Thursday, July 3, 2014

Travelex Cash Passport

Travelex Cash Passport - London Forum - TripAdvisor
very expensive:
11% markup for Travelex Cash Passport
3% markup for purchases with your credit card
6% markup for $100 worth of foreign cash from an ATM using your debit card
4.5% markup for $200 worth of foreign cash from an ATM using your debit card
4% markup for $300 worth of foreign cash from an ATM using your debit card
$1000 worth of hotel rooms costs you $30 extra with your credit card or $110 extra with the Travelex Cash Passport. Why are you even considering a Cash Passport?
How much will Travelex charge you when you use your Passport loaded with pounds to make a euro purchase in France? Another 11%?

Travel money or pre-paid currency card: which is best? | Money | The Guardian
Prepaid currency cards are, their promoters claim, safer than carrying cash, give holidaymakers better exchange rates and are cheaper than using a debit or credit card abroad. But beware the small-print charges that can soon wipe out any savings the cards may offer.

This week Guardian Money compared the main players in the prepaid card market. They can offer good exchange rates, but we also found some with add-on ATM fees and "inactivity" fees that for many people will make them more expensive than using traditional debit cards.
 How to Avoid Paying Bank Fees While Traveling | Nomadic Matt's Travel Site
 
First, pick a bank in the Global ATM Network. This is a network of large banks that have come together and waived fees and allow for free ATM withdrawals. While they have the highest fees ($5 USD per withdrawal) for banks outside their network, by using partner ATMs you can avoid ATM charges.
Below is a list of major banks in this alliance:
  • Bank of America (United States)
  • Barclays (England, Wales, Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar and certain countries in Africa)

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