FairFX Currency Articles
Are you planning to go on a vacation out of the country but worried that your expenses might go overboard? If you are then that makes you one of the thousands who are worried about carrying cash, saving money while on vacation, and having to deal with travel money rates that catch you off guard. Most travelers who fail to manage their finances while on vacation often end up going over budget and are left to pay for their credit card bills.
Look at our brilliant travel money rates:
The Traditional Solution to Changing Your Currency
There are a lot of choices that you can choose from when it comes to bringing changing currency. The traditional way is carrying cash. Having your money in your wallet might give you convenience, but you're also taking a risk as you never know what might happen. You may be pick-pocketed, lose your wallet, or even overspend. To be wise about carrying cash, it is safer to bring a small amount with you to spend on the little purchases that you make on the trip.
A lot of travelers often fall into making the mistake of changing currencies on airports; Travel money rates on airports are lower which makes it more expensive. Furthermore, commissions are charged by companies at almost 8% in general when converting currency.
Another option is your credit and debit cards. Using your credit card or debit card can be fast and handy, saving you the hassle of carrying a lot of money. But for the convenience, credit and debit card companies charge you high rates for foreign currency transactions (Credit card users are charged almost 3%).
Another popular choice is using the ATM, withdrawing your money through ATMs is convenient and it also allows you to spend within your limit. However, it does have some drawbacks. You will have to take your time in looking for ATMs to withdraw your cash, for a tourist in a foreign country this may be exhausting for you because you are not familiar with the area.
The Contemporary Advantage
The best method is the use of prepaid currency cards. It is by far the most secure and has lesser fees and minimal charges than credit cards but offers the same amount of convenience. You also don't have to worry about overspending as you get to monitor your expenses. The card also offers better exchange rates than buying cash and you won't have to deal with long lines at FOREX booths to have your money changed. If lost or stolen, the latest transaction could be cancelled and your remaining account could be transferred to another card within 24 hours.
How do I Save Money While on Holiday?
The answer is easy - by spending wisely and keeping track of the money that you are spending. If you want to think ahead of yourself and you want to do away with the trouble of auditing your cash every now and then, managing your finances and using a prepaid card to limit your expenses will go a long way in saving money. This way you won't have to deal with the high travel money rates in exchange centers.
Order your FairFX card today for much better value travel money on your next trip.
Friday 30 April 2010, 02:23pm
Using a FairFX currency card gives you much better exchange rates for your Euros that the airport or high street. To save money on your next trip to Europe, order one of our cards now!
Check out our rates on Euro holiday money:
If you are going on holiday to Spain or Greece, or to any other European country then at some point you will need to exchange pounds for euros. Most people will purchase their travel money a few days before they go away. Travel agents and banks can supply you with foreign currency and they will usually charge you a commission for doing so. One of the problems with taking all your holiday money euros as cash means that you will be walking around with a lot of money in your pocket.
People who want to feel safer and who don't like carrying a lot of money around with them when they are on holiday may prefer to use travellers cheques. One of the problems with using either traveller's cheques or cash is that once you have bought your travel money, you won't be able to take advantage of any further changes in the exchange rate. Currency exchange rates fluctuate all the time and you could get two or three more euros to the pound on one day, than you did on another.
Apart from buying your holiday money euros for cash or by using travellers' cheques, you can also use your credit card to draw money out once you reach your destination. When you use a credit card in this way the card issuer will take a commission because you have drawn cash, and it will also cost you more money to use the ATM machine. Increasingly people are getting fed up at having to pay all the hidden extras just to get their holiday money. If you are fed up and looking for an alternative means of sorting out your holiday money then you will pay less if you use a currency card.
Currency cards can be obtained online and they work in a similar way to a credit card or debit card, apart from the fact that you have to load the card up with money first to be able to use it. There are a number of companies that supply currency cards and the commission rates differ slightly from one provider to another. When you use a currency card you can always charge it up with more cash straight from your bank account either online or over the telephone.
You don't have ATM costs with a currency card and the charges are a lot lower than they would be on most credit cards. If you don't like carrying around a lot of cash with you when you are away, then currency cards are an ideal alternative. When you use a currency card you dispense with all the hassle and extra costs that are often associated with trying to get your holiday money euros.
Order your FairFX card today for much better Euro rates.
Thursday 29 April 2010, 12:14pm
If you have a holiday planned then before you go away you will probably want to sort out your holiday spending money. One of the problems that many of us face when going abroad is knowing where and how to get the best exchange rate when we go away. Below are a number of ideas for getting your travel money.
Look at our brilliant tourist rates of exchange on our prepaid cards:
Tip 1: Buying Currency
Many travel agents will tell you that you can buy your currency from them and that when you return, they will change back notes over a certain denomination e.g. twenty euros. At the moment there is not that much difference in value between the pound and the euro although the exchange value changes every day. Buying currency from your travel agent is useful if you haven't had much time to sort out your travel money. If you don't want to take a pocket full of cash away with you then you may want to consider getting some travellers cheques.
Tip 2: Travellers Cheques
The main advantage of buying travellers cheques is that you are not carrying around a lot of cash. If you lose your travellers cheques or they are stolen, the company will get you some more. One of the problems with buying travellers cheques is that many hotels and exchange offices will charge an extra commission on tourist exchange rates when you use traveller's cheques.
Tip 3: Credit Cards
If you don't want to take a lot of foreign currency away with you, or deal with travellers cheques then you can use your credit card. A credit card is more convenient as you can get cash out of an ATM machine whenever you need it. You will be charged for borrowing money on your credit card and there is usually a charge for using ATM machines abroad.
While all of the above tips are useful and viable ways of getting your travel money sorted out, each option also has its drawbacks. There is a cheaper and more convenient way of getting your travel money, and that is by using a currency card. Currency cards are quite new and issuers charge different percentages for using them, nevertheless the charges are usually a lot lower than borrowing on your credit card and using an ATM machine.
A currency card is a prepaid card, which means it works in the same way as a credit or debit card, once you have loaded the money on it. Probably the best place to get your currency cards is online as you can also add more money online or by phone if you prefer. When you use a currency card there are no ATM charges, and the cost of the card is minimal when you compare it to borrowing on a credit card. A currency card is a convenient and cost effective way of getting your travel money and obtaining the best tourist exchange rates.
A FairFX card gives you better exchange rates and more security than other options for taking money abroad. Apply for your card today to save money on your next trip abroad.
Wednesday 28 April 2010, 10:26am
Are you looking for ways to save money on a trip abroad? Securing a prepaid currency card is the answer to your problem. With it, you will be able to get travel money direct at a competitive rate. Prepaid cards are also cheap, convenient, and easy to use. By using a prepaid currency card, you don't need to go through the hassle of exchanging currencies when you get to your destination.
Look at our great rates when you order travel money direct on a prepaid card:
Purchasing Foreign Currency Online
In buying currency online there are some important things to consider. First is that the online currency exchange company should have a minimum of 2 years of audited accounts, a risk-free service with online order encryption for safe purchase, and they must be registered with the Better Business Bureau.
The advantage of buying foreign currency online is that you can save money on exchange rates and you are also assured that you have the local currency available when you arrive to the country. You don't have to worry about transaction fees on ATM and credit cards. You can order travel cash with FairFX as well, but not at a rate as strong as on our currency cards.
Purchasing Foreign Currency in the Airports
Buying currencies in the airport is advantageous if you weren't able to exchange to the local currency before you got to the country. The airport exchange center is great for last minute emergencies and useful if you didn't prepare beforehand. The biggest disadvantage in buying foreign currencies in airports is the fee. It is very high and you can end up paying up to 15% more compared to other methods.
Securing a Prepaid Currency Card
All the above mentioned ways involve exchanging with cash, which is risky and unsettling. You can eliminate this risk by securing a prepaid currency card. You can get competitive rates similar to buying foreign currency online and you will have travel money direct at a better price.
You can have these benefits without the high fees charged in the airports and on the high street. You will also feel more secure carrying a card instead of money. It's clear that buying prepaid currency cards is the way to go if you're traveling abroad.
A FairFX card gives you better exchange rates and more security than other options for taking money abroad. Apply for your card today to save money on your next trip abroad.
Tuesday 27 April 2010, 09:55am
Spending money for a holiday? Be financially secure and save money by applying for a prepaid currency card. It can make your travelling experience easier and safer. At first you might be skeptical about the idea, but the advantages of carrying a prepaid currency card whenever you go abroad far outweigh trying to exchange money the old way.
Have a look at our great rates on spending money for your holiday:
The Old Way of Exchanging Currency
Before prepaid cards became popular, you'd have to carry a large amount of cash when you go travel out of the country. A lot of people feel uncomfortable carrying a lot of money with them while they travel as it's easy to lose bags or have your possessions stolen. When you actually get to the currency exchange center, you'll find that they charge incredibly high rates and it's difficult to find places where the rates are low.
Using Credit Cards
You can use credit cards to pay for goods and services but stores in foreign countries only accept certain credit cards. In addition, there's a huge surcharge that's added to your credit card because you are using it out of your country. Also, if there is an error in your receipt or you get overcharged, the chance of disputing it are slim since you'd only find out after you left the country you were visiting.
Prepaid Currency Cards Offers a Cheaper and Easier Solution
Prepaid currency cards are safer, easier, and cheaper than carrying cash or using a credit card. If you're spending money for a holiday, you should aim to save some money. Prepaid currency cards can save you as much as 10% compared to the currency exchange booths at the airport. (See our homepage for live rates of exchange). The currency card companies are trying to compete with exchange centers and are offering competitive prices for buyers.
You'll also feel secure since you're using a prepaid card instead of carrying cash. Putting the amount of money in the card will also help you control your spending since you have a budget to work with. What's more there are no interest charges, no debt to pay, and no chances of getting charged overdraft fees by your bank.
Choosing between carrying money and securing a prepaid currency card is all up to you. However, it's clear that prepaid cards are cheaper, safer, and easier to work with. If you're spending money for holiday, you might as well do it in peace and enjoy your next trip.
Get a FairFX card today to make sure that you get the best deal buying foreign currency for your next holiday.
Monday 26 April 2010, 09:55am
Most travelers know that they need to do some money exchanging prior to leaving for holiday, but what many fail to think of are the many circumstances in which they may need to exchange money while they are still far from home.
Have a look at our great Euro exchange rates:
Cash Withdrawals
The first thing you may think to do is hit an ATM with a debit or credit card and simply withdraw some cash in the local currency for wherever you happen to be at the moment. This is one of the easiest remedies for the situation at hand, but you will find the fees that your credit card company and the owner of that foreign ATM charge you for that transaction to be quite shocking.
The fees with credit card withdraws away from home is simply absurd, which is why most people avoid this option at all costs.
Exchanging Euros for Local Cash
Your next likely resource would be local companies and banks that are located in tourist areas where you are likely spending a lot of your time on holiday. The problem with this is you will never get the best euro exchange rate from these companies, no mater what lines they feed you.
You may be able to get a more reasonable exchange rate if you went away from a tourist area to a bank in a residential community, but you still won’t get the lowest rate possible.
The Secret Revealed
So, what’s the secret here? How do you get the best euro exchange rate on your currency exchange when you are far from home?
It turns out you find the best rates the same you find them prior to holiday when you are at home in your own community! This of course means you go with prepaid cards that can be used around the world.
A prepaid card will not only offer the best euro exchange rate, but it will give you the option of reloading additional funds onto the card if you need it during your trip. They are simple to reload and will offer low rates that simply cannot be competed with through most local businesses and banks. You can also purchase them online, which gives you the ability to compare different cards to ensure you are in fact getting the best euro exchange rate out there.
Holidays are meant to give you a break from the stress of every day life, but when you run out of money and are worried about getting a reasonable exchange rate things can feel more than stressful. Give yourself a break and purchase a prepaid card or two prior to leaving.
Better yet, purchase one “just in case” emergency prepaid card to ensure you receive the same low rate that you received prior to your trip. Since these cards always have the same value no matter when they are used, this is a way to essentially lock in your rate and be prepared for the worst.
Get a FairFX card today for better rates on euro exchange.
Friday 23 April 2010, 10:54am
Prepaid currency cards are the best option to save yourself cash when buying travel money. They are more secure, and give you much better exchange rates than buying cash. See how much you could save with a FairFX card now!
Have a look at our great rates on buying travel money:
When you need to convert the £ into a foreign currency, the choices for buying travel money might seem limited, yet there can be vast difference in the amount you can expect to end up with after the conversion rate is calculated and the commissions and other fees are added. With the prepaid currency cards, you get the best exchange rates for buying travel money, yet you also get convenience and security that no other options offer.
What Is A Prepaid Currency Card?
You can convert your home currency into a foreign currency quite easily through a prepaid currency card. It is a prepaid MasterCard that works just like any other credit card except you exchange currency before you go on your foreign holiday. Not only do you get the best foreign exchange rate when buying travel money, but the prepaid MasterCard has a chip and PIN to use, making them the most secure option. Because they are so easy to use, and you get the best exchange rates when buying travel money, you can enjoy your holiday with the peace of mind you get from know you got the most from your currency exchange when buying travel money and you have a secure option that is easy to carry in your holiday travels.
Is It Difficult To Get The Prepaid Currency Card?
When you are buying travel money, you want the easiest option because you have many things to do before leaving on your holiday and probably find yourself without adequate time. With the prepaid currency card, you can use your personal computer, sign on the Internet, open your foreign currency account in a matter of minutes and complete the purchase for buying travel money online. Because you can open your account as part of the purchase transaction, when you are buying travel money, the entire process is quick and easy. You can choose from 3 options when buying travel money with your account, but the prepaid currency card is the most popular. Of course, you can have banknotes delivered to your front door or have your exchanged currency transferred to your foreign currency bank account.
Does The Prepaid Currency Spend Like Other Travel Money?
Because the prepaid currency card is a MasterCard with a chip and PIN for security, you can use it anyplace that you use credit cards, which is almost anywhere, worldwide. When you are buying travel money, the prepaid currency card is easy to use in all of the places you will go, including hotels, pubs, eateries and the most popular tourist destinations. Because it is already exchanged currency, the prepaid card makes it easy for you to stay within your budget, and when buying travel money, you have the peace of mind in knowing that you can use the prepaid currency card like you do other exchanged currency options, but you enjoy more security and convenience than any other methods you might choose.
Order a FairFX card today and see how much you could save on your travel money!
Thursday 22 April 2010, 10:33am
Are you thinking of traveling abroad? If so, then one of most important aspects is planning your finances. Managing your finances well will not only help you keep to your budget but will also help you get more out of your money, so you can do more on your trip. That's why it's crucial that you familiarize yourself with the currency conversion methods and look at all your different options. Here are a couple of them that you may be familiar with.
Have a look at our brilliant rates on currency conversion:
The ‘Usual' Currency Conversion Methods
Most people don't think too much about currency conversion prior to the trip. The usual approach is going to a currency exchange center when they arrive. However, the exchange centers do not offer the best currency exchange rates and most, if not all charge commissions.
Some travellers are used to their debit or credit cards. But using debit or credit cards can be very costly if used abroad. Typically, there is an added charge of about 2.75% every transaction for the currency conversion made. Currency conversions can also be done at the airport but it they have some of the most highest rates and add charges that can total up to as much as 15-20% of the transaction.
The Risks of Carrying Cash
Some people plan their currency exchange way before the trip, and make sure that they are fully stocked up on cash before they leave. However, there are many risks of carrying cash, and you may not be getting the best exchange rate you can.
There is the risk of mismanaging your expenses and not being able to stick to your budget. And if you lose your bag or wallet, the money will be irretrievable. In general, most people are not comfortable carrying a huge amount of money with them.
The Advantage of Using Prepaid Currency Cards
Prepaid currency cards were created to cater the needs of travellers like you. Companies offering these cards are contending with the currency exchange offices so the conversion rates are much lower. FairFX has recently introduced the ‘Anywhere Card' which is the best currency card available. With the FairFX Anywhere Card, you get zero loading charges and zero ATM charges. The only added expense is the 1.5% transaction fee which is by far less than any transaction fee of other similar cards out there.
In addition, currency cards address the risks of carrying cash. If the card is lost or stolen, you can always connect with the 24-hour customer support and have the balance transferred to a new one. Also, your identity cannot be found on your card so you won't have to worry about identity theft or fraud. To sum up, currency conversion can be made much easier with prepaid currency cards. They'll allow you to enjoy your trip without any financial worries.
Wednesday 21 April 2010, 04:12pm
A FairFX prepaid card gives you much better tourist currency rates that you would get at the airport on on the high street, as well as giving you added security. Order you card now and see how much you could save.
Have a look at our brilliant tourist currency rates:
There are several options for buying foreign currency before you take a holiday or trip, but tourist currency rates can vary greatly, when it is time to make a currency exchange. You might need to convert the £ into the foreign currency you need for your holiday, but the Post Office, HSBC and Travelex Heathrow aren't the best tourist currency rates you can find because prepaid cards offer the best options. The other thing to consider besides getting better exchange rates with prepaid currency cards than you can when buying cash, is that they are much more secure, making them the best option for your holiday spending. You can avoid sky high tourist currency rates by using a prepaid card and they are convenient to use, as well.
How Does A Prepaid Card Work?
The prepaid cards are actually a prepaid MasterCard that you can spend in any hotel, eatery, pub or shop, yet you can get currency, if you need to. Most people that need to make a currency exchange will find they might be faced with sky high tourist currency rates at some of the traditional exchange bureaus, especially if you have a need to do it in a foreign country. It is easy to open an account in a matter of minutes and it is part of the initial currency exchange purchase so you can easily make a bank transfer and choose a prepaid card, or choose to have money transferred to your foreign currency bank account or get the banknotes delivered to your front door, should you prefer. Of course, the prepaid card is a secure option that offers convenient access.
Why Is The Prepaid Card The Most Affordable?
Because it is an Internet-based business, there isn't the rent overhead that is involved with exchange bureaus and even the kiosks have high space rental fees to cover. With the prepaid card, there isn't overhead so there is no commission, like many of the other options. You can avoid the worst tourist currency rates with the prepaid card and it is so easy to open an account and get the most secure option for your holiday trip, no matter where you might decide to visit. Because of the high volume of currency exchanges, you also save because, with the prepaid card, you get the benefit of the best two-way negotiated tourist currency rates on 21 different currencies.
Can You Lock In Tourist Currency Rates?
With the prepaid card for your holiday in a foreign country, you can exchange currency before you go and avoid the fluctuating tourist currency rates. This can help you lock in your spending and stay within your budget, but it can help you avoid sky high tourist currency rates you would encounter, should you wait to make an exchange during your holiday travels. Not only does the prepaid currency card offer you a secure and convenient option, but it is the best way to avoid high tourist currency rates, when you are ready to go on a foreign holiday. Order your FairFX card now.
Wednesday 21 April 2010, 12:23pm
Using a FairFX currency card gives you much better exchange rates for your Euros. To save money on your next trip to Europe, order one of our cards now!
Check out our great exchange rates on Euros:
Taking a vacation abroad is definitely exciting. But let's face the fact that most people end up spending way more than their budget. So when planning for a vacation, it's important to come up with a plan so you can spend your money intelligently. You can start by finding the best exchange rates for Euros.
By doing a bit of research ahead of time, you can find out how to get the best exchange rates for Euros. There are certain times when exchange rates are low, allowing you to save on your trip. But the currency exchange market also works in the opposite way where you will have an unfavorable exchange rate. We all know that currency exchange rate fluctuates daily so you need to keep an eye on its recent rate.
If you want to get the best rates, opt for a prepaid currency card. It's a new and effective method in the travel industry. Basically it works like your usual debit card but instead, you can load it up with the currency of your choice.
What are the advantages of currency cards?
Currency can be exchanged at lower rates with currency cards. Companies like us who offer these services are competing with exchange booths so the rates are much cheaper than usual. It is preloaded with the amount you specified so your exchange rate won't fluctuate when you use the card. You will also know exactly how much you have and be able to adhere with your budget. In the case that you are not able to use all the money, you can either withdraw it or keep it for your next trip.
What's more, you don't have to worry about getting your card stolen. There is a 24/7 customer support department you can contact and you can request for funds to be transferred to a new card. All you have to do is verify your identification.
Are there any other options besides prepaid currency cards?
There are plenty of other ways to exchange currency. You can use traveler's checks, cash, credit cards, and debit cards. It's possible to get great rates if you plan beforehand. However, it's not always ideal to carry around a lot cash with you while you're traveling.
Other exchange methods such as checks, credit cards, and debit cards can be costly. The bank and credit companies will usually charge you a high rate every time you use their card to pay in a foreign currency. And if you lose your bag or wallet, you'll have no way to access your money. Prepaid currency cards are the easiest and simplest way to pay for all your travel needs.
Nevertheless, you can have a combination of these options and weigh what suits you best. Order a FairFX card today, and see how much you could save on exchange rates!
Tuesday 20 April 2010, 04:48pm
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