I am finding it hard to work out how people carry/access their cash while on their travels. I often hear them talking about accessing the ATM but I always wonder what card they were using. It can't be a credit card as they charge crazy money for withdrawing money on them. Is it just their normal everyday debit card (for example I have a Visa debit card)? Do they work abroad?
So, what did you use for money? Cash, card or travellers cheques? Did you access your bank on the net? Did you store all your money in one account?
I would be grateful for any replies. 😊
Reply to this Hello Tina 😊
I used to take travellers cheques, but these days I just take cash. I decided that if I lost the travellers cheques, then having them replaced would likely be as much trouble as having the cash replaced, and over the years would probably add up to as expensive as the very occasional lost cash.
I store my money in a money belt, or some other concealed pouch in my clothes.
I dont travel for long enough periods these days to need to make withdrawals along the way.
Mel
Reply to this Where are you from?
We are from the UK. We have several visa debit cards. They work abroad. We have a Nationwide account that we used to use to withdraw money in the days when it was free to withdraw abroad with that account. We used to use internet banking to move money from our other accounts into that one. But then, if we had any problem with not being able to use a card from a certain bank somewhere, we could generally use a different one.
It's always safer to have two cards anyway. In case the bank swallows one, or one card gets stolen. Keep them separate so you are safe.
Travellers cheques are good to carry for an emergency, but not really for day to day use.
Reply to this Thanks Mell, Kris and Kate.
I am from Scotland. I intended on using Nationwide because of their huge advertising campaign telling people they don't charge for you to withdraw your own money. I wonder how they can justify charging now after slagging off all the other banks for doing it. tut!
The fact you can use debit cards is great and as I know from other posts, that you are in Vietnam I don't need to ask what kinds of places you mean. 😊
Reply to this Debit cards are great. Definitely the way to go. Just make sure you have a 4 digit PIN, and make sure you inform your bank where and when you are traveling.
Reply to this The Abbey Zero credit card does not charge for cash machines home or abroad, same for transactions, just make you sure pay it off every month 😊
Reply to this Kris and Kate, you mention that you you used to use Nationwide when they were free, now that they charge what do you use for everyday cash?
Reply to this the charge is only 1%.. for every £100 you draw out it will cost you £1.. its by far the best debit card in my opinion
Reply to this There must be a free way to carry cash other than actually carrying cash itself!!
Reply to this Nationwide offer a debit card which can be used abroad.. 0% interest! Check them out.. "FlexAccount" ask for.
Reply to this There must be a free way to carry cash other than actually carrying cash itself!!
Bummer isn it?! What a crazy world we live in. I agree with Kris and Kate - have 2 or 3 different debit cards and then you won have to worry if one gets eaten in a machine. I can offer anything on which are the cheapest, but just look around for the best deals and then add it in to your budget. You just have to swallow the pill, that there will be this charge, if you just look at it as part of your general travel expenses, its easier not to get wound up about it. And withdraw larger amounts at a time, if you feel ok to do this, so that you don get stung so often with their charges. BTW you can also use Cirrus (Link) cards in Thailand, which is handy if youve got one of those.
Reply to this Capital one credit card is one of the only cards that does not have a fee for using abroad. Most other credit/debit cards do have a fee.
Reply to this Yeah but the problem with credit cards is that they charge interest every month. Do you guys actually use credit cards while on travels?
Reply to this just pay it off after every month? therefore in most cases no interest..
Reply to this you can do set up with the bank a direct payment each month. Without even doing anything you can pay it off with another account. It works great.
Reply to this When you use your debit card in foreign countries you are charged a lot of money. Your bank may charge you $1.50 for a withdrawl, but the machine or bank that you are taking it out of may charge anywhere from $1.50 to $5.00 per withdrawl. Remember today some ABM's are privately owned and the owner can program any charge he likes into the machine. The apartment complex where I live when in Bangkok charges $5.00 per withdrawl plus your own banks fees. This is robbery. Cash is best and if there is a black market for currency you will get more for cash sometimes than travellers cheques.
Reply to this I must be lucky because I don't pay a fee at home or abroad to withdraw from an ATM. I did get a PIN for a credit card, and there were a few occasions when I used it to get cash, but got someone at home to immediately pay it so I didn't rack up interest charges. Travellers cheques are almost more trouble than they're worth - I've had real difficulties finding places willing to cash them - even big banks. For sure never keep all your cards and cash in the same place. Too scary to lose everything.
Reply to this Hi Katie
What country are you from and what bank do you use that doesn't charge you?
Reply to this I'm from Canada, and part of the reason I don't get charged is because I hate bank fees with a passion and will do almost anything to avoid them. Seniors don't pay fees so you can share a joint account with a senior and not pay anything. If your account is old enough, you can avoid paying fees if you keep an certain balance. Those are two ways I know of to avoid them.
Reply to this I usually just bring cash (up to the permissible account when taking the plane). enough cash for the whole trip and some emergency money and credit card.
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