Hi
Going to France in the summer for 4 weeks!! Just dont want to take cash or travellers cheques so have been looking at fairfx euro card to load with money and then use to get out cash and pay for petrol,shopping etc. Just wondered if any of you had used and what you thought of it?
Thanks
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We've just received our Caxton FX cards. The rate is a smidgen worse than Fairfx but there are no fees at all so it will be better value for us. We'll use to withdraw daily cash and use our normal debit card for occasional fuel transactions if we need to use automatic payment machines (as you aren't advised to use prepay cards for these as they "earmark" a large amount of your funds for several days) Fairfx charge E1.50 per withdrawal.
Although, have just checked and the rate for both is 1.12, so Caxton definitely the better deal.
Hi exessexmum
What do you mean about the automatic payment machines for fuel???
Looking at caxtonwe may be better off going with then also as we plan to use the ATM to get the money out daily too.
Thanks
I have used the fairfx card for the last few years in Tuscany and all over France. Is widely accepted and gives good exchange rates. I'll be using it again this year.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
I believe that the Post Office is going to re-introduce their pre paid card; hopefully, this time it will have a proper chip and pin because that was lacking on their old card. It was OK for the ATMs but no use for anything else.
I use the Kalixa and Caxton cards if that's of any use
Quote: Originally posted by deb69ukuk on 15/5/2011
Hi exessexmum What do you mean about the automatic payment machines for fuel??? Looking at caxtonwe may be better off going with then also as we plan to use the ATM to get the money out daily too. Thanks
Post last edited on 15/05/2011 18:43:24
If you use the automated self service petrol pumps at unmanned stations you put your card in before you fuel the car. This means that in theory you could fill your car up with hundreds of pounds worth of fuel and leg it, so what happens is the card company put a "hold" onto, say, 200 Euros of your funds, just until you've completed the transaction and they have successfully taken the correct amount, then they release the "hold" for the 200 Euros. Thing is, this "hold" can take two or three working days to actually come off, which may mean you can't access your money, especially if you do it a few times as 200 Euros a time soon add up.
If you hire a car a similar thing happens, the car hire place put a "hold" on your card for the value of the car in case you leg it. Normally with a credit card it doesn't matter too much, but generally with a prepay card you are looking to use all the funds on it, so will want to get as close to a zero balance before getting home.
Quote: Originally posted by exessexmum on 15/5/2011
We've just received our Caxton FX cards. The rate is a smidgen worse than Fairfx but there are no fees at all so it will be better value for us. We'll use to withdraw daily cash and use our normal debit card for occasional fuel transactions if we need to use automatic payment machines (as you aren't advised to use prepay cards for these as they "earmark" a large amount of your funds for several days) Fairfx charge E1.50 per withdrawal.
Although, have just checked and the rate for both is 1.12, so Caxton definitely the better deal.
.
The only downfall of Caxton was the minimum top up. I think its a 150 euro or something at a time. So you could be left with euros on the card until your next visit.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Got a credit card with no fees - it works in petrol stations without seizing hundreds of euros for several days, works at motorway tolls, works in cash machines, works in shops, doesn't runout of money in awkward situations, doesn't need topping up, let's me pay later instead of paying in advance , doesn't hold over my money when holiday is over, or charge me a fee to get it back.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: fairfx card
