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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
Joined: 06 Dec 2013 Karma :
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Posted: 12:58 - 18 Apr 2017 Post subject: Reliable Commission Free Spending in Europe |
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What do the good folks of BCF recommend? I've seen recommendations for the Nationwide FlexPlus account which looks good, but I've never had a credit card, and don't want to start now. Or am I just being silly on that point? The account is also unlikely to be used again for quite some time after my upcoming trip.
I currently have a Post Office Travel Money account, but have to switch it to the new style one, as the card has expired and the service was bought out by someone else. I still have a couple of grand on that account. It wasn't ideal - sometimes didn't work at tolls and petrol stations (my bank Visa debit card was more reliable, but paid commission to use it). I will mostly be avoiding toll routes, but fuel is obviously going to be a major expense on the trip.
So, I'd prefer a pre-'loaded' debit type card that will actually be accepted everywhere. What else can I look at? ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE! |
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ScaredyCat |
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ScaredyCat World Chat Champion
Joined: 19 May 2012 Karma :
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Posted: 13:20 - 18 Apr 2017 Post subject: |
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A Monzo prepaid card will give you good exchange rates which are charged based on the MasterCard rate at the time the transaction settles with no additional fees.
You can top up the card via your phone whenever you need to from your debit card. Also offers a measure of protection if the card details get lifted. You can freeze the card immediately and they couldn't empty your account. Worst case they could just take what you'd loaded up on it.
https://monzo.com/
I've almost stopped using my normal cards because I can see where I've spent the money immediately.
Sounding a bit like an advert, I'll stop now. I just find it useful. ____________________ Honda CBF125 ➝ NC700X
Honda CBF125 ↳ Speed Triple |
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The Artist |
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The Artist Super Spammer
Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Karma :
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Posted: 13:26 - 18 Apr 2017 Post subject: |
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ScaredyCat wrote: | A Monzo prepaid card will give you good exchange rates which are charged based on the MasterCard rate at the time the transaction settles with no additional fees.
You can top up the card via your phone whenever you need to from your debit card. Also offers a measure of protection if the card details get lifted. You can freeze the card immediately and they couldn't empty your account. Worst case they could just take what you'd loaded up on it.
https://monzo.com/
I've almost stopped using my normal cards because I can see where I've spent the money immediately.
Sounding a bit like an advert, I'll stop now. I just find it useful. |
Can you get money off the card back to a regular UK bank account easily? Can't see it on their website. |
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ScaredyCat |
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ScaredyCat World Chat Champion
Joined: 19 May 2012 Karma :
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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
Joined: 06 Dec 2013 Karma :
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Posted: 13:42 - 18 Apr 2017 Post subject: |
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ScaredyCat wrote: | A Monzo prepaid card |
Is the card reliably accepted at tolls and petrol stations Europewide? ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE! |
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ScaredyCat |
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ScaredyCat World Chat Champion
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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
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Posted: 15:18 - 18 Apr 2017 Post subject: |
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ScaredyCat wrote: | It's a mastercard so you shouldn't have issues.
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Just to note, the Post Office card I have is MasterCard, but still wasn't wholly reliable.
Thanks for the info though, another one to consider ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE! |
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Matt B |
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Matt B World Chat Champion
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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
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Posted: 17:56 - 18 Apr 2017 Post subject: |
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Matt B wrote: |
Actually, physically, properly, really tested at a French unmanned fuel pump or toll station? That's where they more often than not fall down. Fine when you walk into the fuel station or wherever and hand it to the attendant. Not a lot of use in France on a Sunday when everything is shut. |
Absolutely this.
Matt B wrote: | I would say yes you are being silly (bad as stinkwheel ). Just set the credit card up to be paid off in full from the current account every month. This can be done during the application process. No interest to pay and you are improving your credit rating. I fail to see how this cannot be a win situation. |
But I don't need to improve my credit rating. And I just want to pay as I spend. ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE! |
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Enduro Numpty |
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Enduro Numpty Could Be A Chat Bot
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ScaredyCat |
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ScaredyCat World Chat Champion
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Copycat73 |
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Copycat73 World Chat Champion
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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
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Posted: 20:49 - 18 Apr 2017 Post subject: |
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So would I be right in saying there is no account in existence that you pre-'load' that has a reliable DEBIT card, that will be accepted in toll machines and at automated petrol pumps as well as everywhere else, and gives commission free spending? ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE! |
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Enduro Numpty |
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ScaredyCat |
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ScaredyCat World Chat Champion
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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
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Posted: 22:22 - 18 Apr 2017 Post subject: |
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ScaredyCat wrote: | I haven't been to every location in Europe and tested it.
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Slacker ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE! |
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Ste |
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Ste Not Work Safe
Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :
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Posted: 22:29 - 18 Apr 2017 Post subject: |
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Matt B |
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Matt B World Chat Champion
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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
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Posted: 11:06 - 19 Apr 2017 Post subject: |
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I think I'll just stick with what I already have. Use the PO (Master)card for hotels, restaurants, and fuel and tolls where it will accept it (some did, and it was never rejected at an ATM), cash for back-up, and the debit card for emergencies. It was sometimes annoying when a card wasn't accepted, especially at tolls in the rain, but I never got completely stuck with that combination. There'll be plenty on both cards that I shouldn't be at risk of reaching any limits. I'll lose on commission if I do have to use the debit card, but it shouldn't work out to too much in the scheme of things.
Thanks for the replies though. ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE! |
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Ebbs73 |
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Ebbs73 Nova Slayer
Joined: 19 Jul 2015 Karma :
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Posted: 13:35 - 21 Apr 2017 Post subject: |
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I use my Norwich and Peterborough debit card , all free from charge , do the best rate on the day , never ever let me down in the 12 countries I've been in , petrol , lidi , Aldi , super u .
Fantastic , but ...
They have been bought out by Yorkshire building society and they are closing all the accounts !!! FFS .
I'm having to move my savings , current and business accounts .
I'm hoping the Yorkshire BS will have a similar account as I've the same question as you , best card available today ?
Thank you for the information gents . |
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 7 years, 6 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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