pre paid euro card

[tatfan]

As a few of you may know, I'm going to Oradour sur Glane in a few weeks time, which of course means I'll have to use that lovely money called the Euro.
Last time I went to France, Barclays took my left leg and both my testicals in payment for the joy of using my debit card abroad. This time, I plan on beating them, and getting my bits back!
So, I'm wondering, do any of you use the pre paid credit cards that are available, and how do you get on with them in garages and the like? I'm currently looking on moneysaving expert, but it's all frying my head a bit!
Anything that can save on exchange rates and commission would be good.!

[xp800]

I had an issue with the prepaid eurocard this year touring France. When you use a card in the unmanned petrol stations it takes off a large amount of money ( about 100 euro ), even if you only put 20 euro of fuel in. It can take a few days to get your 80 euro refunded.

I also went to lift 300 euro at a ATM in Verdun, the machine went through the motions but received no money. Tried again and this time got the money. The previous transaction for 300 euro showed as a pending transaction on my balance , so couldn't lift the money. It took nearly 2 weeks before I could get my money off the card ( I home by then ).

Will never use a prepaid card ever again.

[Marmalade]

I use a travelcash card

https://www.mytravelcash.com/

Top up a minimum of 30 euros at a rate set at the time so buy when the rate is good and that is the amount you have on the card.

No charge for the card, no usage fees unless you withdraw cash i believe.

I use barclays debit card all the time when I'm out in euro and never been raped for huge charges.
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[RidersRest]

Some work some don't it is difficlut to know which do, I have had less trouble from Bank/credit/debit cards than prepaid cards and we saw about 450 individuals stay over this year alone all using cash and bank cards.

I think the best idea is to find a UK bank/credit card which doesnt charge for euro transactions abroad.

If you take cash dont have anthing bigger than 50 euros notes because the french regard any higher notes with suspicion and you may find it difficult to spend them.
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RidersRest Bikers only B&B in the beautiful Central Massif - France
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[willis1337]

I use a fairfx prepaid euro card on my european trips. It's a mastercard so can be used at most places.

Never had any issue using mine, good to use if you're buying anything online in euros too.

It's easy to load up before your trip (or even during if you've set up your bank details etc). The exchange rate is better than the post office (so miles better than the banks) and no fees when spending on it. I think they charge you for cash withdrawals (£1.50 IIRC) but I just pay for mate's hotels / meals when away and they give me the cash in Euros, so avoiding the need to withdraw cash.

If you get one use this link and you'll get the usual £9.95 application fee waived (and I'll get £2.50 for referring you) https://www.fairfx.com/ref/aiy3x


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Current bike: KTM SD1290GT
Previous bike: BMW K1300S

[tatfan]

Sorry willis, but you're too late! I've gone for the fair fx card, sure to other peoples review. If you had posted a few days ago, I'd have used your code.

[cimbian]

[Hamayar]

Be aware the fairFX card is web based, their customer service is also web based. the only live phone number is for a lost or stolen card to get it cancelled then a new is one posted to your home about ten days later.

Anything else you need, pin reset etc anything, you do it via an email to fairfx enquiries then wait for a day (24 hours) on week days or until Monday if its a Friday or weekend. other than that its fine.


Not a good position to be in abroad without any cash so dont use it as your only source of cash!!

[dsb79]

I took a Thomas cook card with me only place it did not work was on the tolls.

[cimbian]

[willis1337]

No worries tatfan, and thanks cimbian much appreciated.
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Current bike: KTM SD1290GT
Previous bike: BMW K1300S

[Polarbear]

Nationwide didn't used to charge for using their debit cards when abroad, not sure if that is still the case though.

My daughter had a pre paid card when she went on holiday to Xanthe but found it very hit and miss. I had to wire her some Euros in the end as she was stuck with no money and couldn't get it off her pre paid card for some reason.

I personally wouldn't bother with one.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[barrkel]

My order of preference is my old Irish credit card (Euro denominated so no charges anywhere in euro zone, but PITA to transfer sterling to cheaply - I am a fan of the euro and you won't convince me otherwise - and awesome thing about my Bank of Ireland credit card is no interest for cash withdrawals on positive balance), then cash from pre-pay FX card, then sterling credit card, then only as last resort would I use a sterling debit card. I would not use a pre-pay FX card to do anything other than get cash from ATMs.

Credit card conversion commission is generally a percentage of the amount being converted, and is almost always a better rate than the typical alternative: if a shop or hotel asks if you want to be charged in pounds or euro, say pounds. The shop / hotel makes extra profit off you otherwise. (Assuming using a pounds-denominated credit card.)
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Bikes: S1000R, SH350; Exes: Vity 125, PS125, YBR125, ER6f, VFR800, Brutale 920, CB600F, SH300x4
Best road ever ridden: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2MhNxUEYtQ

[cimbian]

Update on this.

I used my card very easily last week in France on all-but-one of the tolls. The main machine doesn't like it but if you tell the operator to use the manual machine then it is fine.
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22PlusY
Current: Moto Guzzi 1100 Breva. Previous: Honda XL650V TransAlp
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