Why Fair Fx vs Credit Card? - The DIS Discussion Forums

Magic Megadegs · 09-28-2012, 04:38 PM

Sincere apologies if this has already been covered lots on here but I am seeing a lot of you experienced folk talking about loading a Fair Fx card rather than using credit cards whilst away - why is this? Does it provide a better exchange rate etc?

UKDEB · 09-28-2012, 04:47 PM

All it does is fix the exchange rate at the point of purchase. It's impossible to know whether or not it will end up being better or worse. It gives you certainty, that's all. In that way, it doesn't differ from buying currency or travellers' cheques in advance. I worry that the company could go belly up. At least with hard cash, you just need to make sure it doesn't get stolen or lost!

wayneg · 09-28-2012, 04:52 PM

Main difference is FXcard you pre-load and fix your rate each time you top up, Credit card you have to accept the rate on the day you use it.
Today topping up FarirFx card you would get 1.58 if you used a fee free creid card today you would get $1.616.
Personally I prefer a credit card, use their(Post Office) money then pay in full when I get home, I would rather do that than load my money onto a card. Others prefer the opposite.

Magic Megadegs · 09-28-2012, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayneg

Main difference is FXcard you pre-load and fix your rate each time you top up, Credit card you have to accept the rate on the day you use it.
Today topping up FarirFx card you would get 1.58 if you used a fee free creid card today you would get $1.616.
Personally I prefer a credit card, use their(Post Office) money then pay in full when I get home, I would rather do that than load my money onto a card. Others prefer the opposite.

Thanks guys, I couldn't get my head around it - I am a credit card camp I think because of the insurance etc if anything dodgy happens. Thank you - it does seem a little like travellers cheques as you say. A colleague of mine just had one for his trip in the summer but he had a little notebook and pen so he could log what he spent in case it ran out of money I think - as I say I didn't quite get it. I can see now why some people like it then, it must be a good way to budget / save etc. I think I'll stick to cash / cc then, thank you x

UKDEB · 09-28-2012, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magic Megadegs

I can see now why some people like it then, it must be a good way to budget / save etc.

Exactly. That's the sole advantage. Like Wayne, though, I'd rather take my chances on the exchange rate and borrow the credit card company's money, interest free. We take some cash and put the rest on cards. i can't be doing with travellers' cheques or pre-loaded cards.

2Tiggies · 09-28-2012, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UKDEB

Exactly. That's the sole advantage. Like Wayne, though, I'd rather take my chances on the exchange rate and borrow the credit card company's money, interest free. We take some cash and put the rest on cards. i can't be doing with travellers' cheques or pre-loaded cards.

I did that this year and it worked great with the Post Office Credit card. I still use my FairFX and have had no problems with it. Everything is a risk in the grand scheme of things - you just have to make sure you take a calculated risk

I used the FairFX to preload for buying party tickets and having items shipped to my resort and when I got to WDW I bought gift cards with the funds on there (we didn't leave Disney property and I also had $ in cash so felt I was fine to do that). It worked out well for me as I didn't need to carry around ID with me to show for making purchases; only once each time I loaded a gift card. That also gave me the advantage of knowing the balance on the cards at any time without checking online

madmumof2 · 09-29-2012, 07:14 AM

I use the post office pre paid cards. A credit card isn't for everyone. Some don't like borrowing money and would rather save until they can afford to buy, some can't get a credit card for whatever reason.

Travel cards are good when you like to save your own money rather than borrowing someone elses, helps you budget as you know you can only spend what you have, more motivation to save towards your holiday and no big bill when you get back :D

Magic Megadegs · 09-30-2012, 02:13 AM

I like that plan 2Tiggies especially for the little people if it gives them a running balance in each receipt! Can I ore order Disney Gift Cards on the phone or just stock them up once there?

2Tiggies · 09-30-2012, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magic Megadegs

I like that plan 2Tiggies especially for the little people if it gives them a running balance in each receipt! Can I ore order Disney Gift Cards on the phone or just stock them up once there?

As far as I know you have to get them there but I could be wrong. I prefer to get them there as it's one less thing to leave behind here

My 10 year old used gift cards for her money again this trip and it worked very well. She kept tabs on her own balance and had to work her budget to last the whole trip and it worked really well

iHEARTflorida · 09-30-2012, 07:04 AM

CC for purchases over the counter, restaurants, gifts, hotels etc...

then use a pre-pay card to take cash out at ATM's

as CCs will charge you daily to take cash out on it.

crabbie1 · 02-01-2013, 09:59 AM

We are really lapse this time.only have £500 on one fairfx card. Dollor to £ not too good at the mo. will still take £ 1300 half cash half TC and another £600 on the other fairfx card . Can top up faifx whilst away. Did it last time goes on straight away.
Never had an issue with TC but I know some dnt like them

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Elise79 · 02-01-2013, 03:35 PM

Last time we took $300 in cash and came back with some (don't usually take that much but one of my work colleagues came back from NY with unspent $$ so I bought it a very good rate!)

We only use cash for tipping bell services, tolls and a few sundries.

The rest either goes on the PO CC or our room charge settled by our US debit card. We got a rate of $1,63 while we where away in December

I have no issues with budget - I know where we are going to eat roughly and that's our main expense. We don't shop and are not big snackers so we really don't overspend.

bazzanoid · 02-01-2013, 03:39 PM

Is the PO card one of those with flat (printed) numbers or bumpy (embossed), traditional credit card type?

If you catch my meaning!

2Tiggies · 02-01-2013, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bazzanoid

Is the PO card one of those with flat (printed) numbers or bumpy (embossed), traditional credit card type?

If you catch my meaning!

I think, on this thread, we are all referring to the Post Office Credit card, which is a normal credit card (Mastercard) in every sense of the word and yes, it does have bumpy numbers and lettering

bex7583 · 02-02-2013, 03:44 AM

so i can buy these gift cards at disney and pay with the pre paid cash card

when you say about carrying id do you have to show your id when you pay with credit card??

the gift cards will be good for the kids money aswell thankyou

09-28-2012, 04:38 PM	#1
Magic Megadegs Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 382	Why Fair Fx vs Credit Card? Sincere apologies if this has already been covered lots on here but I am seeing a lot of you experienced folk talking about loading a Fair Fx card rather than using credit cards whilst away - why is this? Does it provide a better exchange rate etc? __________________ Dec / Jan 1990/1991 Villa Xmas, August 1993 I Drive, November 2001 I Drive, August 2003 I Drive Honeymoon , Dec / Jan 2010/2011 Reunion Resort Xmas, August 2013 Caribe Royale & Old Key West Resort , February 2014 Holiday Inn Resort LBV

09-28-2012, 04:47 PM	#2
UKDEB Found the Tag Fairy's hangout All whacked up on Scooby Snacks Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Gloucester, UK Posts: 11,954	All it does is fix the exchange rate at the point of purchase. It's impossible to know whether or not it will end up being better or worse. It gives you certainty, that's all. In that way, it doesn't differ from buying currency or travellers' cheques in advance. I worry that the company could go belly up. At least with hard cash, you just need to make sure it doesn't get stolen or lost! __________________ October 1992 ~ Enclave Suites, I-Drive May 1996 ~ Omni Rosen, I-Drive October 1998 ~ Villa-Clear Creek August 2000 ~ Beach Club/Villa-Sunset Lakes July 2001 ~ Animal Kingdom Lodge/Hard Rock Hotel/Villa-Formosa Gdns Christmas 2001 ~ Villa-Formosa Gardens October 2002 ~ Hard Rock Hotel/Villa-Formosa Gdns May 2003 ~ Portofino Bay/Villa-Cumbrian Lakes January 2004 ~ Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes/Villa-Formosa Gardens July 2004 ~ Grand Floridian/Portofino Bay/Villa-Formosa Gardens December 2004 ~ Villa-Rolling Hills/Disney Wonder Cruise/BoardWalk Grand Villa/Contemporary April 2005 ~ Washington DC, Shenandoah, Blue Ridge Parkway, Charleston, Savannah, Royal Pacific Resort/Villa-Acadia Estates January 2006 ~ Reunion Resort/Royal Pacific Resort April 2006 ~ Celebration Hotel/NCL Jewel Cruise/Hotel Victor, Miami/Beach Cottage-Disney's Vero Beach October 2006 ~ Reunion Resort/BoardWalk Villa/Rosen Shingle Creek August 2007 ~ Saratoga Springs//Reunion Grande January 2008 ~ Saratoga Springs/Beach Club Villas/Reunion Resort November 2008 ~ BoardWalk Villas/Royal Pacific Resort/Saratoga Springs March 2011 ~ Celebrity Cruise/Veness Towers, a stone's throw from the Magic Kingdom November 2012 ~ Bay Lake Tower/Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota/Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, Jupiter/Saratoga Springs September 2013 ~ Kidani Village, Bay Lake Tower, Saratoga Springs

09-28-2012, 04:52 PM	#3
wayneg VMK AceCaptainWayne I can't get my mouth to say healthy things Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Dewsbury, UK Posts: 21,045	Main difference is FXcard you pre-load and fix your rate each time you top up, Credit card you have to accept the rate on the day you use it. Today topping up FarirFx card you would get 1.58 if you used a fee free creid card today you would get $1.616. Personally I prefer a credit card, use their(Post Office) money then pay in full when I get home, I would rather do that than load my money onto a card. Others prefer the opposite. __________________ 1993Travelodge Maingate East,1997Holiday Inn Nikki Bird,1999Sheraton 4 Points/Clearwater Hilton, 2000(Xmas) Disney’s ASMo 2001Travelodge Maingate East, 2002 NYC Crowne Plaza Times Sq./Orlando Sheraton World Resort 2003(Aug) La Quinta Lakeside 2003(Oct) Disney Wonder +Raddison Parkway2004(Oct) Disney Magic + Homewood Suites, 2004(Xmas) Hilton DTD 2005(Oct) Disney Magic + BW Lakeside, 2005 (Xmas) BW Lakeside, 2006(Aug) Courtyard By Marriott LBV + 1st RCCL cruise, 2006(Oct) Disneyland, Cailfornia Howard Johnson, 2006(Xmas)Comfort Inn LBV,2007(Easter)Fairfield Inn, Marriott Village 2007(Aug)Courtyard By Marriott LBV, 2007(Oct) Disneyland CA, HoJo/Vegas, Flamingo,2008(Easter) Windsor Hills, Disney Wonder, Fairfield Inn 2008(Aug)Country Inn, 2nd RCCL, AKL, 2008(Oct)& 2008(Xmas)Fairfield Inn, 2009(May)Country Inn 2009(Aug)OKW, Disney Magic, Regal Sun 2010(Easter) Hampton Inn LBV 2010(Aug) Royal Pacific & OKW 2011(Feb)H.I. Express LBV 2011(Aug)OKW, Disney Dream, HI DTD 2011(Oct) Fairfield Inn 2012(Aug) Fairfield Inn, OKW 2012(Nov) Fairfield Inn 2013(Apr) Fairfield Inn LBV

09-29-2012, 07:14 AM	#7
madmumof2 DIS Veteran Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Born in Leicester, live in Rutland Posts: 1,968	I use the post office pre paid cards. A credit card isn't for everyone. Some don't like borrowing money and would rather save until they can afford to buy, some can't get a credit card for whatever reason. Travel cards are good when you like to save your own money rather than borrowing someone elses, helps you budget as you know you can only spend what you have, more motivation to save towards your holiday and no big bill when you get back :D __________________ Mum-27 Dad - 28 Big boy-9 Princess-7 Baby boy - 2! My Oct 2012 Surprise Trip Report! My New Disney Blog! Oct 2012 - 2 weeks Southern Dunes+1 night at the Hard Rock Hotel! Oct 2009 - 2 weeks Pop Century Jan 2000 - 2 weeks Ramada Inn International Drive Oct/Nov 1995 - 5 weeks Lindfields Villa, Kissimmee

09-30-2012, 02:13 AM	#8
Magic Megadegs Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 382	I like that plan 2Tiggies especially for the little people if it gives them a running balance in each receipt! Can I ore order Disney Gift Cards on the phone or just stock them up once there? __________________ Dec / Jan 1990/1991 Villa Xmas, August 1993 I Drive, November 2001 I Drive, August 2003 I Drive Honeymoon , Dec / Jan 2010/2011 Reunion Resort Xmas, August 2013 Caribe Royale & Old Key West Resort , February 2014 Holiday Inn Resort LBV

Sponsored Links
The DIS Register to remove Join Date: 1997 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,000,000

09-30-2012, 07:04 AM	#10
iHEARTflorida DIS Veteran Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: England Posts: 1,064	CC for purchases over the counter, restaurants, gifts, hotels etc... then use a pre-pay card to take cash out at ATM's as CCs will charge you daily to take cash out on it. __________________ iflorida WDW Trips DL July 2010 DLRP Sept 2012 1993,1995,1997,1999,2001,2002,2005,2006,2008 5 Weeks, 4 States and 3874 Miles around California and the Southwest Roadtrip here

02-01-2013, 09:59 AM	#11
crabbie1 DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: kingswinford uk Posts: 3,181	We are really lapse this time.only have £500 on one fairfx card. Dollor to £ not too good at the mo. will still take £ 1300 half cash half TC and another £600 on the other fairfx card . Can top up faifx whilst away. Did it last time goes on straight away. Never had an issue with TC but I know some dnt like them Sent from my iPad using DISBoards __________________ [link=http://distickers.com/ticker/][img noborder]http://distickers.com/ticker/tickers/mcqy6efeovttz4hh.png[/img][/link]

02-01-2013, 03:35 PM	#12
Elise79 Moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: East Anglia, UK Posts: 3,242	Last time we took $300 in cash and came back with some (don't usually take that much but one of my work colleagues came back from NY with unspent $$ so I bought it a very good rate!) We only use cash for tipping bell services, tolls and a few sundries. The rest either goes on the PO CC or our room charge settled by our US debit card. We got a rate of $1,63 while we where away in December I have no issues with budget - I know where we are going to eat roughly and that's our main expense. We don't shop and are not big snackers so we really don't overspend. __________________ April 2013/Dec 2012 - BLT June 2012 - BLT & OKW Feb 2012 - OKW Sept 2011 - BWV & BLT May 2011 - BCV & BLT Nov 2010 - BLT & CR Tower Club May 2010 - BLT Sept 2009/March 2009/April 2008/Sept 2007/Sept 2006 - CSR Feb 2008 - DLRP Newport Bay (First DLRP Trip) April 1999 - WDW Offsite in Villa June 1998 - WDW Offsite July 1989 - WDW Offsite

02-01-2013, 03:39 PM	#13
bazzanoid where'sthespacebar? Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somewhere in the depths of south essex Posts: 1,335	Is the PO card one of those with flat (printed) numbers or bumpy (embossed), traditional credit card type? If you catch my meaning! __________________ Next trip to Orlando: October 2013

02-02-2013, 03:44 AM	#15
bex7583 DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: wakefield Posts: 566	so i can buy these gift cards at disney and pay with the pre paid cash card when you say about carrying id do you have to show your id when you pay with credit card?? the gift cards will be good for the kids money aswell thankyou __________________ carribean beach wyndham orlando/clearwater hilton disney paris- hotel sante fe 2008 planning 3rd trip UK SPENDING GAME NUMBER 13 £44 bagged coins banked £130 bagged coins ----- £174 total taken out of tin so far <a href="http://distickers.com/ticker/"><img src="http://distickers.com/ticker/tickers/yekt2jpwokcyjp9o.png" alt="DIStickers.com Ticker" border="0"/></a> http://distickers.com/ticker/tickers...pwyavikq2a.png

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread: