When traveling take the right credit and debit cards
By maximax8
@maximax8 (31042)
United Kingdom
January 12, 2013 7:00am CST
One debit card to used to use had a 2.99 percent exchange load when I used it to obtain a different currency. So exchanging one 100 pounds I would have paid 102 pounds and ninety nine pence. At an ATM machine it had a minimum fee of 2 pounds. I had a spending charge of 1 pound on anything I bought. At least I didn't have any cash withdrawal interest.
I have now got a debit card and two credit cards which will be excellent for my next trip. I will look on-line for the best exchange rates. Once London Underground was running very late and we had to fly off to Sardinia without getting any Italian money. I had a nightmare arriving seeing the exchange money desk was closed. Small airports can have very little in them.
Have you ever not got foreign currency in your home country?
Did you go to a small airport and find it had little there?
What do you think of pricey bank charges when traveling?
2 people like this
5 responses
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
12 Jan 13
I usually use my credit card when I travel. I save the change from one trip to the other for the first taxi to the hotel and other first necessities. I don`t have a debit card. I gave it up when I discovered that they charged me monthly for having it. And with the credit card, my needs are taken care of. I pay my credit every month so I don`t have problems.
In other parts of the world, I get some money from a machine, just in case, but always pay with my Visa wherever I can.
The charges are made by my Bank usually and it depends on the relation between my country`s currency and th US $.
@maximax8 (31042)
• United Kingdom
13 Jan 13
It is shame they charge a monthly fee for a debit card. It is excellent you pay off the bill on your visa credit card at the end of every month. I sometimes find my debit card or credit card won't work at every ATM machine. I usually find one that will work.
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
14 Jan 13
Fortunatly, my Visa works at most machines. I found problems in Brasil though. But nothing that walking a couple of blocks more would not solve.
@kingparker (9673)
• United States
12 Jan 13
I couldn't imagine the fee those big banks gotta charge me if I am at foreign countries, and trying to cash out from the ATM machine, I might end up paying lots of junk fees plus the things I have to pay for. I would recommend capital one if you ever heard this credit card, or is it available at your home country? I heard they won't charge you any currency exchange fee though. I have one, but I never use it in foreign countries before though.
@maximax8 (31042)
• United Kingdom
13 Jan 13
Hi King Parker. Yes, Capital One is a credit card available in the United Kingdom. Some credit cards have very high interest rates like 34 percent for example. Most credit cards have an interest rate of 17 or 18 percent. I like the way you say these extra charges are "junk fees". Thanks for your wonderful response.
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
12 Jan 13
I usually make a point of having foreign currency before I travel, which is even easier nowadays doe the Euro being accepted in numerous countries. I do not even bother to change Euros back into Pounds, but simply save them for my next trip to the continent. There are exceptions, such as Russia and Morocco, where it is not permitted to take the currency out of the country so it can only be acquired on arrival.
I have often bought extra currency while abroad, although I normally have British cash on me and have never used my credit card for the purpose. I simply carry my credit card in case of necessity and not for regular use.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
12 Jan 13
I got an American credit card just in case I go to the States, but has not happened well, I do not want to be manhandled or so through a machine that will give me cancer. When my husband was alive, we went through the states and even though the exchange rate was in our favor, he only had Canadian money and they overcharged us at the toll booth. I had a few American dollars in an American bank account but not enough to make any difference or to buy any souvenirs. Unfortunately because of 911, they made things a little harder and because of the underwear bomber, they brought in the TSA so that means that travel to foreign places is out and I do want to visit England.
@maximax8 (31042)
• United Kingdom
13 Jan 13
It is lovely you got an American credit card just in case you go to America. What happened on 9/11 was terrible and it had a knock on affect on airport security. It is a shame they have such awful ways of screening. "Once bitten twice shy" is what I am thinking.
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
12 Jan 13
very true... I have 2 cards from the usa, I use them sometimes here in Mexico. I get charge a high rate here, but the points and credits I get in usa off them, make up for it. i try not to use the cc much. But I do use the debits all the time here.
