Which Card is Best to Use Abroad – Prepaid, Credit or Debit?
None of us plan to lose a significant portion of our holiday money to fees. How do you avoid rip-offs when planning a trip overseas? Should you use credit, debit or prepaid cards when going abroad? In a nutshell – prepaid cards are the way to go and here we explain all the benefits of using one.
Travel Fees
Whenever you are travelling in a foreign country and pay using a credit or debit card, you give away a certain amount of your money to the foreign transaction fees. If you are not careful, these transaction fees (each around 3%) can add up and eat up your cash in the blink of an eye.
Conversion rates can either double your money or cut it in half, depending on where you travel. What’s the point in creating a budget if you are going to lose a large percentage of it to conversion fees? The choice of card you use abroad determines whether you lose money or get the most out of it.
Pros and Cons of Using Credit and Debit Cards Abroad
If you have any doubts about whether you should use credit or debit cards when travelling overseas, check out the pros and cons of each.
Debit cards
✓ You can withdraw money at ATM machines.✓ You can use cash and control what you are spending.
✕ Using ATM machines incurs a 3% fee per withdrawal.
✕ However, debit cards are relatively easy to hack and, if you don’t have a backup card, you could end up broke on your vacation.
Why Prepaid Travel Cards Make the Best Choice When Travelling Abroad?
Prepaid cards combine all of the positive features of credit and debit cards, eliminate the negative ones, and even offer a couple of extras. You can load the desired amount of money on it and control the amount you are spending, which means you are free of debt.
If your card gets stolen, there is no way your other accounts can be accessed, as there is no link between a prepaid card and other accounts.
The Ace-FX prepaid card charges lower fees and ensures award-winning exchange rates so you won’t be losing your hard-earned money. With credit and debit cards, you can’t avoid the volatile exchange rate. But with our prepaid card, you can lock in your rates when the pound is doing well and avoid rate hikes.
Speaking of extras, you can load multiple currencies to your prepaid card and then use it when at home the same way you do when you are travelling. If you still prefer cash, we offer a travel money home delivery service in London. Place your order online and have it delivered to your door within 48 hours.
Summary
Debit and credit cards simply don’t give you the level of security, flexibility and versatility that prepaid cards do. If you want to make your trips easier and find out more about our prepaid cards, make sure to contact us today.
