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19 cheapest ways to get travel money

Foreign currency & overseas spending tips

cheapest ways to get travel money
Helen Saxon | Edited by Johanna Noble
Updated 13 December 2019

The pound's bounced back a bit against the euro but with ongoing Brexit speculation there's no telling how long that'll last. Should you buy currency now or wait? Either way, it's crucial to bag the top rates. Spend the wrong way abroad and you could be wasting ££s every time you shop. It's not just having the right card – it's also about knowing the tricks to help you get the most bang for your buck.

19 travel money savings, including...

  1. Should I buy holiday money now?

    Martin recorded the video below in 2017, and while the info about Article 50 is no longer relevant, the rest still applies today.

    Video player requires JavaScript enabled. You can watch this video here: https://youtu.be/ko_izNaIR50

    In summary...

    Without a crystal ball, no one knows if the pound will be stronger or weaker in the future. Anyone who tells you otherwise is merely speculating. While the pound has risen in recent weeks, with ongoing uncertainty there's no way to know if this'll last.

    If you're concerned about currency volatility before you head away, you could choose to buy half now and half later. Do this and you'll be less affected by currency swings. Another option to protect yourself from fluctuations is to order cash online from a specialist travel bureau that lets you cancel or sell it back later down the line for free or a small fee. For more on this, see point 6 below.

    Whether you buy now or later, the key is to get the best possible rate at the time. For more on the options Martin talks about in the video, see specialist credit cards, prepaid cards and travel cash below.

  2. Warning: your holiday can cost £100 more if you spend the wrong way

    Ultimately, when abroad you want to pay for only what you buy, yet by doing it the wrong way many also pay for paying, too. Here's how much spending €1,000 actually cost, in pounds, when we made comparisons on 30 July 2019 using our Travel Money Comparison tool (we assumed five €100 cash withdrawals, and 20 transactions on the cards). 

    • On a specialist credit card repaid in full: £912 (see point 3)
    • Cash, via UK's cheapest bureau (pick up in London): £923 (see point 5)
    • Cash from M&S (non-cardholder): £933
    • Top prepaid card: £923
    • Using a debit card from hell: £972 (see point 8) 
    • Change at airport (Gatwick South Terminal, ICE Travel Money, not pre-ordered): £1,030

    As you can see, the differences can be massive, yet the winners are simple. Apply for a specialist overseas credit card, then use it every time you go.

  3. The top-pick credit cards abroad

    Specialist travel credit cards don't add sterling exchange fees, so they give near-perfect rates on spending abroad. Do note you'll be charged interest on cash withdrawals even if you pay off in full – so if you'll need to withdraw cash regularly, consider a specialist debit card instead (or in addition). However if a credit card works for you, here are our top picks.

    • Long-term best buy: The Halifax Clarity* has a long track record as a cheap overseas card, though ATM withdrawals incur interest even if you pay off the card in full – so it's best to prioritise spending where possible. Repay IN FULL to minimise the 19.9% rep APR. Plus with this card you can use our Travel Credit Card Eligibility Calculator to find out how likely you are to be accepted before applying.
    • Another top pick: The Santander Zero card also offers no fees on overseas spending. Again, ATM withdrawals incur interest even if you pay off the card in full – so it's better to spend than withdraw. Repay IN FULL to minimise the 18.9% rep APR.
    • Top easier-to-get: The 118 118 Money* card has no fees on spending or cash withdrawals abroad, plus you won't be charged the 34% rep APR interest on either as long as you pay it off IN FULL every month. It also accepts county court judgments older than 12 months and some defaults, so it's a good option for those with a poorer credit history. 

    Full info and more options in our Top Travel Credit Cards guide.

    Important. Ensure you always repay IN FULL, preferably by direct debit, or the interest cost dwarfs any gain you get from the better rate.

    You also get Section 75 protection

    On top of giving you the top rates when spending abroad, specialist overseas credit cards also give you Section 75 protection.

    Pay for something costing more than £100 and less than £30,000 on a credit card and the card firm's jointly liable with the retailer if things go wrong. This is useful abroad, as taking things back is tough. It's also good protection when buying from overseas websites. For more, read our Section 75 guide.

    Credit cards are good if...

    • You want the best spending rates
    • You want the Section 75 protection
    • You've a decent credit score

    Credit cards are bad if...

    • Your credit score's poor
    • You won't repay in full every month

  4. The CHEAPEST debit cards abroad

    It's possible to get a debit card that doesn't charge any fees on non-sterling transactions. You'll need to open a bank account, though you don't have to switch (and it may not be worth switching anyway as you'd be missing out on other bank account perks – see Best Bank Accounts).

    There is of course nothing stopping you from having a second (or third) bank account, so you can open one separately for travel and use it alongside your existing account.

    App-based Starling Bank's* current account is our top pick. It charges no overseas spending OR cash withdrawal fees when you use its debit card worldwide.

    Check our main Travel Cards guide for more options.

    Specialist debit cards are good if...

    • You're happy to open a bank account to get one
    • You want to make cash withdrawals as there's no charge

    Specialist debit cards are bad if...

    • You switched from a better account to get one
    • You want Section 75 protection as there's none 

  5. Need cash? Compare top currency rates

    Our TravelMoneyMax.com travel money comparison tool compares rates at about 30 online bureaux and orders them by how much currency you'll actually get after all fees and charges.

    Though beware, pay a UK bureau by credit (not debit) card and it counts as a cash withdrawal, so there's a fee and interest even if you fully repay – best to always use a debit card or cash to buy.

    Getting cash is good if...

    • You want to lock in a rate
    • You want to stick to a budget
    • You have a secure place to keep it

    Getting cash is bad if...

    • You want the absolute best rates
    • You need to pay by credit card
    • You want Section 75 protection
    • It's stolen

  6. Trick to protect against currency swings

    While they may not offer the very best rates on the market, a few bureaux's terms and conditions can be manipulated to give you protection against currency swings, as you order at today's rate then...

    • If the rate gets worse, you're up as you got today's rate.
    • If the rate gets better, you cancel or sell it back and buy at the new rate.

    This trick works in two ways. Firstly, depending on the bureau, you can order for collection up to eight days in advance, and simply cancel your order if the pound picks up. Alternatively, the bureau below allows you to collect your money and return it for a refund (minus a small fee) up to 31 days after collecting it.

    As an example, we've focused on one of the big bureaux below, though you'd likely want a big brand anyway as bureaux hold your cash with little protection...

    • Moneycorp*: Here you can order for collection up to ten days in advance. The rate you get is the rate on the day you order – you don't pay until you collect and there are no fees for cancelling. Do note there's a £4.99 click-and-collect fee for orders under £400.

      Moneycorp also offers a 'buy back guarantee', letting you sell back your cash at the rate you paid up to 31 days after purchasing. This is free for orders over £500, or £3.99 for less than that. To get it, make sure you mention the guarantee in store when buying, and keep your receipt – see full T&Cs.

    Note: Since we first told MoneySavers about this trick just before the original Brexit vote in June 2016, bureaux have shortened the period in which you can cancel before collecting your cash, from up to 60 days. So be aware there is always the chance they could also alter the T&Cs to their 'buy back guarantees'.

  7. If you want to lock in a rate or stick to a set budget, try a specialist overseas prepaid card

    Here, you load with cash before you travel, then use it like a debit card. If you lose it, your cash is protected. You get the rate on the day you load/buy, not when you spend, so currency fluctuations may mean you get a worse deal (or better one).

    However, there are a few places that don't accept them – car hire firms and pay-at-pump petrol stations are the major ones, but there are a few others to watch out for.

    Our current top pick Revolut gives perfect interbank rates on euros and dollars on weekdays, plus newbies applying via our link get a free card.

    For more info and other top picks, see Cheap Prepaid Travel Cards.

    Prepaid cards are good if...

    • You want to lock in a rate
    • You want to stick to a budget
    • You lose it/it's stolen

    Prepaid cards are bad if...

    • You want the absolute best rates
    • You need to hire a car
    • You want Section 75 protection, as there's none

  8. Debit cards can be the worst way to spend abroad

    Eight debit cards (everyday bank cards) are our cards FROM HELL. Not only do they add a load and an ATM fee, they also charge up to £1.50 EVERY time you spend on them. 

    So, say you spend £5 on the card. After loading and spending fees, it can cost £6.65, which soon adds up over a holiday. 

    DO YOU HAVE A DEBIT CARD FROM HELL?
    Bank of Scotland | Halifax | Lloyds | Santander | TSB & Clydesdale/Yorkshire (hell for small spends)

    ANY other card, including credit cards (if repaid IN FULL), is cheaper to spend on than these. See full Debit Cards From Hell info or check your card's fees abroad.

  9. If they ask 'Do you want to pay in pounds or euros?' – say EUROS

    When paying on a card abroad (or withdrawing from an ATM), you're often asked if you want the transaction to be in pounds or the local currency.

    As a general rule, never pay in pounds – that means the overseas store/bank is doing the conversion, and rates are awful. For a full explanation of how this 'dynamic' currency conversion works, see Martin's 'Using plastic overseas? Always pay in euros?' blog.

  10. Find out what your existing cards are charging

    A couple of years ago, banks and credit card providers didn't have to show a statement breakdown of what they were charging you when you used your card abroad. This all changed a few years ago, causing some confusion, with some people thinking they were only now starting to pay, though it's actually always been the case on all but a few cards.

    So find out how much the cards you already have charge for use abroad – as you may not have the time to switch before your holiday – and make sure you use the cheapest (the best cards are listed in point 2). To help, we've built a How good is your current plastic? checker.

  11. Don't change your cash at the airport (or at least order ahead if you're last-minute)

    It's the easy option, but it's such a waste. Airport and ferry port rates are usually dismal, as they know they're the last port of call and you're a captive customer.

    Far better that you use TravelMoneyMax before you go or, if you've left it too late, at least order in advance online to pick up at the airport to get better rates.

  12. Is it better to change my cash once I get to my destination?

    In general you don't get a better rate changing your pounds to euros, dollars, lira or dong once you're in that country than you do here. Yet that doesn't mean there aren't a few local bureaux overseas that may give tip-top rates.

    The problem is there's no way of knowing until you're there, and as rates vary every day, once you're there, comparing to what was available back home is tough.

    Therefore we suggest for safety you sort it before you go (if you can – some currencies, like the Lao kip, aren't available outside the country). The big advantage of that is you can use the TravelMoneyMax travel cash comparison to find the best rate from around 30 bureaux.

    And getting a top rate here should usually beat relying on an unknown rate from a one-off local bureau once you're there.

  13. Don't buy travel cash or load a prepaid card with a credit card

    If you're buying currency at a bureau de change, or online through TravelMoneyMax, there's a hidden charge you could fall foul of if using a credit card.

    Buying currency is counted as a cash withdrawal, so you could face a myriad fees, including cash withdrawal fees, interest, or even a fee for using a credit card charged by the money changer.

    Some card providers, including Santander, Tesco Bank and Virgin Money, also treat loading a prepaid card using a credit card as a cash withdrawal.

    So if you're buying currency or loading a prepaid card, ALWAYS use a debit card, which isn't allowed to charge this fee, or withdraw cash and pay with that instead.

  14. Can I go cashless and just use an ATM at the airport?

    It goes without saying that for safety, many like to have a wad of euros, dollars or lire in their overseas wallet before they jet off – in which case our TravelMoneyMax tool will do the job.

    However, it may be cheaper to travel cashless and simply withdraw money from an ATM at your destination airport with a top travel credit card. Do this and you'll benefit from near-perfect exchange rates (which'll beat the rates offered on exchanging cash in advance). 

    However, bear in mind that it may be difficult to avoid ATM fees in certain countries. From our experiences at MSE Towers, we've seen ATM fees in Vietnam, Thailand, India, the US and elsewhere – though going cashless may still work out cheaper than taking cash even after factoring in the odd ATM fee.

    Remember that if using a credit card overseas, almost all card providers will charge interest from the moment you make a cash withdrawal. To minimise this, pay off the balance IN FULL while abroad. Also see the point below in regards to the potential credit score impact of withdrawing cash on a credit card.

    It's also worth being aware that not all airports will have an ATM at arrivals. Others will have them but may charge fees or worse, not be in working order. If you do plan on travelling cashless, it may be worth researching the airport online before you go.

  15. Withdrawing cash on a credit card could hurt your credit score

    Withdrawing cash on some of the top specialist overseas credit cards is a MoneySaving thing to do. But, it can have unintended consequences.

    If you withdraw cash on a credit card, it's recorded on your credit report. This isn't necessarily bad, in itself, but if you applied for a loan or other credit card soon after, the new lender might see it as a sign that you've no cash in your current account and you're so desperate for cash, you're willing to pay high interest to get it.

    In isolation, the negative effect of withdrawing cash is minor and shouldn't be the root cause of a rejection. But if it's combined with other negatives on your credit report, it doesn't look good.

    To be safe, if you've an important credit application, like a mortgage, to make – it's probably worth avoiding withdrawing cash on your credit card for the few months before the application.

    You can read our short guide for more information about withdrawing cash on a credit card and its effect on your credit report.

  16. What's in your overseas wallet?

    Are you part of the 'overseas wallet or purse' club? Martin's pioneered this, and it's a clever way to make sure you're prepared on holiday. His rationale is that there are some things you only need when abroad:

    • Specialist overseas plastic. These tend to be pretty poor for UK use, so leave it in your overseas wallet until you go away.

    • Free EHIC for emergency medical issues in Europe. See our guide on how to get or renew your free EHIC card.

    • Driving licence & international driving permit. Check out when and why you need to take these, plus see our full Driving Licence Renewal guide.

    • ESTA number for US travel. Check out our ESTA application guide.

    • Leftover currency. Left over from previous trips, good if you can't get to a cash machine right away.

    Check out what else is in Martin's overseas travel wallet.

  17. It's not just about the travel money

    You need to be savvy with more than just travel cash. Fail to be clever about your money elsewhere and you could wipe out all the gains you've made from paying the right way.

    So, whether you're chilling in Chile or roaming in Rome, there are loads of hidden tricks to save cash and ensure you're Havana great holiday.

    We've a guide to help you find the cheapest flights, get free maps on your phone, find the best plane seats and more. Read the 60+ Overseas Travel Tips to make yours a happy holiday.

  18. Hiring a car abroad? You'll probably need a credit card

    Many car hire firms won't accept a debit or prepaid card when you come to pick up your car, and will instead need a credit card. As you'll usually be paying (or leaving the deposit) in the foreign currency, and this can be a substantial amount of money, a specialist overseas card is particularly good for this.

  19. Plus don't forget travel insurance

    Travel insurance is as important to your trip as getting currency, yet many go abroad without it.

    A decent travel insurance policy will pay medical bills for you if you have an accident or fall ill – most countries charge for medical care, and some charge a lot. It will also cover you for cancellation, lost or stolen baggage, and for legal expenses should you get into trouble overseas.

    It's a travel essential – and with prices starting from £9 for an annual policy for an individual in Europe –don't leave home without it. Check out the top policies in the Cheap Travel Insurance guide.

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19 cheapest ways to get travel money

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