Euros - Pay on card, ATM or exchange £ before i arrive?

SideWinder · 14 Apr 2016 at 17:43

As topic...off to Dublin in a few weeks time so is it best to just whack everything on my card?

By best i mean the cheapest method of paying obviously.

Thanks!

#Chri5# · 14 Apr 2016 at 17:44

What card(s) do you have?

Mulder · 14 Apr 2016 at 17:44

I'd get a Caxton FX card. Can load it with EUR at a fair enough rate, use it in shops and ATMs for no charge, and you don't have to pay for it.

dowie · 14 Apr 2016 at 17:45

Mulder said:
I'd get a Caxton FX card. Can load it with EUR at a fair enough rate, use it in shops and ATMs for no charge, and you don't have to pay for it.

better to get a clarity card

Mulder · 14 Apr 2016 at 17:48

dowie said:
better to get a clarity card

Never heard of it. I've had my caxton a couple of years now and am really happy with it, although there might be better cards out there.

reilly · 14 Apr 2016 at 17:50

dowie said:
better to get a clarity card

Halifax (Credit Card) all the way, you get the actual MasterCard Rate, no cash withdrawal fee, no commission.

Daily Rates can be found here:

https://www.mastercard.com/global/currencyconversion/index.html

SideWinder · 14 Apr 2016 at 17:51

#Chri5# said:
What card(s) do you have?

Nationwide FlexDirect card.

Frozennova · 14 Apr 2016 at 18:02

Travelex supercard was straight forward and gave good rates last time I was abroad

dowie · 14 Apr 2016 at 18:08

Mulder said:
Never heard of it. I've had my caxton a couple of years now and am really happy with it, although there might be better cards out there.

there are, the clarity card is better thus the post

A2Z · 14 Apr 2016 at 19:03

If you can't get Clarity then get Post Office credit card, no different if just paying by card, no fees etc, but don't use for withdrawals.

Azza · 14 Apr 2016 at 19:07

Halifax Clarity is all you need and make sure you pay in Euros if given the option between them or £.

Casdawer · 14 Apr 2016 at 19:11

We need a bot on this forum for everyone who posts the same thing about the best way to pay for things abroad as the answer is always the same!

Halifax Clarity

Housey · 14 Apr 2016 at 19:16

Out of T2, turn right, cashpoint.

Taxi rank, pub, done.

[TW]Fox · 14 Apr 2016 at 19:27

Mulder said:
no charge, and you don't have to pay for it.

Yes you do, they just charge you in a way that goes over most peoples heads to give the impression it's free. It isn't.

They take a cut by giving you an inferior exchange rate when you load sterling onto the card.

tomparker95 · 14 Apr 2016 at 19:29

Just signed up for a weswap card, seems a good idea. Off to Amsterdam in may so similar position as you.

mattyfez · 14 Apr 2016 at 20:03

I only tend to take 200 or 300 pounds worth of euros on holiday, Thomas Cook are usually quite competitive if you want cash.

Housey · 14 Apr 2016 at 20:13

In the last 20 years I can't think of a time I've sought out cash for a holiday or business trip before leaving. I've not totaled up the saving I could have made but I can't think it's much over a few quid in those 20 years. Having said that, I do have a draw full of notes from all over the world at home

Mulder · 14 Apr 2016 at 22:11

[TW]Fox;29391551 said:
Yes you do, they just charge you in a way that goes over most peoples heads to give the impression it's free. It isn't.

They take a cut by giving you an inferior exchange rate when you load sterling onto the card.

I did say fair enough rate, you cut my post out of context

Can you use the clarity card in all major currencies?

[TW]Fox · 14 Apr 2016 at 22:15

Mulder said:
I did say fair enough rate, you cut my post out of context

Can you use the clarity card in all major currencies?

You can use it anywhere that accepts MasterCard.

Rich1988 · 14 Apr 2016 at 22:20

[TW]Fox;29391551 said:
Yes you do, they just charge you in a way that goes over most peoples heads to give the impression it's free. It isn't.

They take a cut by giving you an inferior exchange rate when you load sterling onto the card.

You say that but the rate is better than a lot of consumer exchange places will give you on smaller sums.

a quick example being the post office rates;
US Dollar 1.3780 1.3800 1.3810
Caxton FX rate is 1.38340

whilst the mastercard exchange rate on the clarity is 1.41, so obviously better but the FX card or similar prepaid can be a decent way of doing it and potentially easier than other methods such as a clarity card, especially if you're credit history is a bit sketchy.