Can You Use Any Preloaded Card for Travel

Prepaid travel card deals

What is a prepaid travel card?

A prepaid travel carte, also known equally a travel money card, is a debit card that you preload with money and take on holiday. It's a good way to avoid carrying a lot of greenbacks.

Information technology can be used at cashpoints, in shops and restaurants, or anywhere that accepts MasterCard or Visa debit or credit cards.

A prepaid travel card is not the same as a credit carte du jour, for two key reasons:

The pre-loaded limit prevents you from accidentally overspending and getting into debt
You tin can cull which currency you preload your travel money card with, depending on where you're going, which often means you can secure a amend exchange rate

You lot besides get the aforementioned benefits equally any other prepaid bill of fare, such as protection if it is lost, the chance to upkeep your spending, and an piece of cake awarding procedure.

Who can get a prepaid travel card?

Anyone can get a prepaid travel card. There's no need to accept a bank business relationship and no credit checks are required.

Sometimes parents like to go them for their children's holiday money, as it can assistance teach them most budgets and responsibility. Teenagers can besides employ for one themselves.

Types of prepaid travel carte du jour

You tin can choose from two prepaid travel card options, depending on the extent of your trip abroad.

Single-currency prepaid travel cards

These prepaid cards for travel permit you preload ane currency. For case, you might go a prepaid euro bill of fare or a prepaid US dollar menu , depending on where you're going.

Multi-currency pre-loaded travel cards

These pre-loaded travel cards can agree several different currencies. If you're visiting several countries, this could offering a better deal on currency conversions and commutation rates.

Topping up your prepaid card graph

What does a prepaid travel bill of fare price?

One time you've institute the best type of travel card for your needs, it's time to find the cheapest option. Base your choice on whichever suits you best after comparison the fees for:

ownership the card
keeping your account open (paid monthly or annually)
cash machine withdrawals
spending on the card
adding coin to the card

The graph to the correct shows the deviation in bill of fare balances when adding £ten to a prepaid carte du jour each week for a twelvemonth. The top line represents transfers with no transaction fee, and the bottom represents a £1.50 fee.

A £1.50 fee might seem small initially, merely if you're saving gradually and regularly it can have a big impact on the amount of money you're able to spend. Think nearly how you plan to superlative up and spend, then select the menu that all-time suits your habits.

Checking the exchange rate on your prepaid travel carte du jour

When you load money onto your international prepaid card, information technology's converted discipline to the issuer'south exchange rate.

For example, if your bank account is in pounds sterling and y'all're adding money to a prepaid euro card, y'all'll pay the pounds-to-euros exchange rate.

Here'due south how substitution rates work on prepaid travel cards , and how much it can cost.

Currency	Substitution rate	Spending coin from £one,500
Euros (€)	1.1	€i.650
Euros (€)	1.two	€1,800
US Dollars ($)	1.3	$one,950
U.s.a. Dollars ($)	ane.4	$two,100
US Dollars ($)	1.v	$two,250

Finding the best exchange rate

The exchange rate profoundly impacts the amount of local currency y'all'll become, and thus how much is available to spend.

Even if you pay for something by credit bill of fare, you lot're notwithstanding converting pounds sterling to local currency. With a prepaid travel card that exchanges your money in ane lump sum, yous are at least aware of the exchange rate beforehand.

This table shows how even a seemingly minor shift in the substitution rate tin increase or decrease your vacation upkeep. When applying for a prepaid travel card, expect for the best substitution rate possible to maximise your funds.

The advantages and disadvantages of a prepaid travel bill of fare

Pros

They're safer than carrying cash or leaving money in your hotel room or flat
Your coin's safe if your carte is lost or stolen – your provider can cancel it, and you might be able to get it replaced rapidly
Budgeting is easier because in that location's no credit facility
They can sometimes be the cheapest option
Prepaid cards are accepted in about shops, restaurants and bars around the world

Cons

Application fees
Monthly fees
Charges to load money
Fees to withdraw cash
Fees on spending
Fees for not using your menu

What are the alternatives to a travel money menu?

Prepaid travel cards aren't e'er the best option, and there are several other ways to spend coin abroad, each with their ain pros and cons:

A prepaid credit carte du jour for travel works merely like a regular credit card, just doesn't charge large fees for spending away
Travel coin leads to fewer fees, but it can exist risky. You lot'll demand to budget advisedly to ensure your foreign currency lasts the length of your trip and you lot're non protected if information technology's lost or stolen
Travellers' cheques let y'all to behave less cash. They can be bought in the UK and converted into strange currency once yous're abroad

For many, however, prepaid travel cards are the best way to carry local currency when abroad.

Here's how to work out the cheapest manner to spend away.

Note: travel prepaid cards aren't credit cards. That means that prepaid cards aren't covered past the consumer protection law, Section 75, which offers you extra protection for your buy if something goes wrong, such every bit faulty appurtenances or lost packages. They're also non protected under the Financial Services Bounty Scheme (FSCS)¹.

In addition, they tin't be used everywhere (some places may but have cash, for case), and you tin can't use one to borrow money.

"Prepaid cards can be a not bad tool to go on your spending in check, build your credit score or learn how to upkeep.

"But certain features, peculiarly access to credit, might make a credit card or electric current account a better option."

Tin can I top up a prepaid travel card while I'm away?

Some prepaid travel cards allow you to top up while you're abroad via text, an online site or an app. You may exist able to use your debit or credit card to tiptop upwardly, as well. You can sometimes exercise it by phone just be aware of international call charges.

Some prepaid travel cards fifty-fifty allow yous to have your bacon paid directly onto them, which is a guaranteed fashion to become a top-up if it's pay day while you're away.

Volition I have to remember a Pin?

Yes, near prepaid travel cards are fleck and Pivot. Nonetheless, some now support contactless, so you may not need a PIN for smaller purchases.

Fugitive card fees

Standard prepaid cards usually charge extra if y'all utilize them outside the UK, but the best international travel cards don't charge these fees.

Our comparison covers cards that are gratuitous to use exterior the United kingdom. If they're not free, the comparison table shows how much each bill of fare charges for foreign transactions and greenbacks withdrawals.

When you lot're researching prepaid cards to use abroad, choose a card with fees that suit how you plan to use information technology. For example, if you'll be withdrawing cash often while travelling, choice ane with no withdrawal fees.

Prepaid travel cards FAQs

Should you lot get a prepaid carte?

Prepaid cards come with several pros and cons, but they could be the all-time fashion of spending for you. Here is how to work out if yous should get a prepaid menu.

What are prepaid cards?

You tin can use a prepaid card to buy things online or in person, and yous could get i without a credit cheque. Hither is how they piece of work and how to become one.

Why compare prepaid bill of fare deals with money.co.uk?

Comparing prepaid cards could save you lot money. Our multiple honor-winning comparison service makes sure you get the lowest fees and rates possible based on your individual circumstances. Our aim is to provide y'all with the nigh up-to-date information, likewise equally useful tools and calculators so to help you make life's most of import decisions and take control of your money.

Proud to exist award winning

Nosotros accept always aimed to provide the best possible services to bridge the gap between our users and our clients. Over the years, nosotros have been thrilled to be recognised past various prestigious bodies and organisations for those efforts.

¹To find out more most how the Financial Services Conduct Authority protects your money, visit FSCS.org.uk .

Last updated:23 Feb 2022