P1Fanatic

Still looking at best options to take money abroad to Australia & NZ. At first I looked at the Globe version and it was laced with fees for transactions and ATM withdrawals.

Just took another look at the regular prepaid cash card (Mastercard ordered online) and apparently no fees for cash withdrawals or purchases in the currency you have loaded on the card.

Then I thought ah they will sting you with a crap exchange rate when you load money onto the card. So just tried one and it gives a higher rate than if you order cash currency so no issues there either.

Anything Im missing as seems to good to be true?

Cheers
Simon

Nimbus

I used one recently on a trip to spain. Had no issues with it and was able to withdraw cash from a banks ATM with out any problems. The only "catch" I think is that after 1 year they charge you for it's use. I can't remember if this is actually true (will need to check my T&Cs). I've still got about 100EUR on it which I'm not going to use now, so they said I can get this transferred back to my own bank card and cancel the Travelex card.

P1Fanatic

Cheers. Ive read a few gripes online about issues but most seem to be people loading up with one currency ie £ or $ and going somewhere that doesnt use that currency so they lose out in the exchange rate. But if your loading up with local currency then I see no issues.

Also the Thomas Cook & Co-op versions show a fee of AUS$3.50 for ATM withdrawals whereas the travelex one ordered online doesnt.

Fyi check the rate they offer you to get your money back off it as I saw some reviews saying the rate was very poor. Was aware of the non usage fees but plan to cancel when we return anyway.

Have made a few enquiries in Trip Advisor also so will see what they come back with.

Simon

pacenote

A mate uses one with no problems.

Myself I use a Nationwide Visa Debit on my Flexaccount and just draw out cash in the local currency. Get a better exchange rate than getting the currency in UK and fees not too bad although I think they are going up shortly

Ant

Used one when going to turkey last year , can't fault it

P1Fanatic

For purchases (restaurants etc) or just cash withdrawals?

Simon

Ant

i did cash withdrawals