Post Office money card

[SouthWestmom]

So I've just put £100 on to one as a test. Anyone used one before?

It's 2 euros to use a cash machine and also contactless.

Better than taking a debit/credit card?

Any downsides?

No one?

We took some cash and then used debit/ credit cards. Nationwide credit card had no fees for purchases and the debit card had no fees for cash withdrawals

Used the post office card in mallorca amd France and really like it. It is cheaper than debit if you don't have nationwide and we just used it as a debit card in shops and restaurants. If we needed money from the cash point then we took out a minimum of 100 euro so that we weren't being charged a lot.

Oh that's good to know thank you. So is Nationwide different to others?

A lot of banks charge fees for foreign transactions. Nationwide charge as above and some other banks may be similar

The Halifax Clarity card is the best option (as long as you pay it off on time). You are charged the official exchange rate at the time of the transaction, with no fees, and you get £20 cashback when you sign up.

www.halifax.co.uk/creditcards/clarity-card/

I'm just a bit nervous of either losing my card or getting large charges

Always use a combination of PostOffice card and cash, like the security of having it and loading it up gradually over the year before my holiday, anything left stays on it until the next holiday.. I tend to use it to draw out cash from machines rather than as a debit card, but it's handy for that too

Thanks @HoardingQueen I've just added £60 to it as a test. If I save a card to it I can top up from abroad and leave my debit cards at home.