using credit/debit cards on hol instead of taking euros??

[scoobynewby]

Every year before we go on holiday we always go through the same routine of having to find the best euro deal, how much cash travellers cheques to take ect??

This year i was just thinking of taking my debit/credit cards way with me and using as i would at home.

Anyone know what the advantages/disadvantages of doing this would have?? If i use a cash machine in ibiza to draw out cash will i get a poor echange rate?? I'm with nation wide who don't charge for using cash machines abroad.

Any advise would be help full

Cheers ...Going 27th august.

 

[Barbie]

I find taking a bit of cash changed into euros and then withdrawing money out over there (well not me, my Keeper, I'm not allowed responsibilities like that ) works best for us. We always puts meals etc on credit cards as well.

 

[j_love01]

http://www.ibiza-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=35208&highlight=

You might want to check that post out.

 

[kes]

let your bank know you're going overseas. Withdrawing cash charges so take out max everytime which i think is 200 euros and stick what you can on credit/debit card

 

[Scoobie]

let your bank know you're going overseas. Withdrawing cash charges so take out max everytime which i think is 200 euros and stick what you can on credit/debit card

he said his bank doesn't charge him

I always use the cash points in Ibiza. Only problem I have found is that, particularly towards the end of the weekend, a lot of them run out of cash. - I know this can happen in other places besides Ibiza but it can lead to a bit of a panic when you're on your way to Space, you only have 20 euros in your pocket, and every cashpoint for 5 km has nothing in it.

 

[Morbyd]

let your bank know you're going overseas. Withdrawing cash charges so take out max everytime which i think is 200 euros and stick what you can on credit/debit card

300 euros max.

Definitely charge meals and purchases and take cash out of the machine for boozing and clubbing. It's worked for me 5 years in a row.

 

[Morbyd]

http://www.ibiza-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=35208&highlight=

You might want to check that post out.

By the way, regarding what we discussed in that other thread, I've figured out what's up with MBNA.

Visa and Mastercard used to include a 1% fee for foreign currency transactions outside your home country. You wouldn't notice. It was just included in the charge as if you just got a crap exchange rate.

Now, they don't charge you (at least, not to US banks). Instead, they pass that cost on to the banks. That's why MBNA has started charging a 1% foreign transaction fee.

They insist you've been paying it all along... the difference is just that now you see it as a line item.

 

[j_love01]

http://www.ibiza-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=35208&highlight=

You might want to check that post out.

By the way, regarding what we discussed in that other thread, I've figured out what's up with MBNA.

Visa and Mastercard used to include a 1% fee for foreign currency transactions outside your home country. You wouldn't notice. It was just included in the charge as if you just got a crap exchange rate.

Now, they don't charge you (at least, not to US banks). Instead, they pass that cost on to the banks. That's why MBNA has started charging a 1% foreign transaction fee.

They insist you've been paying it all along... the difference is just that now you see it as a line item.

So, if you bought a $100 item in Ibiza it would end up on your credit card as $100 + $1 line item (1%) instead of $101 like it used to be?

 

[zaax]

Visa and Mastercard used to include a 1% fee for foreign currency transactions outside your home country. You wouldn't notice. It was just included in the charge as if you just got a crap exchange rate.

...snip...

So, if you bought a $100 item in Ibiza it would end up on your credit card as $100 + $1 line item (1%) instead of $101 like it used to be?

Thats 2% for UK banks including getting cash from the post office before you go

 

[zaax]

Visa and Mastercard used to include a 1% fee for foreign currency transactions outside your home country. You wouldn't notice. It was just included in the charge as if you just got a crap exchange rate.

...snip...

So, if you bought a $100 item in Ibiza it would end up on your credit card as $100 + $1 line item (1%) instead of $101 like it used to be?

Thats 2% for UK banks including getting cash from the post office before you go

 

[Clara]

I always use the cash points in Ibiza. Only problem I have found is that, particularly towards the end of the weekend, a lot of them run out of cash. - I know this can happen in other places besides Ibiza but it can lead to a bit of a panic when you're on your way to Space, you only have 20 euros in your pocket, and every cashpoint for 5 km has nothing in it.

For the WLS Opening, all the cash-machines in PDB had run out.

 

[scoobynewby]

I think i will just stick to taking tavellers cheques and euros as usuall. I think it will be a lot easier that way, at least i will know what i have to spend.

 

[Morbyd]

So, if you bought a $100 item in Ibiza it would end up on your credit card as $100 + $1 line item (1%) instead of $101 like it used to be?

More like, if you bought an 83 euro item, but yes, exactly

For the WLS Opening, all the cash-machines in PDB had run out.

Not true. I hit the machine over by the bowling alley. No problems.

I think i will just stick to taking tavellers cheques and euros as usuall. I think it will be a lot easier that way, at least i will know what i have to spend.

Bad plan. All losable, and harder to budget. If you're pulling out money from the machine on schedule every couple of days, you're less likely to go over budget and if you've got a wad of cash in your wallet. Also, you'll pay as much if not more in travellers check commissions as you will with the cards.

I had 4 cards with me (2 credit, 2 debit) and left 2 in the hotel in case of loss/theft. The system works.

 

[Raze]

Hi,

I am going to Ibiza at the end of this month and im planning on taking a cash card instead of travellers checks/cash.

Was just wondering if someone could help me with a few locations of cash machines

I dont want to have to walk for miles everyday just to get money!!

I am staying at the Hotel Pacific, so if anyone could point out any cash machines that are near by, i would be grateful



Thanks

 

[N8]

Note to UK HSBC bank customers - If you upgrade to a HSBC Premier account then all foreign currency transactions are FREE and you get load of other good features too

 

[CraigyB]

I was advised on here last year to open a Nationwide account and did. It saved me a fortune last year.

Nationwide do not charge you for withdrawing abroad, you get the exchange rate of the day you withdraw.

 

[Raze]

Hi,

I am going to Ibiza at the end of this month and im planning on taking a cash card instead of travellers checks/cash.

Was just wondering if someone could help me with a few locations of cash machines

I dont want to have to walk for miles everyday just to get money!!

I am staying at the Hotel Pacific, so if anyone could point out any cash machines that are near by, i would be grateful



Thanks

Can anyone help with this?

 

[Morbyd]

Hi,

I am going to Ibiza at the end of this month and im planning on taking a cash card instead of travellers checks/cash.

Was just wondering if someone could help me with a few locations of cash machines

I dont want to have to walk for miles everyday just to get money!!

I am staying at the Hotel Pacific, so if anyone could point out any cash machines that are near by, i would be grateful



Thanks

Can anyone help with this?

The Hotel Pacific is in San An, if I understand correctly. I seem to remember a machine on the boardwalk just past Bar M heading back towards the San An bay area. There's also a couple along the street heading from the center to Cafe Mambo on the sunset strip.

I'm sure there's others in the West End area right nearby you. Don't worry... I've never had a problem finding a bank machine within 5 minutes in Ibiza.