DS going to Spain soon. Please tell me THE best way of paying while he’s out there. Had been told about the Post Office Travel money card but recent reviews on the app don’t fill me with confidence.

[Elle7]

Apologies, asking here for traffic as it’s been some years since I went abroad!

DS is going to Spain next week and will be staying with his friend’s family.

I’m going to send him with some Euros but rather than using his bank card while he’s out there is there a better option? Have been told about the Post Office travel card, which we could add money to but the recent reviews state how glitchy the app is.

Any tips would be very gratefully received!

I’ll buy you all a ‘virtual’ ice cream as a thank you! 🙏🏻

Can you get him a Revolut card? You can top it up using an app.

Why can’t he use his bank card?

Apple Pay ?

Revolut is great, easy to keep track of and you can top up as needed. You can get it linked on Apple Pay too.

A Monzo card saved me so much money as it gives you the best exchange rate.

He can but there’s no charges with a travel card. Although I’ve no idea how much the bank charges are?

DS has just been interrailing around Europe and opened a Starling bank account which doesn't charge for withdrawals or currency conversions in Europe. It's essentially just a debit card, it's great!

I bank with Barclays and recently used my card in Europe. You can set up a"travel wallet" with a fixed amount of euros in and spend using card as normal. It appears you when travel wallet balance is low. Was very simple to use

The PO card is fine, my DS has just used it and I had the app on my phone so I could see where he was and if he needed a top up. The app has played up a bit with certain banks but you can still top up at post office or on the website.

Post Office card works no problem.

He should take additional regular credit or debit card as back up

I always use Monzo

How old is he, who does he bank with. Some banks like Co op, Nationwide, Chase offer free Euro transactions. Much more efficient than cash.

Check Martin Lewis. But you have left it rather late 😕 can you trust him with cash?

How old is he and how much is he likely to be spending?

Chase card. Best thing for abroad, not fees, best exchange rate and really safe plus the app is the easiest thing ever. I get cashes too so use is as my daily spending account.

Will have a look into this, thank you. He goes next Thursday though so time is running out (last minute organisation as usual).

Monzo/Revoult all those digital banks work fine with no fees

The chase account gives you a digital card straight away to use in your Apple/android wallet. Please be aware that Revolut is not protected if they go under.

I always use Monzo. Looked at Revolut but they don’t pay you interest. In fact I think they charge you instead?

My kids and me used Revolut card recently in Italy, I think there are no money transaction/currency exchange charges? Worked really well and you can track and top up kids card if linked to yours, or block if lost etc. would recommend.

I use a Wise card. It's great. I think it is basically the same as revolut.

He’s 17, bank account with NatWest.

Maybe too late for this time but there's loads of info on the money sites about which card is best, usually the same names come up each year, mostly online applocation process

Thanks for this info 🙏🏻

We've just come back from holiday, absolutely no issues with the PO card.