Austinpaterson
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Future Camino
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Best ask your home bank what charges they make for overseas usage but it's normally better to pay in the local currency than your home one ie € than AUS$.Hi
Just wondering what is best based on experience … a travel card, normal credit card or normal debit card?
Many thanks
Austin
>>The only problem that I’ve found withdrawing money from an ATM is if the bank is a small regional bank.Although I always carry a credit card with me, I tend to use my debit card for ATM withdrawals and most purchases. But, I now have a separate debit card that I use exclusively for travel. It may be unnecessary, but I prefer not to expose my entire debit account when traveling. Therefore, I’ve set up a second debit account with my bank and simply deposit my trip money into it. As @jeanineonthecamino said above, I withdraw cash generally enough to get me from city to city. The only problem that I’ve found withdrawing money from an ATM is if the bank is a small regional bank. It may not accept your card. However, ATM withdraws work great at the larger banks like Santander. In the past, I found carrying about €200 cash was sufficient. With higher prices now, I’d probably bump that up to €300.
Yes, always a good thing to do. Last thing you need is your cards cancelled because of 'suspicious activity'.It seems certainly assumed in all the good posts above but I didn't see anyone say explicitly to "inform your bank before you go",
I agree, that for those from the US that a Schwab account is the way to go, but unfortunately, @Austinpaterson is from Australia, so can't use a Schwab account.Charles Schwab debit card works well throughout Europe and there is no ATM fee to withdraw money. If by chance there is, CS will credit you the amount charged back to your account. Upon arrival at the airport in Spain or other EU countries I go to an ATM and get euros so I have cash available.
I missed that! Thank you for letting me know, and I hope there is something comparable in Australia.I agree, that for those from the US that a Schwab account is the way to go, but unfortunately, @Austinpaterson is from Australia, so can't use a Schwab account.
Not really as far as I know, however a debit card from one of the major banks will work overseas with no problem. I once made the mistake of using a banks travel money card. A waste of time and money.I missed that! Thank you for letting me know, and I hope there is something comparable in Australia.
Cash is still king on the Camino (even during COVID last summer anyway) - therefore definitely bring your debit card to withdraw cash.
In general in Spain, any Visa or MasterCard (debit or credit) is taken "everywhere". If you have tap-to-pay, even better... (easier for you). Some albergues might take cash only, so don't forget to get some cash as well (check your banks fees for taking out Euros in Spain).
ING''s Orange Everyday Account rebates ATM fees both here in AUS and when travelling O/S, but only 5 per month and you have to deposit x amount of dollars to get this. I used an ANZ travel card once, only got it for the free travel insurance. Was declined once at the end of our trip when there was plenty of money in it. What saved us was that we never travel with just 1 card, at least 2 and from different banks. On the occassion our card declined I called ANZ to be told their whole banking system (ATM, Eftpos etc) was down. Thank heavens our other card was a Credit Union card, the fees didn't matter as it got us out of a pickle.I agree, that for those from the US that a Schwab account is the way to go, but unfortunately, @Austinpaterson is from Australia, so can't use a Schwab account.
Credit card. I’ve taken to paying with a credit card via a phone tap when possible. From what I understand, the credit card number is not transferred, making it safer.Hi
Just wondering what is best based on experience … a travel card, normal credit card or normal debit card?
Many thanks
Austin
That's true. A unique number is generated for each payment. I usually find it easier to pull out my phone than a credit card card, so I love using Google Pay to tap and pay.Credit card. I’ve taken to paying with a credit card via a phone tap when possible. From what I understand, the credit card number is not transferred, making it safer.
Yes - this is true - there are still a lot of "cash is king" places - especially in the smaller towns. I was more just commenting on whether or not credit cards "WORK". Yes - they work if they are Visa or Mastercard (not necessarily American Express) - but that is assuming you are trying to use a card in a place where a card, ANY card, is accepted.There may be some municipals and donativos that still take Cash-only…but most places do take Visa or Mastercard as
Totally. Yah. Look for the sign that says, "no aceptamos pago de tarjeta", or something like that. That means credit cards are no bueno. That means no ApplePay or the like. You always gotta carry some cash! Just don't spend it unless you have to (in my opinion).Yes - this is true - there are still a lot of "cash is king" places - especially in the smaller towns. I was more just commenting on whether or not credit cards "WORK". Yes - they work if they are Visa or Mastercard (not necessarily American Express) - but that is assuming you are trying to use a card in a place where a card, ANY card, is accepted.
I don't know about this part... I kind of like carrying cash and trying to not use my cards at all! I totally can keep tabs on how much I have spent and I have no debt when I get home! In 2021 I took out 300-400 Euros in the big cities. In 2022 - I actually got all my Euros at home and never needed an ATM. I don't recommend others carry that much cash - but I actually enjoyed not having to worry about finding ATMs or worrying about the ATM fees and not using my cards most of the time! Thankful that I didn't get robbed lol... but I already keep my fanny pack on my body or at least within sight at all times.You always gotta carry some cash! Just don't spend it unless you have to (in my opinion).
Whilst I have rather taken to waving my ‘phone around to pay and pronouncing on how clever the Chinese are (same joke, different audience every night) I concur wrt cash. Unusually for me - and snatching a minor victory from the jaws of interminable disaster - I bought an unreasonable quantity of actual euros and dollars when the pound spiked on Brexit-night, and I’m still spending them.I don't know about this part... I kind of like carrying cash and trying to not use my cards at all! I totally can keep tabs on how much I have spent and I have no debt when I get home! In 2021 I took out 300-400 Euros in the big cities. In 2022 - I actually got all my Euros at home and never needed an ATM. I don't recommend others carry that much cash - but I actually enjoyed not having to worry about finding ATMs or worrying about the ATM fees and not using my cards most of the time! Thankful that I didn't get robbed lol... but I already keep my fanny pack on my body or at least within sight at all times.
Yep- the opposite of what I do in the US - but it was kind of nice not to be tied to bank and credit cards. The only time I used credit this year was when pre-booking lodging online.
Spain undergoing huge increase in cashless transactions, up something like 25% at the mo!Whilst I have rather taken to waving my ‘phone around to pay and pronouncing on how clever the Chinese are (same joke, different audience every night) I concur wrt cash. Unusually for me - and snatching a minor victory from the jaws of interminable disaster - I bought an unreasonable quantity of actual euros and dollars when the pound spiked on Brexit-night, and I’m still spending them.
An ample supply usually resides on Camino securely pouched where in a time long-ago (we’ve been married for a long time, and happily married for most of that) only Mrs Henrythedog might once have found them.
Yes, well, enough of that. I’m currently doing my level best to work my way from left to right through the offerings of the old guard-house in Malaga. It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it. The automatic spellchecker on this phone really is como los cojones del perro. And multilingual, it appears.
hic
I’ve a couple of cards including ‘Jaja’ - which, God help us - used to be the Post Office. (Honestly, the world’s run by teenage marketeers.) and ‘Creation’ who are abysmal.Spain undergoing huge increase in cashless transactions, up something like 25% at the mo!
Even some very small establishments seem to be taking them. Have noticed even those very small establishments offer the option to pay in euros or ‘home currency’ even for a €3 wine purchases!
Interesting that the majority of banks in Spain charge a fee for overseas card transactions (up to €7 euro in my experience for a UK card) but two countries in I have been in over the last couple of weeks, Italy and Germany, don’t seem to, well certainly the 3 or 4 I used in each countries didn’t! Neither do they offer the ‘euros or home currency’ on card transactions!
I use Monzo as main card. Got Metro too as back up. Monzo=no charges for ATM withdrawals in EU and free up to £200 a month rest of world. No charges on paying at retail establishment anywhere in world! Very happy with Monzo, especially the immediate ‘Ching’ noise when you do a transaction! ! Get addictive!I’ve a couple of cards including ‘Jaja’ - which, God help us - used to be the Post Office. (Honestly, the world’s run by teenage marketeers.) and ‘Creation’ who are abysmal.
The only redeeming feature of these charlatans is real-time currency conversion and no fees ex-UK.
If you could see me now, my technology-assisted ability to communicate that in any way is defying something which I can’t quite put a name to.
I used Metro for some significant transactions when working for a living, but through gritted teeth. They took some business which no one else would touch. - and the photos of the former chairman and his lap-dog were a bit spooky. (See ‘teenage marketeers’, above). Monzo, however, is interesting. I’ll take another look at them.I use Monzo as main card. Got Metro too as back up. Monzo=no charges for ATM withdrawals in EU and free up to £200 a month rest of world. No charges on paying at retail establishment anywhere in world! Very happy with Monzo, especially the immediate ‘Ching’ noise when you do a transaction! ! Get addictive!
Yes friends in the finance world always advise steering clear of travel cards due fees! That said some people like them as they help manage their money. I guess there is a psychological aspect as we have seen a lot of folks overpaying their credit cards before a trip so they don’t have a big bill when they get back. Strictly speaking not the best use of funds but I understand the approach and the ‘warm glow’ when the next months CC bill drops through! Bit like buying Xmas presents in February! Especially as we are dealing on relatively small amounts to of money.Cards advertised as travel cards are usually rife with extra fees. Be sure to read all the fine print before purchase. I got one for my granddaughter when she traveled as a preteen and there was a fee for everything - every charge, every balance check, adding money, etc. A regular debit or credit card is best. I have a Charles Schwab card that reimburses all ATM fees and has no foreign transaction fees when used just like a credit card. I have it set up to send me a message with every charge which makes it easy to track spending.
this is what I do.Although I always carry a credit card with me, I tend to use my debit card for ATM withdrawals and most purchases. But, I now have a separate debit card that I use exclusively for travel. It may be unnecessary, but I prefer not to expose my entire debit account when traveling. Therefore, I’ve set up a second debit account with my bank and simply deposit my trip money into it. As @jeanineonthecamino said above, I withdraw cash generally enough to get me from city to city. The only problem that I’ve found withdrawing money from an ATM is if the bank is a small regional bank. It may not accept your card. However, ATM withdraws work great at the larger banks like Santander. In the past, I found carrying about €200 cash was sufficient. With higher prices now, I’d probably bump that up to €300.
It’s a good idea and can help versus fraud. I.e keep the bulk of your money in the unused travel account and switch when making a withdrawal!this is what I do.
Careful though....some debit cards of major banks have a high foreign transaction fee. (Wells Fargo debit card charges 3% fee on all foreign transactions.)Not really as far as I know, however a debit card from one of the major banks will work overseas with no problem. I once made the mistake of using a banks travel money card. A waste of time and money.
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