So you're planning on traveling abroad. But do you know how to get the best exchange rates in the UK? Many people either opt to use cash, their credit cards, or exchange currencies at the airport. Each of these has their advantages and disadvantages but in the bigger picture prepaid currency cards may be the best option.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Option
The first option is to use cash. While cash is convenient and simple, nobody wants to carry around their huge travel budget with them on their trip. If you lose your wallet or your belongings, this can mean a huge disaster as your cash will be irretrievable.
The second option is to use your credit card. Many international locations accept credit cards and are convenient. However, credit card companies usually charge you extra fees to convert currencies. While the fees are not as high as you'd think, they add up and can cost you a lot of money.
The third option is to get your currency exchanged at the airport. This should only be in the case of an emergency as the fees that the airport exchange centers charge are very high. Sometimes the rates can be over 10%, taking away from your total budget.
Why Prepaid Currency Cards Are The Better Choice
Prepaid currency cards will allow you to get the best exchange rates in the UK. All you have to do is use your credit card or debit card to load up your card. The great thing about prepaid currency cards is that they can be used as a regular credit card but without the high fees associated with international payments.
What's more, many currency cards come with the same kind of benefits as credit cards. You can earn reward points, get fraud protection, and you can return goods if the merchant offers a refund policy. If you lose your currency card, you can let the company know and transfer the remaining money into a new one.
Manage You Money Easier With Currency Cards
When traveling, it's easy to get carried away and spend more than you can afford. According to statistics, most travelers overspend over their planned budget. This is because there are always things that come up where you need to spend additional money.
So if you want to stick to a tight budget, you can do so with a currency card. In addition to getting the best exchange rates in the UK, these cards will not be usable once your budget is reached. Additional money will not be transferred from your credit card or debit card into your account.
Thursday 17 June 2010, 12:18pm
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!
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
Are you looking for the best money for holiday option, especially when you are getting ready for a just lovely holiday in the sun and the sand? A smart tourist is going to look at all the options available to him out there, and choose the one which suits him the best. Now, you need a money option, which is going to allow you to buy foreign currency. You want to get the best foreign currency exchange rate for your pounds, don't you? So you could look at these options for buying foreign currency.
Hard Cash
Some tourists swear by cash in hand, but they spend their holiday looking for places in which to hide that extra cash. (Money belt, inside of shoes,...) You never know when a pickpocket may decide to deprive you of your hard-earned money for holiday! Besides, cash in hand is definitely not a safe option for a tourist travelling in remote areas. That is the reason why you just need to have limited cash in hand for day-to-day expenses, and have other secure money access options available to you, like-
ATM cards
These plastic cards are definitely a boon, because you do not have to carry bulky travellers' cheques. But just imagine that you find yourself stranded somewhere around Sutton Hoo, with no ready cash in your purse and no ATM around you. (Your tourist destination can be Sutton Hoo or Timbuktu or Paraburdoo, it does not matter. The tourist destinations are endless, but the ATMs are limited.) So, an ATM card is good enough, as long as you are in the teeming metropolis. However, this money carrying option is not good for getting easy money for holiday access, in a jiffy in a remote area. Besides, you may find some foreign ATMs charging you for withdrawing money from their ATM boxes.
Travellers' cheques
Once a boon for travellers, but now rather a burden, because you need to find a branch of your own particular bank to encash these travellers cheques, when you travel abroad. Apart from that, travellers cheques are going to bulk up your wallet. And then the hassle of trying to get the travellers cheques made out, beforehand in your own city. You needed to pay the charges the bank required of you, to make out these travellers cheques. And if there were of a large denomination, it would almost seem like you had ready cash in hand. Not very safe, is it? So, what is the best option for a person looking for easy access to cash, when travelling abroad?
Prepaid Cards
Prepaid cards are definitely the safest way in which you can buy foreign currency especially when you are travelling abroad. The idea is that you are going to pay now for the cards and use them at your convenience! These cards are secure, they are going to give you a much better exchange rate for your money for holiday, and the best thing is -- they are not going to have that many added on fees and charges as have many credit cards!
Prepaid cards are thus the best choice open to all future tourists, travelling abroad on holiday, because you can have easy access to your money through your bank, whenever you want, wherever you want. (Sutton Hoo, Timbuktu, Paraburdoo...)
So have a secure, hassle free, and enjoyable vacation and order a FairFX currency card today.
Friday 16 April 2010, 09:59am
If you're planning to travel out of the UK, then one thing that's probably on top of your mind is changing currencies. The Pound to Euro exchange rate can be pretty high once you get to your destination so it's important to plan early and figure out how to get the best rates. There are several ways to exchange currencies:
The Common Way to Exchange Currency
Rather than spend some time to research the best rates, many travelers just do it at the last minute when they get to their destination. The Pound to Euro exchange can be very costly if it's done in a foreign bank or the airport exchange center. Many travelers are charged a percentage and there even flat fees you have to change your currency to Euros.
For Travellers Who Prepared For the Trip
Travellers who prepare for their trip start out by coming up with a budget and researching various exchange centers. This allows them to get the best rates for the currency exchange and they won't have to rely on exchange centers once they get to their destination.
The problem with this method is the fact that they have to carry around a large sum of money while they travel. One of the risks of traveling is that people often lose their luggage, wallet, or get their belongings stolen. If that happens, there is very little chance that the money will be returned. Carrying around a lot of cash also makes some people uneasy.
Credit Cards Are Convenient But Hidden Fees Galore
Credit and debit cards are a great alternative since nobody can take out cash from your bank account without the right pin code. If your credit card gets used by somebody else and the signature is not yours, most companies will waive that fee and issue you protection from fraud.
The downside is that credit card companies and banks charge you extra fees every time you use your card to pay in another currency. Although these fees are not significant, they can add up and end up costing more than getting your money exchanged at their airport. You also need to be aware of how your credit card company or bank handles the whole situation of paying in another currency.
Currency Cards Offer the Convenience, Ease, and Security at a Discount
So what's the best way to exchange currencies? It's simply currency cards. Currency cards are easy to use - all you need to do is put in the amount of money you want to spend into the card. This allows you to manage your budget easier and currency cards offer a better Pound to Euro exchange rate than your other options (it can be 10-15% cheaper).
You'll also feel secure about the fact that you're not carrying huge sums of cash and if you lose your card, you can transfer your balance into a new card with a simple phone call to the company. In final, prepaid currency cards is the way to go if you want to enjoy your trip without any worries. Apply now for your FairFX Foreign Currency Card to save for your next trip.
Thursday 15 April 2010, 10:09am
If you are planning a holiday overseas, you need to understand the advantages that prepaid currency cards offer over other options. Travel checks and credit cards are some options that people might think of and others might think of going to the bank and getting foreign exchange currency, but the best currency exchange rates are available with currency cards. The safety and security of prepaid currency cards make them popular for holiday travel cash and they are easy to get, safe and secure and offer more flexibility than other options.
The Best Currency Exchange Rates With Prepaid Currency Cards:
When you are going to travel overseas and need foreign currency, it is easy to set up an online account for prepaid currency cards, which give you the best foreign currency exchange rates. Because they don't have the overhead of exchange bureaus or kiosks, you can enjoy currency cards that offer more travel money for your holiday fun or your next business trip. And since with FairFX, your money arrives on a MasterCard, with chip and PIN, you have extra security on your travels.
Travel Cash Options Besides Prepaid Currency Cards:
While prepaid currency cards are the safest and most preferred way to have access to your travel cash, you can also have the banknotes delivered to your home the next day, once you have set up your account. When you go to purchase currency cards, you are given the option to have 21 currencies delivered to your front door through insured mail the next day, which saves time and you get the best currency exchange rates so it saves money, too. In fact, if your transaction is more than 500 pounds, delivery is free, but if it is smaller than that, it only costs 6 pounds to have your banknotes delivered the next day.
Ease of Use That Currency Cards Offer:
No matter where your travels might take you, prepaid cards are a great way to get the things you want and have access to the foreign currency you need, without the need to have cash on you, which makes it more secure than any other means. When you decide to travel to a foreign country for a holiday or business trip, prepaid currency cards are the safest way and you can use them just like a MasterCard, except there isn't any interest and you can access your cash in the foreign exchange rates that are the most attractive, making your travel cash stretch further on your holiday.
If you need to travel and are considering the best ways to take advantage of the best currency exchange rates, consider all of the advantages that prepaid currency cards can offer. They are easy and convenient to get online with your personal computer and they are safe and secure. Currency cards are the best option for the holiday cash you need. Apply now here.
Tuesday 30 March 2010, 03:44pm
There are several options for buying foreign currency before you take a holiday or trip, but you might find good reasons to settle on prepaid currency cards as the best option. A currency card is better because it is more secure and gives you better exchange rates than buying cash.
When it comes to converting pounds to dollars and finding the best currency exchange rates, it can be mind boggling for the international traveler to keep track of how much money they actually have available when converted. We will look at the benefits of using a currency card.
Price Benefits of a Currency Card
The currency card is a great way to cut out the expenses that can be associated with expensive bureaus and kiosks that convert Euros and Dollars. With market-leading rates of currency conversion, you get more spending money, when you are on foreign business trips or holidays. With state of the art technology to execute currency exchanges, you benefit from the best priced Euros and Dollars and you can get travel cash delivered to your home for free, with minimum orders on your currency card. There are price benefits that the currency card can deliver because it offers higher currency exchange rates than many of the leading currency exchange services, including the Post Office and HSBC, just to name a couple.
Convenience Benefits of the Currency Card
Because you can get the best rates of currency conversion when you buy online, it is very convenient to get the Euros and Dollars you need for your foreign travels. You can take advantage of 3 options to buy foreign currency. The currency card is the easiest to use in foreign countries because it is a Prepaid MasterCard that features a chip and PIN, which you can use anywhere around the world. Travel cash delivered to your home or paid to your foreign currency bank account are other ways to take advantage of this convenient online feature, but it depends on where you are traveling and how much cash you want to have on your person or whether you will have access to the bank account everywhere you are. With the currency card, you have convenient options to consider, so you just have to choose the one that best suits your needs.
Security Benefits of the Currency Card
Security is of the upmost importance when it comes to currency exchanges and your holiday traveling cash. While carrying cash can be risky in some foreign countries, the currency card offers you security all the way around. Whether it is your online ordering of currency, carrying the Prepaid MasterCard or reporting a lost and stolen currency card, the security features of the currency card offers advantages over the other means of converting your currency.
There is no other method that offers the benefits you will find with the currency card. It bears investigating, when your travels require currency exchanges and traveling cash that is convenient, secure and offered at the best exchange rates you will find.
Thursday 18 March 2010, 04:18pm
Relaxation is the best way of getting back some of the energy that work and life take from you. Going on a mini-break or holiday is key in ensuring your well-being. There is an inventory that you will need to make before you go abroad, and this is not at all time consuming.
Ensuring that the country you wish to travel in is safe and that your debit and credit cards will be accepted is one of them. Online booking of travel means that you don't have to waste time going to a travel agent. Instead, you can book your flights sooner rather than later.
Having enough money to spend is important as is the need for you to get the right foreign currency. Always ensure that you have money for contingencies such as theft or having your luggage stolen. Foreign currencies mean that you don't have to worry about using your credit or debit card and instead you can have an fx mastercard.
Post Office
The post office is known for providing you with commission free exchange of money. That is why so many people are willing to give up some of their lunch hour and queue up at the post office. You can also find that you are able to buy your currencies online from your local post office and just have to pick them up. The reason for this is that you might be able to also purchase your travel insurance at the same time.
It all boils down to what you want and need. The fx mastercard is a rather useful tool in that you are able to get the foreign currency you need and eliminating the need for cash. When you take out large sums of money in a foreign country you are making yourself vulnerable to thieves who would want to part you with your hard earned money.
Online
The internet has made it easy to manage your holiday trips. That is why people are always keen on getting their fx mastercard or their foreign currency online. When it comes to purchasing foreign currency you have to be aware that sometimes companies will charge you a commission. This is applicable to even buying your foreign currencies from your local bank.
While everyone might be screaming from the roof tops that they can give you the best deal you have to be wary of this. This is not to say that you are not able to get a great deal, but the exchange rate and the sellers own commission has to be taken into consideration. Having an fx mastercard can help you by preventing you from having the need to carry cash which can make you vulnerable.
FX mastercard
When it comes to getting rid of the hassle associated with buying foreign currency then the fx mastercard is the best way. You do not have to carry large sums of money with this foreign currency prepaid card. All you have to do is ensure that you have put in the amount of money that you want in the foreign currency that you will need.
With the FairFX Currency Cards you get market leading exchange rates, the security of a MasterCard, and fee-free payments. Apply today.
Wednesday 17 March 2010, 09:08am
You can use a prepaid currency card from anywhere in the world, pretty much like a normal credit card. The irony of this card is that you can spend as much as you want and still you will not incur any kind of debt unlike a regular credit card where you have monthly card bills, interests and payments to make.
However you need to make sure that your account has sufficient amount of cash balance at all times. The prepaid credit card works on the same principle of using a savings account linked debit card or a checking account card.
So, how do I open a prepaid credit card account? Well, it’s quite simple actually. You can open an account with a nominal fee. The fee amount varies from bank to bank. But this figure generally varies, depending upon the kind of bank you are dealing with. A prepaid credit card is of a huge benefit for people who are burdened with a bad credit rating. You will now be able to use this prepaid card to book hotel rooms, rental cars and other such things when you are traveling without having to bother about credit card bills and interests. All you have to do is maintain a sufficient cash balance in your prepaid card account.
Prepaid cards are very popular in the travel industry. Recently, we have seen the introduction of Travel Money cards which are seen as an alternate to your regular prepaid credit cards. These travel money cards are very quickly replacing the use of travel checks, foreign currency or even the good old international credit cards. There are dual advantages with a travel money card once you load your card with sufficient money. On one hand it can be used as a debit card when you have to withdraw money from an ATM and on the other hand you can use it like a credit card to make payments for any kind of purchase you make when traveling abroad.
With the way the world economy is moving, people are no longer willing to carry more money with them when on a travel abroad. In such a situation, using Fairfx travel money card is the most viable option in front of you. This is because you do not incur any charges on your Fairfx Travel Money card unlike other regular credit and debit cards. These travel cards can be used in almost all the major shopping outlets of the world, since it is simply a standard MasterCard.
The biggest advantage with the Fairfx Travel Money Card is that it is completely secure. This is because the travel money card is not connected to your bank account. Just like your pre paid mobile phones you either have to top it up via an online bank transfer or use the SMS facility.
Thursday 11 March 2010, 11:15am
Most everybody realizes that it is not a smart idea to travel with loads of cash in your pocket. If someone should happen to steal it or you end up dropping it somewhere, tough luck. There is absolutely no way to get your money back, as nobody is going to replace it for you.
Traveller's cheques' days are numbered
That is originally why things like traveller’s cheques took off, as they offered greater security compared to cash. If you lost your traveller’s cheques or had them stolen, you simply made a phone call and they were quickly replaced. But just like regular cheques, traveller’s cheques are rapidly being replaced by plastic cards that are both secure and convenient to use. One such card you can get is a travel MasterCard.
Prepaid currency cards are the new travel money solution
Now you may be asking why should you use a travel MasterCard when you already have a credit card sitting right there in your hands. One reason is credit cards will charge you interest on any and all purchases you make while traveling. And with interest rates climbing the way they are these days, that accumulated interest will start to add up really fast. Another reason people would rather use a prepaid card instead of their usual credit card is so that they can control their spending. A credit card will allow you to spend as much as you want until you reach the spending limit, which usually totals in the thousands of dollars for most people. With a prepaid card, you put money on the card first and then that is the total amount you have to work with.
MasterCards give you added security and peace of mind
With a prepaid MasterCard, since the card is issued by MasterCard, the most widely accepted card company there is, you should have no problem finding businesses that will accept your card. Some people may prefer to use their debit card from their own bank account, and while that certainly works too, you want to be careful in doing that.
If someone should happen to steal your prepaid card, you will only have lost the amount you put on the card to start with. With a debit card, the thief will be able to clean out your entire bank account. Now, obviously you can report either card stolen and will eventually get all of your money back, but in the meantime, having an entire bank account wiped out could cause problems, like accruing many late fees until the matter is resolved. A prepaid travel MasterCard also offers added security over credit and debit cards, in that you need a PIN number in order to use it.
Apply for the FairFX currency card today, and see how much you could save on your next trip.
Friday 05 March 2010, 01:53pm
When traveling overseas and visiting a foreign country, you obviously will not be able to use the same money you use every day in your own country. You will have to use some other method of paying for things while you are travelling.
You can take cash with you and simply convert it to the local currency, but that is not very safe, as it won’t be replaced should it get stolen. You can use credit cards which are safer and more secure than cash, as well as convenient and easy to carry. But some may have bad credit and can’t get a credit card, and if they can, the interest rate added up on all purchases made while travelling will be pretty high in the end. Another option is to get a pre paid MasterCard.
A pre paid MasterCard is rapidly becoming the preferred choice for currency among overseas travellers. Things like traveller’s checks are seen these days as a relic or antique just as regular checks are being replaced by credit and debit cards. Using this type of very simple, as all you have to do is put money on it and it will be sent right out to you. Once you get the card, you can use it anywhere in the world, just as you would a regular credit or debit card. Any business that takes MasterCard, which is the most widely accepted card, by the way, will accept this card.
You can use your pre paid MasterCard two different ways. You can use it like an ATM card and get cash out of a machine, with the amount subtracted from the total you first put on the card. You can also use it just like a credit card, swiping it at the time of purchase, with the total spent being subtracted from the amount on your card. So why should you use a pre paid card instead of just using a credit or debit card? For starters, some people may not have a credit card or may have bad credit, meaning their spending limit is very low. Others may not have a bank account so they can’t use a debit or ATM card.
FarFX's pre paid cards have no top up fees, no transaction fees and one of the best exchange rates around. Get your travel money card today to start saving money on your next trip.
Tuesday 02 March 2010, 09:32am
