We took out a Fairfx Pre paid Mastercard this year as recommended by Martin Lewis Website. Fantastic exchange rates and ease of use, also you can set up access through the mobile for top ups and account balance, you can even retreive your pin no. the card lasts for three years so you can leave you outstanding balance on it and when the card expires a new one is issued and the balance transfered
We took out a Fairfx Pre paid Mastercard this year as recommended by Martin Lewis Website. Fantastic exchange rates and ease of use, also you can set up access through the mobile for top ups and account balance, you can even retreive your pin no. the card lasts for three years so you can leave you outstanding balance on it and when the card expires a new one is issued and the balance transfered
What a lot of replies. Thank you v much. I checked out the money saving supermarket and have gone for the Farfx card. I am starting with a card to hold my daughters holiday money and I am going to get another to hold some of our money.
Now I've just got to sort out some individual med insurance, the E11 forms have been requested and I have just sent off the cheque to pay for the holiday.
The count-down clicker is now into double figures not treble and we are all starting to begin to feel excited about the prospect of going on holiday.
I want to be there now, I know it won't be too hot but....
------------- sueze
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Surely the downside to these pre-paid cards is that you have to keep a record of how much you have spent off it. Unlike travellers cheques which are like having the cash in your hand and replaceable.
Very few places charge commission to change currency back nowadays, providing you bought it from them in the first place.
Hello,
I am looking for different ways to hold money whilst on holiday. After one year where the bank buggered up and blocked our card despite being told when we were going abroad, I now don't trust my bank or other cards to completely deliver on service. I also think it is sensible not to keep all your money in one place (or under the passenger seat so to speak).
Regarding keeping tabs on your money, surely that's not so difficult. You could do a round up to the nearest Euro and TRY NOT TO PANIC.
I thought going on holiday was supposed to be fun(?) and the money saved was there to aid the fun and relaxation in what ever form you take it.
Mitto- I did try to get a Nationwide card which gave you a no charge use, but this recently changed , so I too am looking. Money saving supermarket is quite informative though and I will go back to them.
------------- sueze
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
I have been using the fairfx card for 3years, just got my second one, with no problems at all. The 300 euros left from last year are a starter for thisnyears holiday. I save on it all year and buy when the rates look good, even over the winter. I prefer to have my holiday money upfront and only use my credit card for emergencies-we are not all disciplined about paying off our credit cards when we come home lol! also, it's not hard to keep a record of your spending, keep receipts, or a quick jot down in a notebook, or as I do, every few days get balance texted to me (yes, I know there is a 50p charge for this but still worth it)!
Quote: Originally posted by keeby on 18/6/2011
Surely the downside to these pre-paid cards is that you have to keep a record of how much you have spent off it. Unlike travellers cheques which are like having the cash in your hand and replaceable.
Very few places charge commission to change currency back nowadays, providing you bought it from them in the first place.
You can log on to your account at CaxtonFX and look at your recent transactions and balance. We have a little notebook in the glove compartment where we keep a running total in case we dont hit a wifi hotspot.
We recently opened up a Norwich & Peterborough Gold Light Current Account to get free access to our money abroad. I have set up 5 small direct debits transferring money into it once a month & before we go on holiday we'll transfer an amount that will cover our expenditure when on our holidays.
Can the prepaid FairFx card be used in Supermarkets and petrol stations plus where ever chip and pin is used or only at Atms?
thanks
Karende
You can use it anywhere just like a debit credit card except for the card lane on the toll autoroutes. Toll machines dont like them for some reason. I would also be careful about using them in automatic petrol pumps. They put a 100 euro "shadow" debit on the card which could tie 100 euros up for several days. Not good if you need it.
Like Berriow, we are using the Halifax Clarity card for purchases and cash withdrawals. We have set up DDs to pay the cards (we have one each) in full every month, so only the cash incurs interest, and this works out at about £1 per £100 for a month.
Just back from a 2 month trip abroad, so once all the bills are paid I will post the costs.
As Halifax account holders, we also get £5 each "reward" each month if we spend £300 on our cards.
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: Pre paid foreign currency cards
