using it, really handy.
You can use your debit card but there are 3 factors:
1. If you get the Thomas Cook card, all your money is transferred at the rate on offer there and then. You know where you are with your money
2. Debit cards can charge more commission for withdrawals abroad - I know mine would
3. Even if you inform them beforehand, sometimes your card doesn't work abroad. A friend of mine went to Vietnam having pre-advised his bank he was going only to find he couldn't withdraw anything from any ATMs....
I also like to leave my debit card at home so I don't lose it and can't spend more than I want to!!
In the USA it was brilliant - all large-ish purchases went on it (it's a VISA card) It wasn't refused anywhere.
Got cash out periodically from ATMs. Again, no problems.
I then got a Euro one when I went to Cyprus a couple of weeks ago. Again, no problems using it, really handy.
You can use your debit card but there are 3 factors:
1. If you get the Thomas Cook card, all your money is transferred at the rate on offer there and then. You know where you are with your money
2. Debit cards can charge more commission for withdrawals abroad - I know mine would
3. Even if you inform them beforehand, sometimes your card doesn't work abroad. A friend of mine went to Vietnam having pre-advised his bank he was going only to find he couldn't withdraw anything from any ATMs....
I also like to leave my debit card at home so I don't lose it and can't spend more than I want to!!
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