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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask a novice question about money and travel

24 replies

Mintyraindrop · 29/02/2020 19:43

My son is going on holiday to Holland in a few weeks. It's been over 20 years since I was last on a holiday abroad, so I'm hoping you can advise. Is it best to take enough cash with him to cover his spending money, or is he better to just take a small amount cash and use his debit card. He's a bit careless, so I've visions of him loosing his money if he takes too much cash but then would the charges be expensive if he uses his debit card instead?

OP posts:
MindatWork · 29/02/2020 19:45

He’ll get charged for using his debit card abroad OP (each transaction I think) - he could apply for a pre-paid debit card like Monzo or Revolut that you can manage from your phone and use abroad for free, but not sure if he would get one in time? Might be worth checking out x

TiptopJ · 29/02/2020 19:50

Yeah banks usually charge a fee and a percentage everytime you use your bank card abroad unless otherwise stated. For security go with some cash and a pre paid card. All travel agents and beauros do one

DonkeyKong2019 · 29/02/2020 19:52

I take a travel card, a small amount of cash and my usual debit cards for emergencies

AhoyMrBeaver · 29/02/2020 19:53

He could get a Starling account. There's no fee for purchases or withdrawals abroad, and he can keep a good eye on his funds on the app.

DonkeyKong2019 · 29/02/2020 19:53

And I'm super dopey with money too hence having lots of sources when abroad

Neverender · 29/02/2020 19:59

Revolut is brilliant

AGoodPodcastAndANiceCupOfTea · 29/02/2020 20:00

I use a Revolut account which I is really handy. I earn in euros so when I am in the UK I transfer some money from my euro account into my Revolut account using my euro debit card (free) and then transfer this into the pounds sterling branch of my Revolut account. I then use my Revolut card to pay for anything while I'm there which is free because it's effectively a pounds sterling account. I do the same if I'm in the Czech Republic or any country that isn't Euros. The great benefit is that if you have money left you can transfer it back to your main currency without losing money so I no longer need to estimate what I'll need so I save a fortune in charges.
You can have as many 'currency accounts' as you want on your Revolut and it's great. I have a physical card for the account (free) and my dh and I also use it to send money to each other. We use out with Apple Pay so it has all the benefits of a normal bank but it's way more flexible. In have friends who use it as their main bank account and I do think it's a really great option for those of us who travel frequently or shop in a variety of currencies. If he Googles Revolut it'll come up straightaway.
I promise I don't work for themGrin

lidoshuffle · 29/02/2020 20:06

I havee a Starling account for travel abroad. Transfer money in and when using abrad there are no charges. It automatically tells you what you've spent in Sterling as well as local currency too, so you can keep track.

It's so good I use it now as my current account at home.

CecilyP · 29/02/2020 20:13

He shouldn’t use his debit card for small purchases as he will be charged every time. The simplest way is to take sufficient cash to keep him going, then do just one cash withdrawal to cover the rest of his trip.

AhoyMrBeaver · 29/02/2020 20:17

He shouldn’t use his debit card for small purchases as he will be charged every time.

Not with all accounts. I use my Starling debit card as I do at home when I'm abroad ie for everything.

Original poster
Mintyraindrop · 29/02/2020 20:51

Thank you very much for your suggestions. I'll look into them now. x

OP posts:
GetMeOffThisCycleOfMisery · 01/03/2020 07:10

If he downloads the Monzo app and applies for a card, it will be with him in a couple of days.

WingingIt101 · 01/03/2020 07:33

We use the Sainsbury’s currency card abroad! Works just like a debit card but you tell them wheat amount and currency you want on it. Can be used for atm withdrawals and direct payments so if you need cash there it’s easy to get. Only one charge for initial load up just as you’d pay when converting to cash in the foreign currency!

BarbaraofSeville · 01/03/2020 08:07

Yes, read the Moneysavingexpert guide linked to above. He needs to get a Starling account and pay his spending money, plus a contingency into that.

He could get a small amount of euros (£20-50) in the UK, either from anywhere that sells them, or ask friends or family if anyone has any lying around that you could buy as many people who travel regularly just keep what they have left over until their next trip.

Charges on other cards could be anywhere from not to bad to completely horrendous eg a fixed fee for every transaction, which would add up massively if he paid for everything by card.

lljkk · 01/03/2020 08:43

I think most people only take debit card or take card + a little bit of cash. I need to organise my own Euros for 2 quick trips, soon, too.

KahlanRahl · 01/03/2020 08:47

If he is a bit careless I would suggest spreading the money. Amsterdam is notorious for pickpockets.

sorryiasked · 01/03/2020 08:51

As a one off I'd just get a travel card - I have one from caxton which is really easy to use. In the past I've had them from sainsbury and Asda - just order via their currency service.

DropZoneOne · 01/03/2020 08:56

I recommend Revolut too. Takes minutes to set up, and he'll receive his card in a week. You don't even need to load it with euros. Just transfer sterling from his main bank account to Revolut, and then as he uses the Revolut card it will charge the sterling account at the euro spot rate. No fees. At the end of the trip, once all transactions have completed, transfer remaining sterling back to main bank account. The only benefit to converting the sterling to euro up front on Revolut is to fix the exchange rate for your trip.

jillandhersprite · 01/03/2020 08:58

Even if you don't get it sorted for this trip - a prepaid card that you can load with foreign currency we find the easiest. Once abroad you withdraw cash or use as a debit card in the local currency with no fees.
We like the Caxton FX one - has multiple currencies and you can have multiple cards on the account. So not carrying lots of cash and if one goes missing/stolen then there's another one. Also useful if you are border hopping - we spend a lot of time in Italy but might find ourselves in Switzerland for the day. We have some Swiss francs loaded so can pay debit card for coffees and not have to ensure we are carrying local cash (works because in Switzerland everyone seems to take card!)

Celeriacacaca · 01/03/2020 09:11

I have a Nationwide debut card which doesn't charge for use abroad. Even better, I have a Starling card and it's brilliant. My DCs have them too. So much easier to manage.

buttermilkwaffles · 01/03/2020 09:43

Also make sure that he rejects any offer by an ATM or card terminal to convert the amount into pounds as their exchange rate will be a rip off, adding 10 to 15%.

Plenty of time to apply for a Monzo or Starling card via the apps. These are proper bank accounts, not prepaid cards. Avoid Revolut as their customer service is awful.

AGoodPodcastAndANiceCupOfTea · 02/03/2020 19:37

@buttermilkwaffles I found the customer service at Revolut to be good.

okiedokieme · 02/03/2020 19:39

Depends on his bank, mine doesn't charge for debit card transactions (but does charge to withdraw money from an atm)

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