master card / Fair FX cards / exchange

[hanksy]

Do all outlets use Master cards?

Im condsidering using a FairFX card instead of cash and need to know if I can use it in most food outlets / shops.

You buy the card and load it with cash. You then use it like a mastercard and it takes it off the balance on the card!

Thought it was easier than carrying lots of cash with me and it can be cancelled if I lose it!

Also is there a beureu de change? If I take pound notes?

 

[Holstar]

They do indeed!

We always opt for the Thomson travel card (because we usually book through them, and they give good rates) which is a mastercard and accepted everywhere, we even use if for buying train tickets to Paris, entrance to the Eiffel Tower etc.

I know what you mean though, I hate carrying so much cash with me. We usually take about £800 - £600 on the card for food and Paris and then £200 spending money. It helps with budgeting!

x

 

[hanksy]

I remember along time ago (maybe when they first started) my parents took one (think it was thomsons cash passport) and found hardly anyone accepted it.

I want to put my food budget on one and take cash for shops.

 

[Holstar]

Both the Fair FX and the Thomson travel card get fairly good reviews - but the Thomson works just like a normal mastercard credit or debit card, so anywhere with the logo that accepts mastercard, accepts the travel card!

And, that's what I'm doing... I was going to do the meal vouchers, but we can do it so much cheaper ourselves, so I just put our budget onto the card, with a little extra to cover train tickets from Disney to Paris, and the rest (spending money, etc) I'm taking in cash.

Works out well for budgeting! No fee's either, other than the standard % to take cash out!

H.x

 

[hanksy]

Just seen its Thomas cook one we used, which looks like it has visa electron sign... maybe that was the reason.

I think im going to go for the Fair FX, since martin lewis says its the best. Exchange rate is bigger than thomsons too. Everything else seems the same.

Do you have to carry your passport around though? For using credit cards abroad? (Or have we moved on since then)

 

[Holstar]

We were going to get the Fair FX one but Thomson gave us better rates as we'd booked through them!

And, I've never been asked. The only time I took it with me was when we went to Paris, but that was more for proof of identity should you get asked. I never was though!

 

[hanksy]

Ive just got 1.14 with fair fx, thats our meals sorted!