Pre-paid credit card

[JudgeyJudy]

I'm off to Florida in a few weeks. I've been saving madly for ages so have quite a bit of cash. I don't have a credit card because of my very tight budget. Has anyone used a pre-paid credit card?

Not a pre paid credit card but I use a debit card that you load up with cash prior to going away. And you can load it t up with more than you need just in case and just draw it out when you get home.

Get a Starling bank account and card and you will get the Mastercard interbank exchange rate (best rate) and no charges/fees. Or Monzo, which is similar although they now limit fee free cash withdrawals from ATMS to a max of £200 every 30 days.

Thankyou @buttermilkwaffles I'll look at those online.
@CurlsandCurves which debit card did you use?

We use a Revolut card for overseas. Best exchange rate, easy to top up with Sterling and lots of security.

I have used a Mastercard Cash Passport from Sainsbury's Bank, Revolut and Monzo, and I have been very happy with all 3.

Just ordered a Sainsbury's Cash Passport. Thanks @misscph1973

If you order travel currency and pay with a Sainsbury's credit card, you get extra Nectar points.

The app is easy to use, great for following your spending and topping up.

I had endless problems with Revolut - app stopped working (card is useless without app) - contacted support, said it was urgent as I was going away in 2 weeks - they said tech support was looking into it but never got back to me. Tried using card anyway as had a few hundred pounds on it - all payments were rejected. (Luckily I had a monzo card as a back-up). Tried using it back in the UK - payments still rejected. Contacted support again - no response. Deleted app and left it for a few months - reinstalled app and it amazingly it now worked. Tried card - payments still being refused. Transferred balance back to my bank account and gave up. :(

I have heard about problems with Revolut, buttermilk, and I have experienced some hickups with the app, but nothing major.

I think it's always good to take more than one card with you. I had an easyjet pre-paid card, and on on holiday the PIN didn't work and there was zero support. I often take a pre-paid card, credit card, debit card and sometimes also cash just in case. And there are still places that don't accept Mastercard, and pre-paid cards are not good for deposits on car hire (I refuse to use that kind of car hire place as they always find a way to withhold your deposit. I would rather pay a but more for full insurance and peace of mind).

I think I'd put on the minimal amount, then check it's all working abroad before adding more.

Yeah I used the Thomas cook one in new York with no problems

I used the Thomas cook one

My family and I travelled to Florida 2 years ago. For the first time ever I put £4000 on a travel card from Thomas cook. On the 4th day we realised someone had somehow taken every last penny from the travel card. Luckily for us we had a credit card with us to use for the duration of our holiday.

Lesson learnt DO NOT let any restaurant or bar staff take your card to a till without you watching their every move.

Hope you all have a fantastic holiday x

I have aa travel cards in both sterling and euros, I love them and have never had problems. I like being able to add a bit of spare money if I have it throughout the year.

If you are hiring a car you will need a credit card. The fees for using a debit card in the US are brutal so a credit card is definitely the way to go.