Jet2, Ryanair, TUI and easyJet passengers issued Euros holiday money warning
A caution has been sounded for thousands of holidaymakers flying with Jet2, Ryanair, TUI and Easyjet this summer regarding the use of Euros abroad. UK tourists are being hit by foreign exchange fees that amount to a staggering £2.5 million annually, especially as the peak travel season gets underway.
Travellers are advised to reconsider using standard debit cards due to potential extra costs, with experts recommending specialist travel debit cards from providers such as Wise, Revolut or Currensea instead. These cards can offer significant savings by eliminating bank fees and can be over 0.5% cheaper than fee-free cards and more than 3% less expensive than high street banks' debit card options.
Tourists are also urged to steer clear of airport currency exchanges, which are notorious for their exorbitant rates. Personal finance expert Andrew Hagger warns: "Never buy or sell your currency at the airport. You'll lose around an extra £10 for every £100 you spend – just don't do it unless it's an absolute emergency."
Laith Khalaf from AJ Bell echoes this sentiment, stating: "Effectively buying money at the airport is a hefty tax on your holiday for not planning ahead."
The advice extends to obtaining travel money from the post office, another common choice among travellers. While individual post offices may have varying currency rates, ordering online in advance is almost always guaranteed to secure a better deal, reports Birmingham Live.
However, it's crucial to bear in mind that prepaid cards have their drawbacks – particularly when it comes to withdrawing small sums of cash. Certain providers may charge up to £5 for each cash withdrawal transaction overseas, turning it into a costly spending method.
Mr Hagger of the personal finance website MoneyComms advised: "If you pay in GBP this allows the overseas retailer or ATM to use an inferior local exchange rate which can prove way more expensive than the normal Visa or MasterCard exchange rates – this is known as Dynamic Currency Conversion."
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