Eurocard
Hi we going to get new euro card (had thomas cook card) going to use sainsburys as dont like on line top up,reading through blumff it stated that eu rules state that places don't have to take prepaid cards,has any body run across this?though they have to display notice saying they don't,which seems to be at point of sale(bit late if you eaten a meal). cheers.
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The best advice on using bank cards overseas is on the MoneySaving Expert.com website founded by Matin Lewis. It covers Credit cards, debit cards and pre paid cash cards, and explains which do and which do not charge fees for overseas use. But it's always best to carry a spare from a different bank in case one card is rejected.
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Personally have never used one but they do seem quite widely used. Where people normally have a problem is with paying tolls as they use automatic, non-referral authorisation so they have no way of knowing how much money is on the card. Likewise some 24 hour unattended fuel stations pumps won't accept them, usually fine if you go to a cashier. I don't think establishment have to say they don't take a card although I have seen notices(in English) in German supermarkets apologising for not taking credit cards. However they do tend to have a little row of credit/debit card symbols on their door or window. It is always worth having enough cash for any transaction just in case. Alternatively why not consider a credit card like the Halifax Clarity Card which doesn't charge for use although you will be charged interest on cash withdrawals.
David
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I'm with DK (and ET) on this. Having had trouble using a Caxton pre paid card a few years ago I now do not use it and instead have a card which gives free use o'seas (except cash withdrawals). As recommended I take cash for small transactions but pay for nearly everything on the card. Re Germany, yes in the Moselle area a few years ago my card was not accepted in a supermarket but luckily I had sufficient cash. I think this may be improving latterly because last Dec/Jan I had to spend some time there and had no problems using my UK card.
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Every time a question about pre-loaded cards comes up, I feel duty bound to warn against their use at 24 hour, card-only fuel pumps. Most pumps authorize the dispensing of 100€ plus worth of fuel. No matter how much you actually take, the full amount will be debited from your card and will not be available until the transaction has cleared: this may take several days!
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The only way to avoid problems is to take a pocketful of euros and your favourite UK bank plastic.
This way you avoid plastic being turned down, but have a suitable alternative, however if using plastic may well be some charges to swallow.
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Agreed DD, but if you have loaded your card with a couple of hundred euros, you could easily run out of available credit. On the other hand, using a debit or credit card you are only limited to what's in your current account or your credit card limit.
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We tend to use a Halifax credit card all the time abroad even for cash withdrawals. As others have said you are charged interest if you make a cash withdrawal. I understand (but may be wrong) that having made a cash withdrawal you are then charged interest on the whole debt until you settle the monthly bill.
After every cash withdrawal, using online banking we can check what are current transactions are and we pay that off the same day thus our interest charges, if any, are pennies.
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It depends on the card and how you manage it. I always use my Clarity card to withdraw cash from ATM's. Not only do I get the interbank rate of exchange there are no transaction charges. If you swap money from your bank account into the credit card account a few days after withdrawal the amount of interest will amount to a few pence, probably less than you would pay for servicing a Caxton Card?
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You are indeed wrong, as long as the statement is paid in full, the interest is only on the cash withdrawn.
To avoid mixing cash withdrawals and ordinary spending, thus making repaying cash easier, we have 2 Clarity cards, one in each of our names, and use one for spending and one for cash.
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We do similar but in the past used the Clarity for ATMs and Zero for purchases. Actually, since switching to Nationwide Flexplus we use their debit card for ATMs, the Select credit card for purchases and keep the Clarity and Zero in reserve. Belt and braces.....
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