Are you planning to take a vacation or a business trip abroad? If so, then you must already be engrossed with all the necessary preparations such as the things that you should bring, your hotel accommodation, scouting for tourist destinations, and a lot more. One aspect which is sometimes overlooked is how to maximize your finances. This is not about having a huge and flexible budget but rather how you can get the most out of your money. This is about taking advantage of the best tourist rate exchange.
The Leverage of Knowing Tourist Rate Exchange
With your finances at hand, it is essential to know how far it will go in your destination country. This is of utmost importance especially if you are on a tight budget. While comparisons among different foreign rate exchanges only shows minor differences, the overall difference adds up to a considerable amount of money since you're most likely going to convert a large amount of money. A bad tourist rate exchange means you could lose a big portion of your travel budget.
Remember that in business, high demand of any product provided by only a few suppliers result in an increase in price. This also holds true with rate exchange establishments. The worst tourist rate exchange is offered at the airport. Typically, only two or three exchange centers compete in an airport. The added charge may even reach up to 20% of the exchange value. This is obviously a bad deal but a person who did not prepare ahead and is already pressed for time may have to resort to this rate.
The best option to dodge terrible rate exchange is to opt for prepaid travel money cards. Companies that offer these cards are in close competition with leading foreign rate exchange centers. Not only do they provide the best exchange rates, but you will be able to know the value of your money in your destination ahead of time.
Worry-free Travel with Currency Cards
Your travel schedule may be packed with many activities. And carrying a huge amount of money in your bag or purse is definitely an added emotional burden. What if somebody manages to steal your bag? What if you are too engrossed with your activities and you end up misplacing your bag or wallet? Using a currency card will definitely address this issue.
The fact still remains that you may still lose your purse or bag, but with a currency card you can rest assured that your money will be safe. Not only do prepaid currency cards provide the best exchange rate, they also offer money protection. If you lose your card, you can email the customer service representative and get a new one with the old balance transferred into it.
Other Advantages of Currency Cards
Avoiding terrible tourist rate exchange is not only where you can get great savings. Withdrawal fees, loading fees, and other possible added charges are generally lower compared to the traditional credit and debit cards. Prepaid currency cards also come with the usual debit card features such as possible reimbursement of purchases.
Order a FairFX card now to save on your holiday money.
Tuesday 22 June 2010, 04:04pm
Taking a trip outside of the country is definitely thrilling especially if you're visiting a new destination. However, a lot of travelers spend way beyond their planned budget. When planning for a trip abroad, it is vital to know how to manage your finances well. Handling your money does not only include the money you're going to spend during your travels but it also involves how far your money will go in the country. Basically, it's about finding the best money exchange rates.
Spending some time on research prior to your trip will help you find how and where to get best money exchange rates. If you look at the trends, you'll see that exchange rates fluctuate daily but the fluctuations are not really big.
There are times that you can get great exchange rates and you'll be able to stretch your travel budget. However, this also works the other way around and you may find yourself with unfavorable rates. Since the rate fluctuates every day, most people try to target the average rate value. Rather than going with this option, the best way to get the best money exchange rates is to go for a prepaid currency card. This card is specifically tailored for travelers. Essentially, this card is more like of a debit card but is loaded with the currency of your destination country.
What are the benefits of using prepaid currency cards?
The most important thing that prepaid currency cards offer is the best money exchange rates. Prepaid card providers are in tight competition with foreign exchange establishments. This form of competition is beneficial to travelers like you.
What's more, you get to know ahead of time how much money you will have after the exchange. The amount of money you load into your card will stay the same and will not be altered by the daily fluctuations of the global exchange rates. Basically, if you've done your research on the country's cost of living then you will be able to be on track with your budget. And if you have some money left on the card after the trip, you have two options: withdraw it or use it for the next vacation.
The advantage of currency cards over carrying cash is that you will be safe if it is lost during your trip. Providers have customer service representatives ready to answer your queries all the time. With proper proof of identification, you can readily request your money to be transferred to a new prepaid currency card.
Where do I get these currency cards?
There are various companies that provide prepaid currency cards. And the best ones maintain an updated website so you may compare which ones provide the best money exchange rates. Some factors that you should look for are zero monthly charges, zero added ATM fees (the ATM owner generally has basic withdrawal fee), and zero loading fees.
Truly, using prepaid currency cards provides a lot of advantages compared to other methods. Remember these cards came into existence with the traveler's needs in mind. In the end, which card you go with will be determined by your needs as different companies offer different features.
Get a FairFX card today and take advantage of better holiday money rates.
Tuesday 18 May 2010, 04:48pm
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!
Carrying a prepaid currency card with you on a trip or vacation overseas is a wise decision. Travel money review shows that prepaid currency cards provides a great way for you to control your spending. Opening a prepaid currency card is similar to managing a checking or savings account. Once money is deposited in your account, you will be given a prepaid currency card and it can be used like a regular credit card, only that it is designed for spending money abroad.
Since your money is being limited on the amount that you deposited on your account, you can't over spend your budget. In addition, there will be no membership charge and no interest charge. Hence, travel money review confirms that prepaid currency cards give you a better deal with your money.
A Close Look into Currency Cards
Prepaid currency cards are quite new but their popularity is rising fast. It is because these cards offer convenience. You won't have to go to the bank or exchange agencies to get money. It is a payment card that can be used to pay hotel bills, services and purchase items. You also get 24 hour access to your cash because it can be used to withdraw cash from ATMs to over 160 countries worldwide.
The Benefits of Currency Cards
Using a prepaid currency card offers the following benefits. First is easy access. You can get a prepaid currency card even if you have been refused for credit cards due to a bad credit rating. You also don't have to worry about paying bills and interest rates. Next is security because a prepaid currency card requires a PIN number before you can withdraw your cash.
Third is budgeting, since you can only use the available money in your account, prepaid currency card is a great way of controlling your spending. Prepaid currency cards can also be used to transfer money abroad. When you are on a trip overseas, you can deposit funds into your prepaid currency account through the internet or telephone in the case of an emergency.
They Also Offer Security
Fortunately, a prepaid currency card is not linked to your bank account which leaves your savings protected. For example, if your card has been used by a thief, the only amount that he can get is the amount available in your prepaid card.
What's more, carrying a card makes your cash less prone from being lost or being stolen. In the case this happens, you can still get your cash with the insurance that is issued by the card provider and you can also report your loss to a customer service hotline of the card provider. The company will cancel all transactions in your account making sure that your money is safe. You can then transfer the balance to a new card.
Prepaid currency cards are a worry free way to spend money on your travels. They have less exchange rate fees, are handy like a debit and credit cards, and you will have full control over the amount you spend.
Get a FairFX card today and take advantage of better holiday money rates.
Thursday 13 May 2010, 04:47pm
If you're taking a trip especially overseas, you're probably aware that you have to exchange your current currency. For example, you can exchange rates for US dollars at a bank, hotel, airport or a high street currency booth. However, the exchange rate for US dollar differs on every establishment you visit and many of them offer high charges on exchange rates.
Instead of exchanging it with establishments that won't give you good rates for your travels, try using a prepaid currency card to exchange your money for US dollars. Prepaid currency cards offer a good exchange rate for US Dollars. It is safe, simple to use and you can save money especially when on a trip overseas.
What are prepaid currency cards?
Prepaid currency cards are cards that can be used to pay for hotels, shopping, eating out or anything else on your trip. It functions similar to other prepaid cards but it is made to work with foreign currencies. It can be loaded with money and a user can use it like a regular debit or credit card. You can even use it to withdraw cash from ATMs and the cards come with many features.
What are the advantages in using this card?
Carrying the card is safer than bringing large sums of cash. It can be used like ordinary cards to make purchases or withdraw money. It provides added security against theft because if the card is stolen, you can easily report it to your service provider and your card can be replaced with a new one with the balance transferred. You can even get your money back provided you have given insurance to cover the cash lost.
Your private accounts are also secure as it is not linked to your personal checking or savings account, protecting you from further damage. It a great way to spend money while on your travels since the fees for the exchange rates are lower and more favourable than the rates given at foreign ATMs or exchange centers. It also gives you control over your money so that you won't be overspending. But there are no tight restrictions either. You can transfer funds at any time with access to the Internet or with a simple phone call.
Taking a vacation aboard can be very demanding. You have to consider many things from your baggage, your schedule, what to do during your trip, to your budget. Your money shouldn't be a pressing concern. You can get the best exchange rate for US dollars by getting a prepaid currency card. These cards also offer security, giving you peace of mind during your vacation.
Apply for a FairFX card today and see how much you could save on on your holiday money
Tuesday 11 May 2010, 03:15pm
Whenever you travel abroad at some point in the proceedings you will need to ensure that you have a means of obtaining travel money, Euros if you are travelling to Europe and Dollars if you are going to America. There are a number of ways of obtaining the currency that you need, what you need to know is how to get a good exchange rate for your money.
Exchange Rates
One of the problems with buying currency from a travel agent is not just the commission that many agents charge, but the fact that you won't necessarily get good exchange rates. The current global financial problems have meant that the exchange rate, never totally reliable, can now change from one hour to the next. If you have paid 90p for a Euro, and the pound goes up against it in the meantime, you will be paying more for your travel money. You may have purchased a mixture of cash and travellers cheques and although it means you aren't walking around with a load of cash, and some hotels and apartment complexes charge a commission for changing your travellers' cheques.
Credit Cards
Credit cards have two things going for them when it comes to purchasing your travel money, you get the exchange rate of the day, and you don't have to carry around a pocketful of Euros everywhere you go. The problem with using a credit card to buy your travel money is that you are charged every time you use an ATM machine and the credit card company will also charge you a premium for taking out cash. If you don't pay your credit card bill in full before the allotted time, then you will be paying interest on all those extra charges, which in real terms means that you got a bad exchange rate.
FairFX Prepaid Card
If you really want to get good exchange rates when you go abroad then the simplest and cheapest way of doing so is with a FairFX prepaid travel money card. Currency cards work in the same way as a prepaid credit card. You put whatever money you have set aside onto the card before you go away and it is ready to use when you reach your destination. The exchange rate that you get with a currency card is better than the deal you would have got from your travel agent, and quite a bit cheaper than using a booth at the airport or on thei high street to change your money, and cheaper than most credit cards. The FairFX currency card is a reusable card and can be loaded up with pounds, euros or dollars. You can buy your card and your currency online, if you wish you can have the money transferred to your foreign currency bank account.
Order your FairFX card today for better rates on holiday money.
Thursday 06 May 2010, 02:17pm
If you are going away on holiday then you will need to organise your travel money. Like most people you will want to get the best value for your money, which means you want to find above average exchange rates if at all possible. There are a number of ways of buying foreign currency, some of them more cost effective than others. Should you use a credit card, buy cash or travellers cheques, or would you get a better rate with a prepaid currency card?
Using a Credit Card
If you don’t want to be walking around with several hundred pounds worth of dollars or euros in your luggage, then you may decide to use your credit card to obtain the currency that you need while you are abroad. The benefit of a credit card is that it allows you take advantage of whatever the exchange rate is on a given day. While credit cards do have some advantages, they may not get you the best exchange rate once you calculate in what it costs you to borrow money on a credit card. Not all credit cards carry the same level of charges, but this can still be an expensive way of buying currency, which is not what you want if you are looking for above average exchange rates. Some credit card companies levy extra charges every time you use an ATM machine when you are abroad.
Cash or Traveller’s Cheques?
A lot of people still tend to buy foreign currency through their travel agent or through the post office. Most travel agents and post offices will charge a small commission on your currency and you won’t necessarily get the best exchange rates from them. Some people like to feel actual foreign money in their pockets when they go away because it makes the experience seem more real. Other people prefer to take a small amount of cash for incidental expenses when they first arrive, and then take the rest of their money in traveller’s cheques. Traveller’s cheques are not one of the best ways to get a decent exchange rate, but you do have the security of knowing that if they are lost or stolen, you can have them replaced.
Prepaid Card
Increasingly travellers are turning to prepaid currency cards as the cheapest way to buy their travel money. Prepaid cards offer a better exchange rate than either banks or the post office and can be a lot more cost effective than traveller’s cheques. The prepaid chip and pin card can be ordered online, you can order your currency at the same time. Prepaid cards have much lower charges than most credit cards and because they are designed for a specific purpose, you will get above average exchange rates on foreign currency. The cards are reusable, and when you want to go away again you just load up the card and you are good to go.
Order your FairFX card today for much better value holiday money on your next trip.
Wednesday 05 May 2010, 12:09pm
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.
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 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.
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.
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
Thanks to the hassle that is involved with trying to cash travelers cheques and the huge fees that are involved with exchanging your homeland currency for currency in other places of the world, more people are searching for reasonable alternatives to getting local currency while on holiday or while taking a business trip. Most people do their research and ultimately decide to buy travel money online.
The ability to buy travel money online is something that is catching on with waves of travelers, though it is not necessarily a brand new idea. This option has been available for awhile, but as more people become comfortable making online transactions and giving their private and financial information through websites, there are more people who are also comfortable enough to buy travel money online.
Why Buy Travel Money Online?
The primary reason that anyone would want to buy travel money online is obviously to save cash, especially if you decide to purchase a reloadable prepaid credit card. The following steps should be taken if you want to purchase your prepaid travel money card online:
1) Do some research to find the lowest currency exchange rate and as few fees possible.
2) Purchase your travel card with a substantial amount of money on the card.
3) Use the card while on holiday or throughout the course of your trip.
How to Purchase Prepaid Travel Cards
This first step is extremely important, though it is the first thing ignored by many people whether they buy travel money online or offline. Many people just take it as a given that they are going to have to pay some fees and a high exchange rate when they are buying holiday cash. What they don't realize is that they can save a substantial amount of cash just by going online and doing a bit of research prior to purchasing their travel money.
If you aren't totally convinced that a prepaid travel money card is the way to go, see what kind of exchange rates you can get through several different card options and compare to the fees and exchange rates being offered through banks. You will see quickly that the travel card is definitely the way to go, even if it's only due to the increased security of having a card which can be replaced with all your money intact in the event it is stolen or lost!
Locking in the Savings
Once you find a prepaid travel card that will give you a competitive exchange rate, go ahead and buy travel money online on that card. You want to put a substantial portion of your travel money on the card since you are locking in that exchange rate at the time you place the money on the card. That means they can't raise the exchange rate on you later on, which is what will likely happen if you run out of money and need to exchange money while on vacation or a trip in another country.
If you put enough money on your prepaid card and use it as often as possible while on your trip you will eliminate the problem of trying to exchange money at a foreign bank. You will also avoid the super high fees that come with using your regular credit and debit cards while out of the country. Finally, you avoid the fees that come with withdrawing money directly from a bank ATM while away from home.
Friday 09 April 2010, 03:45pm
