FairFX Info update (post 17)

[igk]

I have a Citibank USD account so I don't need a Firfx card, but I probably would have one if I didn't have the Citi account.
The only precaution I would advise you to take with the Fairfx card is to regularly check your balance on it once you have loaded it with money. Last year I think someone on here had their card fraudulently used and lost quite a bit of cash. They may have been compensated but it was a hassle all the same.
I'm not saying Fairfx is any more likely to get used fraudulently (I check my Citibank account regularly), but it's possible that a card like this might not be used for several weeks at a time so it might not get picked up for a while if anything had been taken.
Otherwise I'd say go for it - I think it's an excellent idea

 

[scottishgirl87]

Just got my card today and as stated, protected by Newcastle Building Society printed on the T&C's with the card.

No worries then.

I think the thing was/is there was talk a few months ago about Newcastle Building Society going under....in that case I think your money is up the creek Again, I could be wrong, I'm just going by what I've read.

Like I said, boyfriend has recently got a FairFX card so I don't want to scare anyone or anything

 

[MissStitch626]

Just wanted to chime in to say that we used a Fairfx card on our last visit in October last year and I can only hope they're still going for our next trip next year as I absolutely loved my card. It was so much easier than carrying a lot of cash/travellers cheques along with me. I didn't use mine for shopping, I just went to the ATM every few days and withdrew money, just kept a tally on a piece of paper to show how much I had withdrawn which helped me keep track of the money

 

[2Tiggies]

Just wanted to chime in to say that we used a Fairfx card on our last visit in October last year and I can only hope they're still going for our next trip next year as I absolutely loved my card. It was so much easier than carrying a lot of cash/travellers cheques along with me. I didn't use mine for shopping, I just went to the ATM every few days and withdrew money, just kept a tally on a piece of paper to show how much I had withdrawn which helped me keep track of the money

Oh, does it not show a balance at the ATM? I will need to remember that. Does anyone know if you can add a FairFX card to your card protection insurance?

 

[The Eighth Dwarf]

We used a fairfx card for the first time last year, couldn't fault them. Got a far better exchange rate than anywhere else and it was nice not having to carry loads of cash around with me.
Have to say a big thank you to disney as well, we stayed at the akl and they lets us use their pc to check our balance. Meant we didnt have to go looking for an internet cafe or anything like thst.
So all in all a big thumbs up for fairfx from us.

 

[2Tiggies]

You can use it for online payments in USD with no extra charges too, right?

 

[wickesy]

You can use it for online payments in USD with no extra charges too, right?

Yes you can, we just used ours to pay off our Disney cruise balance.

 

[misscrossbee]

We used FairFX cards on our last trip a couple of years ago (back in the good old days when it was $2 to the pound...sigh) and thought they were great.

Really convenient, good service from the company and no problems whatsoever.

 

[2Tiggies]

Really convenient, good service from the company and no problems whatsoever.

I have to say, they gave a great first impression. As noted in my update post, I sent them 2 emails and they responded to each within 10 minutes. A real, personal response - not the general automated types you get these days often referring you to the website you were on and couldn't find the answer in the first place.


THanks Wickesy - that is sort of what I am wanting it for. I will mainly use travellers cheques for spending but want to do some online transactions and keep open the option of booking next year's trip through Disney US if it is a better deal than from the UK.

 

[MrsTigger]

So is online the only way to check your balance then?

 

[wickesy]

So is online the only way to check your balance then?

You can also register to be able to check by text message from your phone but those are the only two ways to check your balance. We find that calculator, pen and paper are just as easy for us.

 

[MrsTigger]

Ok thanks

 

[mikki.young]

Has anyone any experience of using these cards in Europe with Euros? W will be doing a river cruise and this might be an easier way to take some cash. Is it easy to use cards in Europe?

 

[2Tiggies]

Has anyone any experience of using these cards in Europe with Euros? W will be doing a river cruise and this might be an easier way to take some cash. Is it easy to use cards in Europe?

I can't give you any feedback on Europe - although as you have obviously noted, you can get Euro FairFX cards too. Whereabouts are you going to be travelling in Europe? Often with various methods of foreign currency it depends heavily on WHERE you are and how they are received there. HOpefully some details will get you the response you are looking for.