Anyone used a Travel Currency card before?

Droolinggimp · 23 May 2017 at 18:51

Going to Ibiza in a few weeks and we are thinking of loading up a Travel visa/mastercard instead of taking a wad of Euros. Has anyone used one and what one would you recommend to get? We will obviously be taking some cash with us but wanting to not carry it all around or keep in the hotel safe. We would use it at restaurants, bars and possibly excursions limiting the amount we carry with us. We would also withdraw from ATMs when we run short so if possible a fee free card would be good. Any advice on what to do?

beh · 23 May 2017 at 18:57

Halifax Clarity or Revolut. The former has a £20 cashback offer currently so probably that.

Droolinggimp · 23 May 2017 at 19:06

We are not after a credit card but one of those prepaid cards. I wont be able to get a credit card. Score is a bit naff lol.

dowie · 23 May 2017 at 19:10

Droolinggimp said:
We are not after a credit card but one of those prepaid cards. I wont be able to get a credit card. Score is a bit naff lol.

Revolut is a pre paid card of sorts it is probably the best rates you'll get tbh...

beh · 23 May 2017 at 19:12

Shame. Revolut then, although they charge £5 for a physical card last time I checked.

Droolinggimp · 23 May 2017 at 19:13

oh right I looked at the website and thought it was a bank and not pre paid stuff.

Glaucus · 23 May 2017 at 19:38

revolute or monzo

Droolinggimp · 23 May 2017 at 20:03

Cheers I will look a bit further into those cards

daver · 23 May 2017 at 20:18

I have a Travelex supercard which is just linked my uk debit card and fools that into thinking its a uk transaction, currency exchange is done at the mastercard rate. You can flick which card you link it with through the app and you don't need a credit check to get it. Used to be even better in the trial when you could get cash out for free but has the advantage over a prepaid card in that you don't have to decide how much you wil need .

Richie · 23 May 2017 at 21:21

I use a Caxton card at times... If I need more money I just jump on the app on my phone, load the card and can use it immediately again.

wez130 · 23 May 2017 at 21:41

Revolut will offer you the best rates.

Rotty · 24 May 2017 at 01:09

Richie said:
I use a Caxton card at times... If I need more money I just jump on the app on my phone, load the card and can use it immediately again.

I had loads of trouble with Caxton, ridiculously low ATM limits, ATMs refusing it and some of worst customer service I have seen anywhere

dowie · 24 May 2017 at 09:56

Richie said:
I use a Caxton card at times... If I need more money I just jump on the app on my phone, load the card and can use it immediately again.

I don't see any advantage there you can do that with Revolut only the rate is better than with Caxton

trickycurve · 24 May 2017 at 11:52

dowie said:
Revolut is a pre paid card of sorts it is probably the best rates you'll get tbh...

Yeah, definitely get Revolut. It's like a virtual bank account and you can transfer funds into it by bank transfer, debit/credit card, and Android(/Apple?) Pay. It works a treat and transactions appear immediately. (Just don't use it for hotel authorisations because your money will be blocked, or tipping in the States because they swipe twice creating a temporary hold which appears like a double charge until the original amount is released a few days later.)

Revolut also has a free withdrawal amount of £200 per month, and then there's just a 2% fee on anything over that, but the card is so good and easy-to-use that taking out large amounts of cash just seems totally unnecessary.

Kol · 24 May 2017 at 12:11

I use Curve personally (though if I could be bothered I'd get the Halifax Clarity).

robj20 · 24 May 2017 at 12:32

daver said:
I have a Travelex supercard which is just linked my uk debit card and fools that into thinking its a uk transaction, currency exchange is done at the mastercard rate. You can flick which card you link it with through the app and you don't need a credit check to get it. Used to be even better in the trial when you could get cash out for free but has the advantage over a prepaid card in that you don't have to decide how much you wil need .

Pointless getting one of those now.

Kol · 24 May 2017 at 12:42

robj20 said:
Pointless getting one of those now.

How so? He has a valid point, not everyone wants to be 'topping up' a pre-paid card.

robj20 · 24 May 2017 at 12:44

Kol said:
How so? He has a valid point, not everyone wants to be 'topping up' a pre-paid card.

Travelex no longer do the Supercard comes to an end in July.

Kol · 24 May 2017 at 12:45

robj20 said:
Travelex no longer do the Supercard comes to an end in July.

Ah, well in that case, as you were!

Though Curve does the same so I'll recommend that if you don't want a credit check / the hassle of topping up a pre-paid card.

Maccy · 24 May 2017 at 13:57

Monzo, however you'll need a golden ticket invite to get one sooner.