By Shon Alam, Bidwedge
As more travel becomes possible again you may want to plan some trips abroad, for business or pleasure. Clearly there are a number of considerations, but it is possible, while ensuring that you stay safe, to visit some destinations.
As you prepare to travel it is a good idea to think about how you will take your money when you are going abroad.
Let’s review 7 options that are available to you:
Cash
It’s a good idea to take some local currency with you when you go abroad, so you can pay for things like taxis, public transport, food and drinks and tips. When exchanging your money, be sure to shop around and compare not only the exchange rate but any charges that may be applied.
Taking all – or a lot – of your holiday money in currency carries various risks, in particular the loss or theft of your cash. Travel insurance usually only covers you up to a certain amount, so do check your policy before you go to help you make an informed decision about how much cash to take.
Also, don’t keep all your cash in one place while you’re flying or out and about at your destination. Split it between different bags, wallets and pockets so if your bag does get lost or stolen, at least it’s only part of your money that’s gone.
Travellers cheques
These little beauties have been in use since the late 80s. Each cheque has a unique number. If it is either lost or stolen, the issuer can cancel it and replace it. They have clear benefits but they’re becoming outmoded and many places no longer accept them.
Debit card
To save the hassle of arranging your currency before you jet off, you can use your debit card. However, most debit cards will charge you a fee for use abroad.
Unexpected foreign transactions may lead them to suspect fraud. Tell your bank before you go so they don’t cancel your card!
A debit card has the advantage that you cannot spend more than you have. The disadvantage is that if your card is stolen or hacked your bank account is at risk. Be cautious when using your card.
Bank apps
If you generally use Apple Pay or Google Pay on your phone you can use these abroad, much as you can a contactless debit card and the same charges will be applied. It is, arguably, more secure than paying with a debit card as there are layers of security to get into your phone and then another layer to access the app.
Credit cards
Similarly, a credit card provides a convenient way to buy things abroad. Unlike a debit card, if you have a good credit limit, you can splash out a lot more.
Ask about charges before you travel. It’s possible that the provider or bank may apply charges every time you use your card, meaning your next credit card bill may have a nasty sting in the tail!
An advantage is that for purchases between £100 and £30,000 made on your credit card, you are protected by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, meaning you can claim for breach of contract and misrepresentation.
When paying with either a credit or debit card, be aware of which currency you pay in. If you choose to pay in Sterling, rather than the local currency, dynamic currency conversion charges (DCC) – are added, meaning you could pay up to 10% more for what you are purchasing! Paying in local currency, will almost certainly cost you less in currency conversion but the exchange rate will be applied on the day the exchange is made via the bank, not necessarily the day of purchase. (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consumer-affairs/paying-card-overseas-offered-currency-choice-should-always-do/).
Pre-paid cards
Pre-paid cards are becoming an increasingly popular option, largely due to how easy they are to use! A pre-paid travel card allows you to load cash onto it before you go abroad so you have you spending money ready when you arrive. They are accepted by most retailers, with the exception of petrol stations, plus there are no credit checks when you apply. Travel pre-paid cards are intended to cost less to use in other countries but check the fees from the card issuer and whether there are charges for using local ATMs.
When doing your research, consider that there are three different types of cards:
Single currency, such and Euros or dollars – if you are going to a single destination;
Multi-currency so you can load different currencies if you are visiting multiple destinations in one trip; and Sterling cards, where you can load it with Sterling and spend in many different currencies, with each transaction in a foreign currency likely to attract conversion fees.
Disruptor banks
There are now several banks known as disruptor banks. These are digital banks that aim to challenge the ‘big four’ (Barclays, Lloyds, HSBC and NatWest).
Many of these offer some great benefits when travelling abroad.
For example, Revolut is especially aimed at people who travel a lot. In the same way as a pre-paid card, you can transfer money to it before you travel and use it without any hidden fees. Starling Bank allows you to make cash withdrawals abroad without adding fees, offers competitive exchange rates and doesn’t charge for things such as topping up your card. Monzo offers a way to pay in any currency with no fees and, again, no additional charges – unless you go over your limit, in which case the charges can be hefty.
Also, as with most card purchases where you are using Sterling to pay for something in another currency, the actual conversion happens a couple of days later and not on the date of purchase.
These guys are definitely worth taking a look at, particularly if you do a lot of travel. However, do your research carefully and consider whether you want to replace your traditional bank account or, perhaps, have one of these as an extra account.
I recommend not relying on just one of these options as having a backup is always a good idea.
On your return, don’t forget to exchange any leftover currency using either buyback or a platform like Bidwedge, which offers a competitive sell-back rate, even for small amounts.
If you’re travelling on business have a successful trip and if holidaying, have fun!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shon Alam is founder of Bidwedge. Bidwedge makes it easy to change your left-over cash currency back into Sterling – at great rates for even the smallest amounts. Just enter the amount, see the rate you’ll be paid, post the cash and watch the money appear in your bank account. It’s easy to do.
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