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Original poster

Paying abroad

54 replies

curlycurlymoo · 30/07/2024 11:19

I haven't been abroad for well over ten years. Is it still the expectation that you taking your spending money with you? Or can I use my bank card to pay for things?

OP posts:
Cudafrog · 31/07/2024 15:15

I'd also say go for a mix of some cash (order in advance for best rates) and the Revolut card. It is really easy to use, the conversion rates are much better than you will get elsewhere (so long as you exchange Mon-Fri and don't go over the £1000 monthly limit). My husband got an actual physical card version but I just went for the free virtual card which was on my phone more or less as soon as I had applied. Revolut gets recommended on MSE.

Pootle40 · 31/07/2024 15:20

I use a currency card which I preload and then use as needed to pay for stuff or withdraw cash when I'm there.

Maddy70 · 31/07/2024 15:29

Use your card. Pay in euros to get the best rate

helpfulperson · 31/07/2024 15:44

Maddy70 · 31/07/2024 15:29

Use your card. Pay in euros to get the best rate

Depends where she is going. Not everywhere uses cards as much as we do and Euros won't work if she is off to Morocco for example.

Maddy70 · 31/07/2024 22:00

helpfulperson · 31/07/2024 15:44

Depends where she is going. Not everywhere uses cards as much as we do and Euros won't work if she is off to Morocco for example.

Show quote history

Well obviously i was talking eu countries ;)

spotddog · 31/07/2024 22:07

Apologies to read all.

My experience is; if you use CREDIT CARD only, is to put it into credit so that you can pay and draw cash as needed. If you owe CREDIT CARD, you will pay interest on full amount.

Always worth having some cash for local transactions.

Zonder · 31/07/2024 22:11

curlycurlymoo · 30/07/2024 19:43

Have absolutely no idea what my bank would charge as this query hasn't come up for years. I think I might be better off taking my bank card but mainly cash.

Where are you going? We have found on some of our travels that places wont take cash.

Money saving expert did a thing a while ago about which bank cards bring charges. I remember Monzo doesn't and we had one of those so used that on our last couple of trips.

dementedpixie · 31/07/2024 22:47

curlycurlymoo · 30/07/2024 19:43

Have absolutely no idea what my bank would charge as this query hasn't come up for years. I think I might be better off taking my bank card but mainly cash.

Google it then. The bank should have the info online about their charges for foreign transactions/cash withdrawals

seeminglyranch · 01/08/2024 08:01

As people have stated, not all banks are the same, so posts which say “your bank will charge…” just refer to their bank and not yours. My bank doesn’t charge me and nor does it’s linked credit card.
revolut and other cards are generally pretty cheap.
it is my experience that Amex is very expensive abroad so I don’t bother.
get some cash for (oftentimes) taxis and tips but large sums of cash is always a bit of a risk when you’re away. A Japanese athlete just had €2500 stolen from his room in the Olympic village! It’s an easy target.

Iasonnas · 01/08/2024 08:20

Monzo is the best to use in most countries.

focacciamuffin · 01/08/2024 08:26

Iasonnas · 01/08/2024 08:20

Monzo is the best to use in most countries.

Unless you use Chase which is better because it has no charges and gives you 1% cashback on purchases. Starling comes a close second.

I had a Monzo card and dropped it when they introduced charges for cash withdrawals abroad.

Iasonnas · 01/08/2024 08:40

Ah, only over your ATM limit. I never need to withdraw over £200 abroad, we travel frequently and haven't had to do so for any reason so far.

I didn't know about the Chase cashback though.

MyOtherCarisAVauxhallZafira · 01/08/2024 08:42

Get a Monzo or revolut. They have good rates and no charges. I always take a bit of cash for little things, ice cream, bottle of water. You don't want to be putting a euro or two on a card, it might not cost you but it costs the seller

Lincslady53 · 01/08/2024 21:13

ObliviousCoalmine · 30/07/2024 15:51

Starling. No fees. I've not needed any cash abroad for last few years.

This. No charges on purchases and if you use an atm some banks, Unica? have no charges too. You also get good exchange rates, we got €1.18 to the £ last month in Spain.

Lincslady53 · 01/08/2024 21:14

We always take some cash for tips and small purchases too.

dahliadiva · 01/08/2024 21:17

Just take a load of cash. Miles simpler. Never been told I can't pay in cash.

DecafDodger · 01/08/2024 21:31

Wise card. No fees and much better excnhange rates than high street banks.

annieannietomjoe · 01/08/2024 21:48

Take a wise account...get it on Apple Pay...cheapest way

Iasonnas · 02/08/2024 07:50

"Just take a load of cash. Miles simpler. Never been told I can't pay in cash."

Hope you don't want to eat or drink on the plane then 🤣 and you're happy with the crap exchange rates and even worse ones for anything left over. Terrible way to do it.

BluebirdBoogie · 02/08/2024 07:55

I was like you and ended up getting a Chase card. It's app only, you don't get charged fees and you get 1% cashback.

I transferred my spending money for my holiday to the account before I left.

Zonder · 02/08/2024 08:49

Iasonnas · 02/08/2024 07:50

"Just take a load of cash. Miles simpler. Never been told I can't pay in cash."

Hope you don't want to eat or drink on the plane then 🤣 and you're happy with the crap exchange rates and even worse ones for anything left over. Terrible way to do it.

I wondered if this pp pays with cash all the time in UK too. That was the only way it made sense to me.

rookiemere · 02/08/2024 08:51

I use a wise card or post office card mostly as they are so easy to load up and change currencies if you don't spend it all. It's good to have some cash for tips or buying small things from stalls, but I have been to Krakow recently with no cash.

BikesIHaveLost · 02/08/2024 08:57

dahliadiva · 01/08/2024 21:17

Just take a load of cash. Miles simpler. Never been told I can't pay in cash.

Do you not get out much?

Ginmonkeyagain · 02/08/2024 09:20

I have a Monzo accout for travelling. I also take some cash as it can be useful. We were in France last month and some more old fashioned bars and restaurants did not take cards still.

Beware the USA as well, they can still be a bit odd about contactless and chip & pin so we found it easier sometimes to pay in cash to avoid the whole signing faff.

Bjorkdidit · 02/08/2024 20:08

I'm in a city in Germany right now and already we had to withdraw cash to pay a 30 odd euro lunch bill.

Even Spain which was cash dominated seems to have embraced cards but I think you have to be ready for all eventualities and also understand how your card charges for overseas payments.