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Post by jonnylitts on May 23, 2016 10:26:32 GMT
I'll probably be mostly using my no charge credit card but obviously need cash while we're out there. This company always gives the best rates. (You order online and can collect from loads of places) www.no1currency.com I've used them in the past and had no problems. £450 gets you €11 more than m&s |
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Post by manulike on May 23, 2016 11:25:02 GMT
Excellent advice. Thanks. That's a very decent rate of 1.2666There are many websites on the Money Saving Expert site - but (after fees) their actual rate is closer to 1.24 The only site that seems to be slightly better is THIS SITE, where DEBENHAMS will issue you with a £5 voucher - so with this voucher included ( only if the amount converted is less than £100) you are still ok. Convert more and you gain less advantage! £5 off £20 spend voucher terms: †Offer applies to online affiliate customers who present this voucher at the bureau. Minimum Travel money purchase of £50 applies. VOUCHER VALID ON DAY OF PURCHASE ONLY. £20 minimum spend required against the voucher. Only one gift card given per person per week. Debenhams reserves the right to change these terms or cancel the promotion at any time on reasonable notice. Finally, any opinions about the various MULTI CURRENCY CASH PASSPORT or CASH TRAVEL CARDS?
www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/prepaid-travel-cards
From what I understand, MasterCard is the main promoter, you lock yourself on to a specific rate by buying XX amount of Euros and simply loading it onto the card. This is then accepted by many places in France as a DEBIT CARD would be in the UK. The ladies that I spoke to told me that big supermarkets in France will also give you CASH ADVANCE on them, just like here in the UK. Most companies issue you with multiple cards, if required as well as give you the assurance of cancelling it online as well as topping it up online - when needed... I am still waiting for the Euro to get closer to 1.28 for this - fat chance, probably! |
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Post by Gary Williams on May 23, 2016 11:29:36 GMT
If Anyone traveling through Heathrow for sweden friendly or going to france
You can use ICE at heathrow one of the best but you must order in advance no need to pay but you must have voucher to get best rates
there are two companies in London which give best rates in UK ICE and thomas exchange but like i said both need a voucher to access these rates
Like manulike said for the regions no1 currency is best but will be a little less than the above
Use money supermarket and when selecting distance select all when using welsh postcode and you will see rates and links on how to order and some of these will delivery but your money not protected so risk if company went bust before getting cash thats why prefer doing in person theyre and then
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Post by sleepy on May 23, 2016 12:30:12 GMT
Excellent advice. Thanks. That's a very decent rate of 1.2666There are many websites on the Money Saving Expert site - but (after fees) their actual rate is closer to 1.24 The only site that seems to be slightly better is THIS SITE, where DEBENHAMS will issue you with a £5 voucher - so with this voucher included ( only if the amount converted is less than £100) you are still ok. Convert more and you gain less advantage! £5 off £20 spend voucher terms: †Offer applies to online affiliate customers who present this voucher at the bureau. Minimum Travel money purchase of £50 applies. VOUCHER VALID ON DAY OF PURCHASE ONLY. £20 minimum spend required against the voucher. Only one gift card given per person per week. Debenhams reserves the right to change these terms or cancel the promotion at any time on reasonable notice. Finally, any opinions about the various MULTI CURRENCY CASH PASSPORT or CASH TRAVEL CARDS?
www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/prepaid-travel-cards
From what I understand, MasterCard is the main promoter, you lock yourself on to a specific rate by buying XX amount of Euros and simply loading it onto the card. This is then accepted by many places in France as a DEBIT CARD would be in the UK. The ladies that I spoke to told me that big supermarkets in France will also give you CASH ADVANCE on them, just like here in the UK. Most companies issue you with multiple cards, if required as well as give you the assurance of cancelling it online as well as topping it up online - when needed... I am still waiting for the Euro to get closer to 1.28 for this - fat chance, probably! Travel House and Ramsdens in Carmarthen were both offering 1.28 on Thursday last week, when the bankrate had spiked to over 1.30. |
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Post by mregg on May 23, 2016 15:28:13 GMT
I have used ICICI in the past, got good rates there.
Have used my Travelex Supercard for the last year, however their trial is coming to an end.
I have applied for a Curve card, so hopefully that will turn up before travel.
Curve cards allows me to link other cards. As I collect airmiles, I can link my Amex. Withdraw from a cashpoint & collect Avios miles without the transaction being classed as a cash withdrawn.
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Post by mongrel on May 23, 2016 15:35:34 GMT
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Post by bluetone on May 23, 2016 17:15:13 GMT
I just got €1.2684 form the Post Office, no charges with a Debit Card and they'll deliver to your house or collect from a chosen Post Office.
I also got my Swedish money with the same order.
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Post by manulike on May 23, 2016 21:58:45 GMT
I just got €1.2684 form the Post Office, no charges with a Debit Card and they'll deliver to your house or collect from a chosen Post Office. I also got my Swedish money with the same order. The official euro rate at the post office this afternoon in Cardiff was 1.24. I asked the lady what is the rate if I buy one of their travel cards and she said, in theory its 1.24, but she can go up to 1.26. I then told her that No1currency, 50 yards away, is offering 1.2666 - and she said she will match it ... Was thinking I was back in India their for a moment... Still didn't buy, though... |
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Post by ontheroadagain on May 23, 2016 22:02:22 GMT
I'll probably be mostly using my no charge credit card but obviously need cash while we're out there. This company always gives the best rates. (You order online and can collect from loads of places) www.no1currency.com I've used them in the past and had no problems. £450 gets you €11 more than m&s I have used these in the past as well. The staff even told me to reserve on line for better rates. Also there is a branch within a 6 minute walk of the Portsmouth Ferry Port. |
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Post by manulike on May 24, 2016 10:58:51 GMT
I cant say this is the ultimate deal - but this is certainly the one I just went for. Fairfx Card, if you click through from the MoneySavingExpert site - www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/prepaid-travel-cards Today's Euro rate is 1.2766 If you buy more than £600 worth you get £20 added credit ... Thus, making an actual rate of 1.32 when buying £601 on the card!So I just paid £581 and will receive €€767.24 If you prefer to buy less than £600 worth (but minimum spend is £50) you can use my personal referral code and you get £10 off and I get £10 added on to my card - www.fairfx.com/ref/vsgcm2ds In theory, if you use my referral code AND click on the drop down option for MONEY SAVING EXPERT when asked where have you heard about us? you should get: £8 if buying £300+ £20 if buying £600+ plus my own £10 ... worth a try! I have been told by a few people that you can get cash advances on the card from bigger supermarkets in France for free. Otherwise, there is an ATM withdrawal charge of €1.50  |
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Post by cymro on May 24, 2016 12:49:27 GMT
I cant say this is the ultimate deal - but this is certainly the one I just went for. Fairfx Card, if you click through from the MoneySavingExpert site - www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/prepaid-travel-cards Today's Euro rate is 1.2766 If you buy more than £600 worth you get £20 added credit ... Thus, making an actual rate of 1.32 when buying £601 on the card!So I just paid £581 and will receive €€767.24 If you prefer to buy less than £600 worth (but minimum spend is £50) you can use my personal referral code and you get £10 off and I get £10 added on to my card - www.fairfx.com/ref/vsgcm2ds In theory, if you use my referral code AND click on the drop down option for MONEY SAVING EXPERT when asked where have you heard about us? you should get: £8 if buying £300+ £20 if buying £600+ plus my own £10 ... worth a try! I have been told by a few people that you can get cash advances on the card from bigger supermarkets in France for free. Otherwise, there is an ATM withdrawal charge of €1.50 View AttachmentThis is the card that I will be getting after pay day tomorrow! I will be buying more than £600, so can I get an extra £30 then if I use your code? |
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Post by manulike on May 24, 2016 13:02:45 GMT
Give it a go, as they do indicate the reduction BEFORE you complete the transaction.
It should say:
MSE Voucher £8
MSE Voucher £12
Referral Voucher £10
... or such like.
Also, I just noticed that the rate just WENT UP to 1.2820 - the highest I have seen it for three months.
Get it before Thursday, as the UK Treasury are announcing their Financial Predictions ... and it is bound to be bad as they are sure to use it to get a Stay vote in June...
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Post by benrhosgad on May 24, 2016 14:04:02 GMT
Hi guys bit confusing for me, which site is the best for a travelcard with the exchange rate and no fee for using the card abroad, thanks in advance
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Post by osprey on May 24, 2016 19:59:38 GMT
Just registered and preloaded £601
Got a rate of 1.2852 but only got £20 MSE discount
That said I probably cocked it up somewhere
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Post by manulike on May 24, 2016 23:22:10 GMT
Hi guys bit confusing for me, which site is the best for a travelcard with the exchange rate and no fee for using the card abroad, thanks in advance Hi Ben, If all you want to do is use a CREDIT CARD anywhere abroad, I still believe your best bet is Halifax Clarity. If you apply on-line, you should get it within a week max! The credit card will usually give you a rate at least 2% or even 3% higher than what any Travel Card will give you on a given day. That said, June is no ordinary month. 23 June is no ordinary day. As that approaches, I feel that the pound will nose dive... If you ALSO have a Travel Card, you secure a (decent) rate and you can also use ATM machines in France to get cash using the cards with a maximum fee of €1.50. Some retailers (namely Careffour, but possibly others) may allow cash advances free of charge... Note, you should avoid using a MOST credit OR a debit card abroad for ATM cash withdrawals. They charge you a flat FEE of £2 or £3 PLUS APR of 13% to 20%. With Halifax Clarity there is no actual ATM fee, but there is a 13% APR per ATM transaction interest that works out at 3p per day per £100 withdrawn... If you do nothing and wait until your balance gets paid monthly in full - this can cost up to 50x3p = £1.50 per £100 withdrawn. If, however, you use Clarity abroad at and ATM for cash AND go on-line 3 or 4 days later to pay off your entire outstanding balance ... all you pay is 10p per €100 ... |
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Post by manulike on May 25, 2016 10:34:48 GMT
If anyone lives in or around London / Reading / Milton Keynes and can walk into a METRO BANK, they seem to issue their DEBIT CARD on the spot (or within 2 hours, at most) - find branches HERE. You can then use this debit card to get FREE ATM CASH withdrawals in Europe as well as fee-free purchases. Note, as this is a DEBIT card, the money is taken/converted instantly, at the preferential MasterCard rate - today its 1.32 - www.mastercard.com/global/currencyconversion/ However, the Euro rate is calculated daily - so you can not tie-down a beneficial rate, like in FairFx Travel Card, above. www.metrobankonline.co.uk/Personal/Using-your-Debit-or-Credit-Card-abroad/ NOTE The Revolut prepaid MasterCard (also on the MSE page, above - use the invite code "MSE" to get £5 when loading £500 or more) gives fee-free ATM withdrawals up to 650€ per month (2% after that), and converts at the interbank rate - which is generally about 2% higher than the average Travel Card. Thus, this could be a nice combination of locking-in a good rate this week AND allowing FREE ATM cash withdrawals. Only reason i disregarded it, was that my Blackberry is not all that Smart with Apps - and you MUST HAVE THEIR APP to manage account... |
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Post by manulike on May 25, 2016 13:28:00 GMT
FURTHER UPDATE
Just had a long discussion with Customer Service of Halifax Clarity Credit Card (its Master Card).
1/. There are no fees when making purchases abroad or using online in non Sterling payments.
2/. There are no fees when making ATM CASH withdrawals abroad - unless the ATM machine itself indicates otherwise.
NOTE - if you do make an ATM Cash withdrawal, you will be charges an APR INTEREST of 12.9% from the day you made the withdrawal until the day you cleared your statement - in theory, this can be 45 days!
AND HERE IS THE INTERESTING NEWS:
If you go online and register for Halifax On-line banking. you then have the option to:
"PAY CREDIT CARD" -This then asks you: PAY IN FULL or PAY MINIMUM AMOUNT.
Choose pay in full and as long as you do this every 4 or 5 days, the maximum you pay on your ATM transactions will be about 3p/daily/per €100 withdrawn...
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Post by manulike on May 26, 2016 14:05:51 GMT
Just registered and preloaded £601 Got a rate of 1.2852 but only got £20 MSE discount That said I probably cocked it up somewhere Noticed that over the last two days the rate went up to 1.293 and now its down back to 1.28. Can't imagine it firmly going above the 1.30 rate again. Still, if you catch the FairFx site when its 1.29+ and only get £600, considering you get £20 back - the actual rate you are getting is closer to 1.33 or 1.34 |
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Post by damo on May 26, 2016 14:21:33 GMT
Just registered and preloaded £601 Got a rate of 1.2852 but only got £20 MSE discount That said I probably cocked it up somewhere Noticed that over the last two days the rate went up to 1.293 and now its down back to 1.28. Can't imagine it firmly going above the 1.30 rate again. Still, if you catch the FairFx site when its 1.29+ and only get £600, considering you get £20 back - the actual rate you are getting is closer to 1.33 or 1.34 Interesting . We've had a fairfx account for some time. Topped it up yesterday as it was - as you say - at the attractive rate of 1.29. It was over £600 but no mention of the cashback. Is that just on new accounts? |
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Post by osprey on May 26, 2016 14:52:41 GMT
damo - you had to order a new card via a link on MSE
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Post by manulike on May 26, 2016 19:15:49 GMT
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Post by manulike on May 27, 2016 11:42:49 GMT
Just received the FairFx Travel Card in the post this morning - applied for 3 days ago!
Expiry date of the card is 31-05-2019, so 3 full years - unlike other cards that give 12 months...
When applying, they do state that delivery may take 7 to 10 working days ...
Finally, a quick look at my account already shows that they are offering me another £10 off voucher for any future top-up in the next 12 months!
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Post by mikeduffy1 on May 28, 2016 9:07:28 GMT
If anyone lives in or around London / Reading / Milton Keynes and can walk into a METRO BANK, they seem to issue their DEBIT CARD on the spot (or within 2 hours, at most) - find branches HERE. You can then use this debit card to get FREE ATM CASH withdrawals in Europe as well as fee-free purchases. Note, as this is a DEBIT card, the money is taken/converted instantly, at the preferential MasterCard rate - today its 1.32 - www.mastercard.com/global/currencyconversion/ However, the Euro rate is calculated daily - so you can not tie-down a beneficial rate, like in FairFx Travel Card, above. www.metrobankonline.co.uk/Personal/Using-your-Debit-or-Credit-Card-abroad/ NOTE The Revolut prepaid MasterCard (also on the MSE page, above - use the invite code "MSE" to get £5 when loading £500 or more) gives fee-free ATM withdrawals up to 650€ per month (2% after that), and converts at the interbank rate - which is generally about 2% higher than the average Travel Card. Thus, this could be a nice combination of locking-in a good rate this week AND allowing FREE ATM cash withdrawals. Only reason i disregarded it, was that my Blackberry is not all that Smart with Apps - and you MUST HAVE THEIR APP to manage account... |
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Post by manulike on May 31, 2016 9:17:49 GMT
Just noticed that the Euro exchange rate this morning is 1.306 on www.fairfx.com/ If you still havn't bought euros, and need to secure a good rate, this is as good as I've seen it. If you buy £601 worth, you get £20 off - making an actual rate of just over 1.35 ;-) See above for MSE PS - if you are only ordering £300-£600 then you can get £10 off by using this link www.fairfx.com/ref/vsgcm2ds |
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Post by manulike on Jun 1, 2016 7:19:26 GMT
The rate yesterday (end of Bank Holiday weekend) started off at 1.306 and plummeted to 1.26 in early afternoon after the latest Euro Polls saying 52% for Brexit. They ended last evening at 1.274 - ummmm ;-)
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Post by cymro on Jun 1, 2016 9:20:18 GMT
Was kicking myself yesterday when I'd got it at 1.28 last week but feel better now it's tumbled again  |
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Post by jonnylitts on Jun 1, 2016 10:36:07 GMT
The MasterCard exchange rate is still showing as 1.311197 (as of 31/05).
I've got a creation card (same as the Halifax clarity but with a lower interest rate) and it takes the MasterCard rate to do it's conversions. Seems to always be the best rate as they appear to be the interbank rate rather than the public rate.
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Post by manulike on Jun 1, 2016 13:18:55 GMT
The MasterCard exchange rate is still showing as 1.311197 (as of 31/05). I've got a creation card (same as the Halifax clarity but with a lower interest rate) and it takes the MasterCard rate to do it's conversions. Seems to always be the best rate as they appear to be the interbank rate rather than the public rate. Yes. The Interbank exchange rate is always a good 2% better than most Travel-card rates. I just thought, when you figure in the £20 free bonus and find a high rate - so yesterday's 1.35 - you can tie that rate down and be guaranteed that exact rate throughout your journey. I have about €800 at a 1.32 rate - which is a good starting point. I screwed up yesterday, by ordering a new card by mistake at the 1.306 rate and I ended up asking them to cancel it... By the time the cancellation went through, the rate had already reached 1.26... |
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Post by matthunt on Jun 1, 2016 13:47:30 GMT
FURTHER UPDATE Just had a long discussion with Customer Service of Halifax Clarity Credit Card (its Master Card). 1/. There are no fees when making purchases abroad or using online in non Sterling payments. 2/. There are no fees when making ATM CASH withdrawals abroad - unless the ATM machine itself indicates otherwise. NOTE - if you do make an ATM Cash withdrawal, you will be charges an APR INTEREST of 12.9% from the day you made the withdrawal until the day you cleared your statement - in theory, this can be 45 days! AND HERE IS THE INTERESTING NEWS: If you go online and register for Halifax On-line banking. you then have the option to: "PAY CREDIT CARD" -This then asks you: PAY IN FULL or PAY MINIMUM AMOUNT. Choose pay in full and as long as you do this every 4 or 5 days, the maximum you pay on your ATM transactions will be about 3p/daily/per €100 withdrawn... I have a Revolut card and just used it in Budapest and works perfectly. If you don't want to exchange into Euros on your card you could always leave it in sterling and when you withdraw money it will give you the rate at that precise moment. Sometimes though it is worth exchanging to take advantage of a high rate. I'm using my revolut card for France as well and it is really easy to top up from your phone |
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Post by manulike on Jun 1, 2016 13:51:59 GMT
Just one thing I forgot to mention about Halifax Clarity Master Card. If you spend more than £300 on the card in any statement period, they give you £5 cash back ;-)  I do enjoy getting cash back .... As long as its NOT from UEFA !! |
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I do enjoy getting cash back