Holiday Virgin! 😂

We took some cash and used a credit card that had no fee for purchases and a debit card with no fee for cash withdrawals

Get a revolut card you top it up through an app - you get great rates and if you lost card or something you can easily just block the card in the app and transfer the money left on it back to your own bank account !! I wouldn’t be without it

With my bank I have to tell them the dates I'm abroad and where - can do this online - if you don't they can block cards.

Travel insurance - I've just got through Insure and Go which was great as its reasonably priced and covers my pre-existing medical conditions. Used AA in past and fine when needed to claim but they don't cover if you are going through medical tests.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel-insurance/

Some good info on travel insurance here x

If you are flying you can't take any liquids over 100ml in hand luggage - even the ones under have to go in a clear plastic bag. If you wear heels they will ask you to take them off and scan your shoes / boots.

Skyscanner is a good site to find cheap flights though I always book direct with airline to avoid problems.

Open a Starling account - no charges on cash withdrawals or transactions.

We have a Halifax credit card where we don't get charged for withdrawing cash abroad.

EHIC if Europe/EEA, make sure you use .gov site and not a charging intermediary. Most places have cashpoints

You don’t need to tell your bank anymore. Currently in west Africa no issues using my cards

Open a starling, Monzo or Bo account you can get a fee free card to use abroad.

Travel insurance - we switch about only tip is If going to the EU get your Free EHIC cards and don’t take the insurance for travel agent or tour operators as massively over priced.

Us one of the comparison sites and see what fits your requirements best.

Where you off too may get some other useful tips.

Most importantly enjoy it.

Where are you going?

We both have to tell our banks or they block cards. May depend on your bank.

We used to have to tell our bank (nationwide) but now we dont. I think they advise you to use it at the airport before leaving (but might be mistaken)

I wasnt mistaken:

Check your balance in a cash machine or buy something using Chip and PIN at an air or sea port. This lets our systems know you’re about to travel. Just note we may still contact you about transactions abroad.

Letting the bank know is old school - not a thing anymore !! Cards will sometime get locked whether you tell them or not - they will usually only send a text to ask if you are abroad and you respond with a “yes” card then gets unlocked - I just got back from India and this is how it went anyway

But if you get a currency card you won’t need to use normal bank acc anyway

This is NWB, says to tell them if you don't want to risk card being blocked:

supportcentre.natwest.com/olb/cards/aa1a/913241312/I-am-going-abroad-and-don-t-want-my-card-to-be-blocked-what-should-I-do.htm

HSBC: Always let bank know you are travelling:
www.hsbc.co.uk/international/managing-your-money-travelling/

Must depend on the bank

Was told by HSBC, starling and Bo didn’t need to tell them.

Ours is through our bank account