Latest news with #travelmoney
ABC News
6 days ago
- ABC News
What are your options when taking money overseas?
What do you look forward to the most before an overseas holiday? It's probably not the admin. Deciding how you're going to take money overseas is one of those tasks that can seem overwhelming. Here's what experts have to say about your options while travelling. If you're planning to use physical currency overseas, Angel Zhong, a professor of finance at RMIT University in Naarm/Melbourne, says you will often get a better exchange rate (converting your Australian currency into local currency) once you've reached your holiday destination. While converting cash into foreign currency in Australia is possible, services in convenient locations (such as the airport) are typically more expensive. Professor Zhong says she wouldn't carry thousands of dollars' worth of currency around on holiday with digital payment so widely accessible. Also, if you're leaving or entering Australia with more than $10,000 in cash, it needs to be declared. In many cases you can use an existing credit card or debit card while travelling overseas. Australian consumer advocacy group Choice says "Visa and Mastercard credit cards are accepted almost everywhere for purchases and cash withdrawals". Professor Zhong says it can be convenient to use your ordinary debit card or credit card, but you would "usually incur some foreign transaction cost". Before using an existing card overseas, she suggests checking the terms and conditions. We'll go into this in more detail shortly. Another option Choice highlights is low-fee debit cards "that don't charge a currency conversion fee" with a competitive exchange rate set by Visa or Mastercard. Source: Moneysmart If you're looking to take a card overseas, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) recommends shopping around, as exchange rates can vary between banks and travel card providers. When reviewing the terms and conditions of cards, you want to look out for fees. ASIC says charges may include "a foreign currency conversion fee, an overseas transaction charge or an additional cash advance fee (for credit cards)". Again, being across the terms and conditions of cards is key. While some cards have no foreign transaction fees, Professor Zhong says "it could be the case that their conversion rates are high". It can be difficult to compare exchange rates between lenders and their different cards (including travel money cards) because it varies from day to day. She says comparison websites may help. A travel money card, travel debit card or travel cash card is another option offered by banks and other lenders, such as airlines and travel agents. An ASIC spokesperson says, "You can add money in your preferred currency to most travel money cards before you leave Australia" and "most allow you to top up your card with extra currency if you need it while you're travelling." A prepaid travel card may even help you stick to your getaway budget and manage exchange rates because it can be loaded with a locked-in exchange rate before you depart. Choice notes that travel money cards can have a higher exchange rate margin (or more expensive mark-up), and a no-fee debit card may be a better option. Travel cards "are better suited to longer trips … [and] usually won't be worth getting if you're only taking a one-off short trip, as some come with fees for closing or inactivity". If you're withdrawing cash overseas, Choice says a travel debit card or travel money card is generally a better option than a credit card — which can involve a cash advance fee and high interest rates Professor Zhong says you need to set up these cards before you travel, so you'll need to be more organised (compared to using one you already have). While your normal credit or debit card may have a high credit limit, such as $5,000 a travel card will often have a limit of $500 or $1,000, Professor Zhong says. This means travel money cards aren't usually a good candidate for hotel security deposits, as a pending charge could leave you without access to your money. Choice also advises checking that a card supports the currency you'll need. Not every card will work with every currency. This article contains general information only. You should consider obtaining independent professional advice in relation to your particular circumstances.
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Martin Lewis reveals his top tricks for Brits travelling abroad this summer - including where NEVER to get your cash out
has warned Brits about the financial precautions to take before going abroad this summer. The money-saving expert, 53, was speaking on the summer special of his live money show on ITV this evening, which was filmed at Aerospace Bristol. During the episode, Martin revealed his top tricks for cutting the cost and hassle of summer getaways this year, including the 'things to do now to help when you go'. After receiving a question from the audience, the financial guru revealed the best practices to adopt when it comes to paying for items abroad. When getting out physical cash before going away, Martin advised to go on a UK travel cash comparison website to find out which of the bureaus will give you the best rate. However, he urged viewers to never get cash out at the airport - as this is where you'll get the worst deal. 'Never get it at the airport,' Martin emphasised. And as for getting cash out while actually on holiday, he said only to visit an overseas bureau de change if you know there's a good rate. Martin also addressed the age old debate of whether to pay in pounds or the local currency when paying via card machine while on holiday. After asking the audience for a show of hands, he confirmed that you should always select the local currency option as you 'get hideous rates abroad'. He said: 'If you pay, and you pay in pounds, it's the card machine or the ATM that's doing the conversion and their rates are pants!' Even though card machines will try to get you to pay in pounds, Martin said: 'The reason they're trying to force you and be so aggressive is because it makes them more money, it doesn't save you money.' As well as financial considerations, Martin emphasised the importance of checking your passport is in date before travelling. He also said 1.8 million EHIC cards are due to expire this year and those looking for a new one will now need a GHIC. These cards will give the holder access to health services abroad at the same price as a local. However, he said that these should be used in addition to travel insurance, and not as a replacement. GHIC cards can be obtained for free - though fraudulent websites will often try to flog 'fast-track' deals. Martin said: 'You can renew for free. You must never pay for your EHIC or GHIC card.' Often, finding the best deals for for holidays, especially as a family, will take a bit of effort. The MoneySavingExpert founder said cancelling (if free or cheap) and then rebooking may sometimes mean you can end up with a better-value deal. In addition, knowing your flight compensation rights before you go may help you win back hundreds of pounds if a payout is needed. Delays and cancellations that are the fault of the airline could see you getting money back into your pocket. Last week, Martin shared a little known tip that could protect tourists' health this summer - and in years to come. Speaking on his Martin Lewis Podcast, the financial whizz asked how many of us know if the sunscreen bottles we have in the back of our cupboards are still in date. POAs often appear as a tiny jar with a figure indicating the months the product will last Sun cream products applied to the skin are designed to protect us from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, both UVA and UVB - but they have a shelf life. With a bottle in hand, the broadcaster told his audience there's a very easy way of working out whether you should pack the sun protection you have in your case, or throw it in the bin. During the podcast, he said: 'Just a quick tip on sunscreen. When you get your sunscreen, turn the bottle around because on the back you'll see a POA number.' POA stands for 'period after opening' and is usually 12 or 24 months, he explained. It's also often found on makeup products too, and usually appears as 9M, 12M, 18M or 24M. Lewis said that a simple label could help prevent sunburn, or worse, a future skin cancer diagnosis. He said: '[When you open the bottle] Put a little note of the date, write that onto the sunscreen and you'll know if you try to use it in a year's time whether it's still valid or not.'
The Sun
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
The ATM rule you need to follow when abroad and best credit and debt cards for summer holidays
Adele Cooke, Senior Consumer Reporter Published: Invalid Date, CREDIT and debit cards can charge you a fee of up to 5 per cent to use your card abroad. And it can cost £5 extra to withdraw money from an ATM while on holiday. Andrew Hagger, personal finance expert at said: 'Taking the right plastic with you on your travels can end up saving you a decent sum over the course of a week or two overseas, so it's worth checking what your bank card charges you before you jet off.' Adele Cooke explains how to get your summer wallet ready - and the ATM rule you need to follow. Debit card It can be easy to use your debit card while on holiday but doing so could land you with a surprise bill. For example, Lloyds Bank charges customers who use their debit card abroad a 2.99 per cent foreign transaction fee. This would cost you £2.99 for every £100 you spend. But some cards do not charge fees when you use them abroad, so you can spend as you do at home. Several big banks offer cards without overseas fees, so it's worth shopping around to get the best deal. First Direct does not charge fees to pay with its debit card while abroad and there is no penalty to withdraw cash from an ATM. Santander customers with an Edge current account do not pay any fees when using the card to make purchases or withdraw cash while overseas. But the account has a £3 fee and you must pay at least £500 into your account each month. Avoid these common holiday booking mistakes for a stress-free vacation Meanwhile, Starling does not charge a fee to use its card or withdraw cash while on holiday. Keep an eye out for cards that offer Visa, Interbank or Mastercard exchange rates as these will give you the best conversion. Other cards charge a mark up on top of the exchange rate to cover some of their costs. You can compare credit cards using websites including or Compare the Market. How to avoid roaming charges Simrat Sharma, a mobiles expert at Uswitch, said switching to an eSIM - short for embedded SIM - can be cheaper than using international roaming. 'eSIMs make it easier to change networks," she said. "So for example, if you're abroad you can quickly connect to the local network to pay local rates - without having to add or swap a physical local SIM card for your device. "This means travel eSIMs are almost always cheaper than using international roaming, as users are effectively tapping into the same network plans as locals. If you're regularly switching numbers or travelling to different locations, you'll be able to keep them all safely in digital format rather than carrying around a number of small cards. 'The software can easily be accessed via your device's app store and uploaded to your phone in a few quick steps." Credit card Many credit cards also charge foreign transaction fees of around 3%, which would add £1.50 to the cost of a £50 meal out. But there are several credit cards that let you withdraw money from ATMs or spend in shops and restaurants fee-free. The Barclaycard Rewards Card does not charge you transaction fees when you are abroad. It uses Visa's exchange rate, so you will get the best value on conversions. Meanwhile, the NatWest Credit Card does not charge a transaction fee so you can spend abroad without paying a penalty. A credit card can also give you extra protection if something goes wrong while you are away. Rachel Springall, finance expert at said: 'A credit card will also protect spenders under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act on purchases between £100 and £30,000 if a service or goods are not provided or damaged.' Pre-paid card A pre-paid card can be a good option if you want to keep an eye on your holiday budget. The cards are not linked to your bank account so you need to top them up before your trip. This means that you cannot become overdrawn and can lock in an exchange rate before you travel. But some places may not accept the cards, warns Reena Sewraz, Which? retail editor. She said: 'A fee-free credit card is useful if you're planning to hire a car, as many operators don't accept prepaid travel cards.' Some prepaid cards may also have hidden fees. The Post Office Travel Money Card lets you load up to 22 currencies onto the card and spend cash abroad fee-free. But you will be charged 2 euros to withdraw cash at an ATM. You can load 15 currencies onto the Asda Travel Money Card and spend and withdraw cash without fees. Watch out for the inactivity fee, which is £2 a month. Avoid one button You could lose cash by making the wrong choice at foreign ATMs or tills. Cash machines abroad usually give you the option to pay in pounds or the local currency. But paying in pounds could cost you more. This is because the overseas bank will do the conversion to pounds and the rates are usually unfavourable. You will usually get a better rate by paying in the local currency. Cash is king You should carry some cash with you when travelling abroad. Andy Coley, 49, from London wished he had exchanged cash before his business trip to Istanbul, Turkey, in March. The leadership development trainer was hit with high fees to withdraw cash from an ATM. Andy packed his Post Office Travel Card, which he often uses when abroad. But he found most shops and restaurants in Istanbul would not accept the card. Andy was forced to withdraw £500 in cash from an ATM, which cost him £37 in fees. He said: 'I would definitely travel with cash in the future and do a bit more local research.' You can compare the rates on offer at different currency exchanges using Money Saving Expert's online tool. The cheapest place to buy currency may depend on which type you want, so check the rates before you head to a bureau du change. Do not exchange cash at the airport as you may get a bad exchange rate. Never withdraw currency using a credit card as you may be charged a high interest rate or fees. .
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Hack rocks Marks & Spencer bureau de change
Marks & Spencer bureau de change staff are being forced to use pen and paper to serve customers as a result of the cyber attack on the retailer. The travel money desks are also unable to accept card payments in some cases as the hack wreaks havoc at the High Street business. M&S has also had to suspend online fashion and homeware shopping and in some stores has been left with empty shelves after IT systems were attacked. M&S has been losing millions of pounds a day in sales as a result and has seen shares plunge, wiping £1.1billion off its value. The group has more than 450 bureaux de change across the country. The Mail has learnt that staff must use printed sheets with the day's rates on them and work out the cost of buying currencies using a calculator.
