Taking money abroad

Thank you all for your help. I already have credit cards and a debit card with my bank, but just wanted to "load" Australian dollars on to a travel card in advance to take advantage of the rate of exchange. However, I will have a good trawl through the money advice sites and make sure cards are accepted. I also understand credit and debit cards charge a small percentage for changing into the local currency. Taking more than £7000 is, sadly not likely in my case - more like 700! I'll also look at the Saga card, which sounds a good buy. Thank you again. Now feet are getting warmer, telephone calls from family in Australia sound so excited that we are coming, and have great plans for our stay.

dahlia - we haven't used one of those cards yet but DH has got one for this year as our daughter used one abroad last year and she said it was great.

I use a Zero card for purchases and a Clarity card to withdraw cash. I always pay off the full amount but I do have extra cards for DH. Also I watch when the bill comes in case I'm still away . Loathe more than anything paying interest on credit cards.

jeannie as I understand, you can take as much cash as you like out of the country but if it's over £7000 you have to declare it. Not that I would be in that position!

And don't forget to let your credit card company know where you are going. Some need this info and some don't but best to check rather than the card being refused.

We use Saga CC you can withdraw cash with it and do not pay interest if you pay it off in full each month. Only available to the over 55s.

Always check the DC and CC rates for each bank before traveling as the withdrawal costs can be high with the wrong card. Fee plus a %.

With regard to the loaded cards you need to be sure the countries you are traveling in will accept them, some don't.

Always take two cards with you for different accounts as the cards can stop working for no apparent reason.

If you are traveling with cash there is a maximum amount you are allowed to take out of the UK I think it is £7000.

If you are traveling with large amounts of cash use a money belt under your clothes. You'll be stopped and frisked going through airport control it's just a security measure and nothing to worry about.

We use the SAGA credit card abroad. No extra charges if you pay the bill in full and a good exchange rate. One of the advantages of age!

I have a foreign exchange card. Money expert will give you a range of them. I have a sterling currency one that I can use in any ATM anywhere in the world. You load it initially online but then top up by text. Other companies have Euro and US dolled ones but the sterling ones are best in my opinion. Mine also let you have a spare so if one is lost or stolen the money is transferred to the other one.
If you PM me I will give you the name of the company my DH and I use. Never had any problems with them anywhere,

We used those cards when we went to Australia, got ours from Asda.
They were very useful, you use them for paying just like a debit card with a PIN. Only found one place that wouldn't accept it in the 3 week holiday. You can get cash from an ATM as well.
About to go to Canada and will get these cards again.
We got the cash back that we hadn't used after the holiday and closed the card. Otherwise I think charges might accrue.

I always take cash money + two bank cards for backup, when I go to the States.

Take a Post Office credit card. Gives a very good rate of exchange and is commission free for purchases. I try not to use any card for getting cash abroad. I know of the card you are thinking of and although I have never used one I think they are a good idea. No doubt someone will be along soon who have more knowledge of them
Do your family have bank accounts in the UK ? Mine do for when they come here so when I go to China DD gives me cash and I pay the equivalent amount into her account here when I get home.
Whatever you decide to do have a lovely holiday and get your feet warmed up soon - makes looking forward to it so much easier!