Fairfx question

[scarletlancer]

Hi all

I have purchased a fairfx card in advance of my trip in August and would like to get a second one in my wife's name so we have always both got access to funds (in case we are split up at any time). If I do so and anything happens to either card, can the remaining balance on that card be transferred to the other one?

 

[madmumof2]

You can't have two cards for the same account but yes, if you lost one you just ring up, or go online, and they'll transfer the money over straight away.


I'm not sure if they both have to be in the same name though. You can easily get a second card in the same name as the first and just give that one to your wife.

 

[MissStitch626]

I know there's been a few different threads on the Fairfx card but was wondering if anyone had encountered any problems at all while using the card in Disney? I would like to use the card because of the exchange rate, though think I would want to use it for ATM withdrawals rather than as a debit card. DH seems to have some reservations about the card, think he's worried mostly that either the card will not work at all, or that something will happen to the issuing company and we will lose our money.

Would like to hear everyone's thoughts/experiences

 

[madmumof2]

There is a small charge when using an ATM (none for using your card for purchases) so if you want to get money out that way it's cheaper to get big loads out each time. Although it's not a big charge so no big deal unless you're constantly taking $10 out.

As for the safety of the card, it's owned by a big named bank (which I have forgetten now, starts with an 'N', someone help me out? lol Sunday brain!) who were one of the few places who were giving people jobs rather than sacking people when the recession hit.

Nowhere is safe but I would personally say this bank is the safest of the lot.

It works just like a credit card, you just can't go overdrawn and don't get charged interest. Anywhere that accepts Mastercard will accept your fairfx card.

You should have no problems using your card on your holiday. I have used it here and all has been fine, and I'll be using it for the first time in Orlando this October.

 

[MissStitch626]

Thanks for the reply, hopefully will be able to put some of DH doubts to rest. I love the idea of this card, last time we took travellers cheques but so much hassle trying to change them and hated having to carry my passport around with me (though this year have been clever and put everything in DH name so he has to do all the signing, dealing with documents etc)

 

[madmumof2]

Found it lol. It's issued by Newcastle building society.

Just notice your dates are almost the same as mine. I go on the 9th, back on the 23rd.

 

[orangetiggs]

we used ours last sept both in and out of disney and mexico for drawing money out and just paying for things

we made sure we got a large amount out as we were charge $2 for ever cash withdrawal but it didnt put me off and we had no problems with the card at all

 

[SuperFuzz]

I didn't have any problems with the card at all, however my girlfriends stopped working (along with her park passes) because she had them in the same bag as her mobile. Because we use chip and pin at home I guess her regular cards are ok due to the chip being better magnetically shielded than the card strip. Wish the US would use chip and pin

Be aware however you have a daily transaction limit. (not amount in dollars but the amount of single transactions) I kept buying one bottle of water and one mickey bar and soon had my card blocked for the rest of the day (UK time i think)

So make sure you contact Fairfx or look at their FAQs regarding transaction limits

 

[meryll83]

Be aware however you have a daily transaction limit. (not amount in dollars but the amount of single transactions) I kept buying one bottle of water and one mickey bar and soon had my card blocked for the rest of the day (UK time i think)

So make sure you contact Fairfx or look at their FAQs regarding transaction limits

I can't find any info about this in the FAQ's, only restrictions on the amounts you can load. Do you know what the limitations are?

 

[SuperFuzz]

I'm affraid I really don't know, I did have an e-mail that I got from their customer support but it seems to have gone missing :s . But you could try to e-mail them, they are pretty speedy and helpful.

 

[MissStitch626]

Have just read on their website that for ATM transactions the limit is 3 per day and 10 over a four day period, can't find any other information about limits on the number of times you can use it as a debit card though.

I'll be signing up for mine tomorrow so I can start loading funds on

 

[scarletlancer]

I just thought I would let you know the response that I had from Fairfx about whether or not a second card would have to be in the same name to be able to transfer a balance in the event of having a card stolen or lost:

"Thanks for the E-mail unfortunately we do not offer joint account
facilities, each client can have to 5 cards in one name but each card is
to be treated separately from one another, i.e. separate balances,
different pins etc. If you want a second card in your name just log back
onto the website as a returning customer and order a card in the same
way you did the first time."

Does everybody else take this to mean that the two cards must be in the same name? If this is the case, and since they do not apparently use chip and pin, does that mean that I will still have to sign for everything?

 

[madmumof2]

If you want to transfer balances it has to be from one card to another in the same name.

A Fairfx card is chip and pin. Not sure where you got that info from lol.

 

[Young Pooh]

There was another thread on here (or Dibb) recently along the same lines. FairFX suggested you have your main card with your cash loaded on it and then get a second card (in the same name) and load the minimum amount on it (maybe $20). Keep this second card in the hotel safe. If your main card is lost/stolen/damaged, you can then get them to transfer the cash onto your second card - if it is in the same name they can do this immediately - if it is in your partners name, it will take a few days.

 

[madmumof2]

There was another thread on here (or Dibb) recently along the same lines. FairFX suggested you have your main card with your cash loaded on it and then get a second card (in the same name) and load the minimum amount on it (maybe $20). Keep this second card in the hotel safe. If your main card is lost/stolen/damaged, you can then get them to transfer the cash onto your second card - if it is in the same name they can do this immediately - if it is in your partners name, it will take a few days.

That's exactly what I've done.

Make sure you go through the opodo site (or any that participate) so you get the card free.

 

[scarletlancer]

If you want to transfer balances it has to be from one card to another in the same name.

A Fairfx card is chip and pin. Not sure where you got that info from lol.

I was under the impression that chip and pin was not used in America, is this incorrect?

 

[mollies_mum]

Thanks everyone for the great info about this card

Can anyone tell me if you load this card with Euros can you then change the Euros to Dollars at a later date?

I'm going to Disneyland Paris this October so would like to use this card there and then again October 20120 when we go to Florida but obviously it's a different currency!

Anyone have any advice? Is this possible without being penalised?

Thanks in advance