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Original poster

Travelling tomorrow. ..can I get pre-paid card from anywhere today?

22 replies

Notveryadventurousname · 18/08/2018 11:12

Just that really. DD (19), travelling to Denmark tomorrow. Is it better to get one of the pre-paid travel cards for security and a better exchange rate?? Ideally to use for contact-less purchases and aldo to withdraw money from cashpoints when she is there? I think they use Danish Krone rather than Euro so not quite sue how it works. And as she has left it to the last minute, cam we get one of these anywhere today?

If anyone knows about these things and can give advice I would be very grateful...thanks! ☺

OP posts:
Original poster
Notveryadventurousname · 18/08/2018 11:12

can...not cam...sorry?

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IWantMyHatBack · 18/08/2018 11:15

Almost everywhere takes cards, so you don't need to worry about cash too much. Get a few DKK, but assume that everything will be by card.

How long is she going for? There are pre paid travel cards that you can buy in advance for trains/buses. I'll find the link if that sounds useful. You just keep the confirmation on your phone.

I just used my normal credit card, but was only there a few days so wasn't worried about the exchange rate

Original poster
Notveryadventurousname · 18/08/2018 11:20

and ! .. not ?

No wonder my off-spring can't organise their own travel money!

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IWantMyHatBack · 18/08/2018 11:26

Where is she travelling to? Just Copenhagen or all over?

Original poster
Notveryadventurousname · 18/08/2018 11:32

Thank you IWantMyHatBack. She doesn't have a credit card, just normal bank debit card but it doesn't work as contactless. I haven't beeb abroad for a while so a bit out of touch. But have heard that it is expensive to use a normal bank debit card abroad as they use a more expensive exchange rate than the pre-paid cards, and also charge for cashpoint withdrawals?

That's why we were hoping to go somewhere today and get the pre-paid card that she could load money into if poss.

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DolorestheNewt · 18/08/2018 11:34

anything useful on this thread?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/3339306-Taking-money-on-trip-to-NY

Original poster
Notveryadventurousname · 18/08/2018 11:37

Just Copenhagen I think.

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Original poster
Notveryadventurousname · 18/08/2018 11:38

Sorry...I should have said is just for 5 days,

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NoSquirrels · 18/08/2018 11:38

Pretty sure you won’t get a card issued instantly anywhere ... how would they print it with her name on? And it’s the weekend...

Try the Post Office?

NoSquirrels · 18/08/2018 11:42

She can check with her bank the withdrawals rate for cash abroad (some Now waive fees). Otherwise old-fashioned cash converted is the way forward.

Original poster
Notveryadventurousname · 18/08/2018 11:42

Thanks, I think the difference with that thread is pre-planning, their DD is travelling in October....mine (19 and constantly telling me she is an adult) has left it to the last minute!

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buttermilkwaffles · 18/08/2018 17:45

Obv too late now but if you were in/near London I think Metro bank will issue a card there and then, are open on Saturday mornings and they have no fees for card payments in Europe (not worldwide).

Overall your best bet would be Starling (no fees for payments or atm withdrawals) but would need to allow at least 5 working days for card to arrive (although it can come the next day, still doesn't help you now though obv).

I would check what the fees are with the card she has, avoid small payments on the card and probably make one or two larger cash withdrawals from an ATM to use cash for most purchases. I am afraid any fees will just be the price you (she) pays for leaving it too late.
For 5 days (although Copenhagen is an expensive city) the fees should not amount to that much for such a short tripe.

Also don't exchange money at the airport and don't accept the offer by card machines/ATMS to convert the amount into pounds.

There is a list of banks and what they charge here, but check the website of your bank for the most up to date information: moneyfacts.co.uk/guides/travel/dont-be-caught-out-by-overseas-card-charges300611/

MongerTruffle · 18/08/2018 17:47

The official Visa/MasterCard rate is the best exchange rate you will ever get.

Original poster
Notveryadventurousname · 18/08/2018 19:10

Thanks so much everyone and esp. Buttermilk for the very helpful detail. We went into town today and found that you can buy the pre-paid travel cards instantly at the Post Office, Asda, TUI (seemed expensive ) and Thomas Cook (lyk card). I'm sure there are others, that was as far as we got. You can load them all with cash when you buy, then top up through an app. The attractions of this for me are security and only loading on as much as you need.

Unfortunately none of them deal in Danish Krone so would have to load card with sterling and pay a percentage fee or lose a bit on exchange rate in every purchase. Inevitable really. Two of the assistants recommended cash instead as is only a short trip so I think she'll be buying krone in Copenhagen after all.

Forward planning lesson learned! Thanks again all! Grin

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IWantMyHatBack · 18/08/2018 20:09

Here's the travel pass thing - sorry I meant to post the link earlier. Its unlimited travel and you can select how many days you want to use it for.

dinoffentligetransport.dk/hjaelp-til-billetter/billetter-og-kort/periodebilletter/citypass-english/

IWantMyHatBack · 18/08/2018 20:10

(I know you mean you want a preloaded credit card, btw.. I'm just suggesting this as the easiest/cheapest option for getting around)

IWantMyHatBack · 18/08/2018 20:13

Wow. I've just checked and it's 300DKK for 5 days

BarbaraofSevillle · 19/08/2018 07:43

I think 300DKK is about £30-35 so that seems reasonable, depending on what it covers. Denmark is quite an expensive country.

In my limited experience, it is the norm in Denmark to charge 2-5% extra for credit card payments, so something to factor in when deciding how to pay for things. Cash and debit cards have no extra charge from the retailer, but cash withdrawl and debit card payments may have extra charges from the issuing bank.

Probably best to check what her bank charges for cash withdrawals and pay that way - if they charge a fee per transaction, don't take out lots of small amounts, but don't take out one big lump as risk of loss or theft obviously. Also usually cheapest if machine offers to convert to pounds to decline and let your own bank set the exchange rate, but this might not be the case if your bank charges a fee and a percentage on the exchange rate, which some do.

Not a straightforward answer and there's a lot of 'it depends' and I often think that this sort of real world maths would be usefully taught in schools as maths lessons, along with taking out credit and buying gas, electric and mobile phone contracts etc.

MeetOnTheLedge · 19/08/2018 08:02

We've just been to Copenhagen - we used a pass on the travel app linked above and it made getting about very easy, you can use it on the water bus as well as on land and it has all the travel and timetable info too. We also used the CityMapper app for real time travel info.

We found that card payment was the default more than in the UK - we had lunch at a big undercover market and one of the stalls we used didn't accept cash.

IWantMyHatBack · 19/08/2018 08:07

Sorry yes, I meant that I was impressed by how cheap it was (then forgot to include the GBP amount, helpfully)

emski1972 · 19/08/2018 12:00

Moneycorp
Order online and pay at the airport
They give you the card and pin
It’s super easy and you use it like a debit card.
Their rates are good too

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