Lyk card or debit card?

[BourbonAndTea]

Hi!

After some advice; should I get a Euro loaded Lyk card, or just use my debit card (Barclays) while away in Cyprus?

It depends whether your Barclays card charges fees and/or poorer exchange rates when abroad.

It says current exchange rate on the day of transaction.. so I guess it's a bit hit and miss..!

Hmm... no idea!

Monzo or starling!

Monzo definitely

Monzo without a doubt

Having a card that is not linked to your current account is a good idea. If lost you can freeze your Lyk card until you find it or realise it is definitely stolen. You don’t want to have to cancel a debit card on your current account if the same happens to it. You also don’t want someone clearing out your account. You don’t get charged with Lyk for spending in shops, bars and restaurants but will be charged for cash withdrawals from ATMs.

We usually take a mixture of currency, lyk card, and Santander Zero and Halifax Clarity credit cards (also not linked to our current accounts.)

I've never heard of Lyk, do you get the Mastercard rate or is there a loading? Is there a monthly fee and do they charge to load the card?

Starling charge you the Mastercard exchange rate with no fees or commission and pay 0.5% interest on balances, so is pretty much unbeatable.

www.barclays.co.uk/travel/using-debit-card-abroad/ says 2.75% fee. I'd use a cheaper method

Thanks everyone!

Totally forgot I have a Starling Card, so I'll use that!

Starling all the way.