Sainsbury’s bank currency card

[AugustaHibs]

Currently on holiday and have a Sainsbury’s bank currency card which I loaded 1k euro on to it. I have just taken out 100 euros but I go onto the balance and it has taken out 119.99.

Does anyone know the reason why?

[AugustaHibs]

It also says on the atm receipt 0% commission? Just worried in case it charges me 20 ever time I use it

[LancashireHibby]

There may not be any commission charge but there’s likely to be a conversion fee from Euros to sterling and/or a charge for using a foreign cash machine. Worth checking your T&C.

[HH81]

I use them in the us a bit but always try and pay for stuff like a debit card rather than cash withdrawals. Always charges from ATM's.

[Chic Murray]

I use a Starling Bank MasterCard.

They are easy to apply for, and free. You simply transfer money into it from your online banking app, and can top up for free at any time.

The big advantage is that you can make cash withdrawals free, there is no commission and you get the bank mid rate, which is usually 5cents higher than the tourist rate.

You can use it like a debit card in the shops or anywhere else, and it is contactless if you want. No extra charges on purchases.

There are other similar cards, such as Resolut, and I'd recommend anybody travelling abroad to check them out at Money Saving Expert.

Anybody using a card abroad needs to be aware of a truck that banks and merchants use. Do not allow them to convert your purchase into pounds, as they will screw you with the exchange rate.

Always pay in the local currency and let your own provider do the conversion. If you spend £1000 in the course of your trip, you are looking at around £50 saved.

This is an account of my experiences and should not be taken as financial advice as I am not able or registered to give that.

[Hibbyradge]

Halifax Clarity card has no fees, no loading, and gives you the commercial exchange rate not the tourist rate.

You don't even pay for cash withdrawals, although you do pay a small interest charge on them for each day they're not paid off.

However, I preload and avoid even that.

https://www.halifax.co.uk/creditcards/clarity-card/

[calumhibee1]

Revolut cards are very good.

[Hibs Class]

Revolut cards are very good.

Their rates are good but I got whacked with excessive fees for ATM withdrawals in the US last year which more than wiped out the benefit of the better rates.

[LancashireHibby]

Halifax Clarity card has no fees, no loading, and gives you the commercial exchange rate not the tourist rate.

You don't even pay for cash withdrawals, although you do pay a small interest charge on them for each day they're not paid off.

However, I preload and avoid even that.

https://www.halifax.co.uk/creditcards/clarity-card/

I used one of those in Canada recently and wouldn’t do it any other way now. Didn’t even need to preload it either, just went on Wi-fi and went on the app and transferred the money across whenever we used an ATM.

[Hibrandenburg]

How about not leaving the EU and adopting the Euro? The Euro is the best thing since sliced baguette.

[Hibbyradge]

I used one of those in Canada recently and wouldn’t do it any other way now. Didn’t even need to preload it either, just went on Wi-fi and went on the app and transferred the money across whenever we used an ATM.

:agree:

I used to do exactly that.

Preloading just stops me paying any interest if I forget.

[H18 SFR]

Starling bank card all the way.