Talk to me as if I’m an idiot - holiday money / Spain

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I’m going on my first foreign holiday in nearly 20 years in June. This alone is a huge deal for me because I’m disabled, my son is disabled and so until now we’ve never really felt confident enough to go for it but with some inheritance and a bit of a “let’s do it” attitude we’ve booked a break in Ibiza, the quiet part of the island, in a nice resort. I’ve organised special assistance etc, private transfers as we both have blue badges etc. But - what I’m struggling with is spending money. What do people do nowadays? Should I get actual cash / euros to spend? Just use my debit card - how much is this going to cost me? Pre paid card?! I’m so confused. The last time I went anywhere was to Greece when I was 20 and we took travellers cheques 😆😳🙈

Help me out.

Thank you so much for all your lovely replies and helpful comments. I’m still lurking and reading! ❤️

I hope you have a wonderful time too 💐😁

I use a Wise card, recommended by Martin Lewis. Very easy to get an online account. Great rates for exchanging currency. Simple App and low fees for currency conversion.

I use Monzo but there is a limit on the free service abroad unless it is your main bank account. I can’t remember the exact criteria but it’s to do with direct debits and money being paid in.

Bear in mind that there's a lot of utter bollocks on this thread.

They're not going to turn away a family with accommodation and return flights booked because they don't have 'enough' spending money with them.

Even when the passport control officer at Menorca airport asked me where I was staying and I said 'a camper van' which was true, he didn't bat an eyelid or question us any further.

They might start looking at the means of someone who turned up on a one way ticket and a vague plan to stay with a friend but otherwise, not an issue.

Debit or credit cards can be the cheapest way, or a very expensive way, but it absolutely depends on which card. Some are unbeatable in terms of exchange rate and lack of charges, but others will charge a fixed fee for every transaction, as well as take a chunk of the exchange rate, so work out very expensive if you use to pay for every last meal, coffee, ice cream etc.

For the last few years, I've found it very hard in Spain to find a cash machine that doesn't charge, so we now take a smallish amount of Euros (£50 to £100 worth) and also make sure we have plenty available in our Starling accounts and just pay for most things with those. We also have a Santander Zero credit card with a high limit which also doesn't charge any fees or loading and we use that if we need to leave a hire car or hotel deposit, so it doesn't impact our normal spending.

Have a lovely time OP.

I always take a few hundred euros that I've exchanged at post office or Sainsbury’s, whoever has the best rate. And a credit card.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money/

This should help you understand the options in more detail.

I have nationwide accounts - debit lets me take cash out commission free, credit lets me spend on credit commission free.
I also have a chase account, which does the same. But I tend to use the nationwide credit card for the added protection.

Flash sale in travel money at Post Office today until Friday 31st. Online sales of travel money card or in cash.
The TMC card is very easy to use and you can change money back to sterling or into another currency for your next holiday if you have some left over at the end.
You top up your card online or via the app so it can't access your bank account. For some people that might be inconvenient but I prefer the security of that.

I use a starling card plus cash. I’d say always take some cash just in case.

Presumably you’ve applied for your GHIC card as well as getting your insurance? https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/

It’s worth joining a Facebook group for Ibiza or your particular resort as they can give you info about things like where and how to access medical treatment easily if it is needed. And where the cheapest cash machines are!

For the last few years, I've found it very hard in Spain to find a cash machine that doesn't charge

I thought it was just me. There are several guides to finding fee free ATMs online but I have found them to be unreliable/useless. Apparently, Deutsche Bank doesn’t charge, if you can find one.

Op, open a chase card. It's perfect for foreign holiday spends , fully protected etc, and if you use it in the uk as a daily account you get Cashback and can save using round ups. I've earned £120 since I opened mine 8 months ago. It also comes with the option to have up to ten different saving pots for birthdays/Xmas/holidays etc. I LOVE my chase card.

I would take a small amount of cash- for buying coffee or ice creams sort of thing. Plus a debit card- you will get a better exchange rate than using your U.K. bank debit card with one of the online banking options- I use Wise, there are others like Revolut and Starling Bank.

My Wise card is equally accepted in the U.K. and in the EU- I applied online and the card arrived in a few days. I can top up the card from my U.K. bank app, receive payments directly to the account from other people, withdraw cash. I get a better exchange rate than from a high street bank, and I keep a U.K. balance and a Euro balance on the same card - really easy on their app.

Enjoy your holiday!

I'd definitely take some euros in cash. If for any reason you can't get a fee-free debit/credit card, I'd recommend a Currensea card as was mentioned by a PP. You don't need to open a new bank account as it's linked to your existing UK bank account. Very easy to apply online and your card should arrive in a few days. You'll still pay some fees on foreign transactions, but only 0.5%, which is much less than most banks charge. Higher fees apply for cash withdrawals overseas. Card is valid for five years and the app gives you a clear view of your spending and also of how much you're saving compared to what your bank would charge.
Have a lovely trip!

I Am in Spain atm

definitely bring cash!!

taxi from airport return taxi. Taxis whilst you’re there. Tips. Ice creams and delicious Street seller food. i could go on…

My, I haven´t paid a taxi in cash for a very long time! Mastercard every time.

Do you never get anything from a local food stall
never go to a market?
taxi?

Yes, and some of the food stalls have dataphones for cards too, I pay all my taxi rides with Mastercard and my local greengrocer takes cards also. I think I could scrape a Euro in cash from my purse if I was pressed...

We have a Monzo account we use for holidays. They don’t charge for using your card and I save our spending money in little pots over the year. I usual do take about 25% of our spending in cash but I like this in case we lost our cards. Have the best time x

You need to find out what your own bank charges. I bank with Bank of Scotland and their fees for using a debit card abroad are exorbitant.

I have a special credit card (Halifax Clarity) for travel as they don't charge any additional fees for overseas transactions. I put all of my spending on that but do try to remember to take about 100 euros for emergencies/ no card situations with me.

I have a Halifax clarity credit card (Mastercard) I’ve used it all over the world with no issues. And take a small amount of cash as back up

Must be in an area very set up for tourists.

We found that in Menorca, one bus company only took cards and one only took cash, or something similarly inconvenient.

We got on the cash only bus with no cash, after we'd paid with cards on the bus going the other way and had to get off and go find money then wait for the next one.