Cash Machine Exchange Rate

Nugget wrote:Have you thought about a Euro currency card? I've got one from CaxtonFx, http://www.caxtonfxcard.com/ It's like having a Euro bank account without cheques and direct debits. I've had one for 2 years and used it in hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, petrol stations, lift pass kiosks and ATM's without ever being charged. You top it up on-line (or via mobile phone). Today's rate is €1.18 to £1 and if I transfered funds today that's what I'd get, no hidden charges. It's free to obtain one other than putting an initial amount on the card. I tend to add to it every month which is a good way to save spends for hols.

:thumbup: What a nuggett ;)

BUT, where were you when I was planning to go away? I go on saturday, too late now :evil:

Icema, Post Office do something similar that you may be able to sort out on time if you are desperate. The pre-loaded Euro cards are excellent.

Cheers Dobby, will certainly take a look at that. I can see me "working from home" on Friday will be quite handy :)

I use a Caxton FX currency card, the money is transfared at a better rate than your bank will and there is no extra charge for withdrawal. It can also be loaded direct from your UK bank account by phone, text or on the web. Has saved me on all sorts of sur-charges. They have a card for EUR and USD and also a worldwide card so options for any currency. It was the top recommendation on money saving expert site.

How do these things work? Load them up & stick them in an ATM or use like a debit card?

They are just like using your debit card at home in effect it is like having a EUR bank account, so you can use them in shops etc as a debit card and also in cash machines for cash. The exchange rate is fixed at the time of transfare and there are no extra charges. You can load them at any time via your phone, text or the web with a link to your UK bank account, any unspent funds can be transfared back to your current account once you get home. Simples

ah ok

So i could use them as a card in shops etc then draw beans from an ATM to spend in teh bar etc....

Wish I knew earlier. Will explore on my working from home day!

I got my card about 3 days after I had applied on the website, you need to load it with an initial £10 (or EUR can't remember) and then can load away up to 5K at a time (useful if your in France LOL), have had no problems whatsoever it is basically a visa debit card but has pre-loaded funds that have been converted into EUR. I know the Post Office offer a similar card however they have restrictions on loading (£250 a day or some other small amount if you go on the lash) and i remember not having a text service to load and check your balance which is great as you avoid costly calls back to the UK. My only reservation was who is Caxton but 2 years in and all is ok - also i think they are regulated by UK authorities and therefore covered by the bank guarantee as per your normal bank account.