Interestingly, if you look at some of the currency exchange websites, for advance orders, they're offering an exchange rate of 1.17 for purchases to be delivered in August 2009 - so that look's like the 'wheeler-dealers' are predicting a small upward rise in the pound against the euro. I still think I'll stick to my Nationwide card, with no fee to pay to purchase it in the first place, my money earning interest in the meantime (???) and no withdrawal fees for ATM's.
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Quote: Originally posted by happybonzo on 10/2/2009
It strikes me that these cards are really aimed at people who do not have Debit/credit cards
I am not being flippant but are there many people who go camping in Europe who don't have them? I just wonder how they would get the cash card charged with more money?
I think they're aimed mainly at people who still think in terms of 'Which is best, Traveller's Cheques or exchanging cash at the Bank.......?' I'm not trying to be derogatory to those who've posted on here stating they have one of these cards - but I do think this is the market they're aiming for. You see lots of postings on these forums asking this question about exchanging money, where those of us who've been going to France for years just get cash out, or spend on cards, like you do at home. I don't think I've been in a French bank in the last fifteen years - but I can still remember what a nuisance it was trying to find one that was open!
Quote: Originally posted by David Klyne on 10/2/2009
Quote: Originally posted by happybonzo on 10/2/2009
It strikes me that these cards are really aimed at people who do not have Debit/credit cards
I am not being flippant but are there many people who go camping in Europe who don't have them? I just wonder how they would get the cash card charged with more money?
What they do is leave the card number with their pals and they charge the card up when the Giro turns up. Just go and have a look around the Costas; plenty of Single mums and feral brit kids there - now you know how its done
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Quote: Originally posted by Val A on 10/2/2009
Interestingly, if you look at some of the currency exchange websites, for advance orders, they're offering an exchange rate of 1.17 for purchases to be delivered in August 2009 - so that look's like the 'wheeler-dealers' are predicting a small upward rise in the pound against the euro.
I am sure that you are right Val - The Euro has not been brought down in level with other World currencies. Will the European Central Bank keep the rate as it is until September? I would not be surprised as they have done it before.
Thanks for all the input, some very interesting points. Regarding the debit card are you saying it is just as cheap and easy to use one of these for withdrawing cash out in Europe?
I normally spend on credit card in France and take enough euros with me to cover what I need. But as we are going to various countries in Europe for 2 months I wanted a card which I could put my money in first and and use it to withdraw cash and use it to purchase with. I could use credit card but I will not be able to pay balance until we return and I don't really want to do this.
I am still leaning towards FairFX card as some of your comments ar fairly positive.
We travelled round Europe last year for 6 weeks and used our Nationwide card all the time and did not not have any problems. We will do the same again this year.
Margaret
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Quote: Originally posted by judas_hill on 10/2/2009
We travelled round Europe last year for 6 weeks and used our Nationwide card all the time and did not not have any problems. We will do the same again this year.
Margaret
The problem with the Nationwide card is you must have an account with them. I will certainly consider opening one just to get a card if you think this is the better option.
we have our main account with Halifax, we also have a Flex account with Nationwide which we use abroad as Val said. The NW account will give you a cash card, possibly also a debit card. Then you can apply for their credit card. We also have the NW e saver.
We have a direct debit from our Halifax account that pays off the whole credit card balance every month, but that could just as easily be done from the NW account. it would depend on where your regular income comes into. most of our savings are with Halifax too, so it is easy to transfer funds to pay the CC if required, all done by internet banking.
we put our spending money into the NW accounts for getting cash out, and also have our Halifax card and a second credit card with us in case anything goes wrong with the NW ones.
As we have our daughter at home to transfer money for us, we leave the bulk in the e saver and she keeps the Flex account topped up as required. Otherwise we would need internet access now and again, or just leave the full amount in the Flex account to start with.
It does take a while to set it all up, so if you plan to do it, start a few months before you go.
We spent 3 months away in Europe in 2007 and it worked well.
I can see that for someone who wants to micro manage their finances these cards could be a good idea, especially if you are well disciplined. I have come to the conclusion that its not even good value to buy euros here in the UK before you go abroad as using a Nationwide card or similar will get you a better rate of exchange. I have always banked with Natwest and Margaret with Nationwide and the difference in costs between the two when taking money out abroad is staggering. In future I intend to transfer money from my account to Margaret and use her NW card in the ATM. Last year we went away for 9 weeks and hope to do te same this year. I always have my laptop and use internet banking to run the various bank and credit card ccounts as if I was at home.
Marilyn, using a Nationwide debit card means you can use it in any ATM, in Europe of further afield, and there's no transaction charge, and no commission - and you don't have to pay £9.95 up front for the card, or £1.50 for each withdrawal of cash as you do with this Fairfx card. We put our holiday spending money into our Nationwide account, and just use the debit card for cash withdrawals, and for spending in shops and supermarkets, using the Chip and Pin just like you would at home! The account pays interest too, and we've just earned 14p from the small balance we left in the account!!!!
It's so easy these days - gone are the days of carrying lots of cash, and finding banks to change it. The only fly in the ointment is at the very occasional (one last year) supermarket you may also be asked for some ID, so we make sure we have something with us which will do.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
I have one but haven't used it yet. I got it in November as we're off to a farm in Germany next summer which will be 400 Euros and I wanted to know exactly what the the holiday would cost us (I had budgeted that the two month council tax break would cover accommodation and ferry and really wanted to stick to that). Glad I did now as I got an exchange rate of 1.2 ish and the pound went down sharply afterwards and . Even if it goes back up and maybe higher by the summer I'm pleased I did it as the accommodation is a fixed cost unlike things like food, sight seeing etc. It's for things like this that I think the Fairfx card is useful.
It strikes me that these cards are really aimed at people who do not have Debit/credit cards
What they do is leave the card number with their pals and they charge the card up when the Giro turns up. Just go and have a look around the Costas; plenty of Single mums and feral brit kids there - now you know how its done
I'm really disappointed at the above responses as I thought this forum was about campers from all walks of life and that all views were valued if not always necesarily agreed with! And no, I'm not a single parent, dont have feral kids, dont holiday on the costas and dont receive benefits. I also have, and use, credit and debit cards. What I do though, like kittypickle above, is I like to know in advance how much money I have exactly for holidays as having a self-employed husband and working in the public sector myself I know that especially in this financial climate things can go up and down and I like to be prepared. So benefits to both the Nationwide and Fairfx card. Thanks to the good advice received from the posts I have already applied online for the Nationwide card and will also use that as a back up.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Has anyone got a FairFX card
