Pre paid travel cards

Cosmic182

Cosmic182

Cosmic182

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25 Jul 2006
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Hi

Off to California in a few weeks and was just wondering if any of you guys use these pre paid credit/debit cards where you load the money on to it, and if so which one is best? bit baffled as there is so many!
Don't really fancy applying for a credit card as I can imagine it would be too easy to just spend and then return home to a bigger bill than ideally desired. Would rather just load more on to the pre paid card if need be.

Thanks very much.
 
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Cosmic182 said:
Hi

Off to California in a few weeks and was just wondering if any of you guys use these pre paid credit/debit cards where you load the money on to it, and if so which one is best? bit baffled as there is so many!
Don't really fancy applying for a credit card as I can imagine it would be too easy to just spend and then return home to a bigger bill than ideally desired. Would rather just load more on to the pre paid card if need be.

Thanks very much.
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I have a Caxton although I only used it once or twice,

You might find life difficult without a credit card in some circumstances, if you're going to hire a car most car-hire companies only do credit cards and don't accept any form of pre-paid card, same goes with most hotels,

For other stuff a debit card will normally work fine - including cash machines,
 
Sorry forgot to mention, I do have a credit card that I plan taking for such things as car hire etc. Just didn't want it to be my main source of funding.

Cheers :)
 
I have a Natwest Debit card and it worked for 95% of stuff tbh, cash machines, supermarkets, I think the only time I had trouble with a debit card was when I was trying to spend more than £500 (whatever that was in dollars at the time) but aside from that, a VISA debit card will do most stuff... if you already have a CC - that should be enough

:)
 
If I was to use my UK visa debit card don't they charge an international transaction fee on every transaction though? something like £1.60? That would soon add up? With the pre paid ones it acts like a credit card so wouldn't have any transaction fees?
 
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I asked this very question a little while AFO about my trip to Asia... I was recommended the Halifax clarity credit card and I must say it was perfect... Worked a treat for us once set up online so we could pay off the balance every few days. Even got a better rate than the cash we had changed too.
 
Everything you need to know about prepaid cards:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/prepaid-travel-cards

Cosmic182 said:
If I was to use my UK visa debit card don't they charge an international transaction fee on every transaction though? something like £1.60? That would soon add up? With the pre paid ones it acts like a credit card so wouldn't have any transaction fees?
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Correct, but it depends on the card. Some are better than others. See:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards

I started with prepaid cards before getting a proper CC (Halifax Clarity) and honestly they're a bit of a pain. As other have said they're not accepted everywhere, the rates aren't usually great and the fees can be harsh, you have to keep a track of the money on them, you can't place holds on them e.g. for car hire/other deposits, and once the money is on there it can be tricky to get off. (That last one is really annoying, if you "over-charge" it you might end up paying extra to get the money off again.)

I'd strongly recommend just getting a credit card and never worrying again about it.
 
Okay, many thanks guys. I have taken your advice and applied for the Halifax clarity, all approved and I've registered to set up online banking as mentioned so I can pay it off each day. I'm with 3 mobile so using my iPhone in the states is free.
 
Used Caxton over a few months a couple years back. I believe they've since increased their fees? Also found their website/app to be rather clunky to use.

Had a Supercard this winter which worked nicely, shame it's only a pilot.

Revolut seem to be heavily recommended now, used a few times. Not sure what more you'd want from a prepaid card - interbank rate, no fees and a good app.
 
Cosmic182 said:
Okay, many thanks guys. I have taken your advice and applied for the Halifax clarity, all approved and I've registered to set up online banking as mentioned so I can pay it off each day. I'm with 3 mobile so using my iPhone in the states is free.
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This is exactly the best thing to do.

Use it for everything.

Don't waste your time paying it off each day though, what a faff. Enjoy your trip and pay it when you get back. Even if you've taken cash out the interest charge for a couple of weeks is virtually nothing.
 
Cheers guys :) Appreciated. Looking forward to it!!

Q for Fox if he reads this....US car hire insurance? best to go through the hire company? or some other way? heard a few contradictions that your UK insurance covers you? seems a bit odd and not convinced....
 
Cosmic182 said:
Cheers guys :) Appreciated. Looking forward to it!!

Q for Fox if he reads this....US car hire insurance? best to go through the hire company? or some other way? heard a few contradictions that your UK insurance covers you? seems a bit odd and not convinced....
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If you have booked your car through a reputable UK broker or the UK arm of the hire firm then all your insurance is fully inclusive with zero excess.

Who did you book with?
 
We haven't booked as of yet, as weren't sure wether its best to wait and do it once arrived in the US or organise now whilst in the UK? Never done it before or known anyone who has so a little miffed.

Cheers
 
Cosmic182 said:
We haven't booked as of yet, as weren't sure wether its best to wait and do it once arrived in the US or organise now whilst in the UK? Never done it before or known anyone who has so a little miffed.

Cheers
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It's absolutely best to book it right now. Do not wait until you get to the US, you will almost certainly get a higher rate and it'll be exclusive of the insurance you need.

The UK booking rates are exceptional.

Personally, I recommend Alamo. Book direct at http://www.alamo.co.uk or get a quote through some of these brokers who use Alamo:

http://www.netflights.com
http://www.virginholidays.co.uk

etc.

Booking through this route will give you a fully inclusive insurance deal.
 
I've used every US rental major and Alamo (/National, same firm) are the best I've experienced. Good late model fleet, mostly low mileage cars and you get to pick your car from a line of cars in the class you've booked which I always enjoy.

Having to use Avis this time and I doubt it'll be quite the experience it normally is..
 
Pre-paid card always for the states, not worth the risk.

Using your own debit card is suicide, especially in restaurants :)
 
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