Paying for things in France and Italy.

[Wellington]

I presume one no longer carries travellers cheques (can you even still get them?) so how do you keep your money secure and accessible in the road? We are going to France and Italy and do not intend to visit many towns, just villages and small sites. Will I be able to pay in most restaurants, bakeries and so on by card, or should I plan to use mostly cash and find some good hiding places? Which cards or bank accounts are good deals for spending Euros?

 

[klaatu]

You'll need a coin to release a Supermarche trolley for shopping

Or go to the Acceuil and they'll give you a plastic coin substitute for free

 

[carolyn]

Too much faffing about to save the odd euro or two if you're only on holiday for a week or two.

I agree but the days of only going on holiday for a week or two are long gone. I spend weeks away at a time and having fee free cards saves a fortune. Revolut is just one of a number of cards I use.

 

[Khizzie]

I agree but the days of only going on holiday for a week or two are long gone. I spend weeks away at a time and having fee free cards saves a fortune. Revolut is just one of a number of cards I use.

I understand the use if holidaying long time. However my clarity card is the only card I need in France and I I am here over a 120days à year. Clarity card gives me no fees, spot rate on everything I buy, its accepted everywhere and I don't have to tie up any hard earned cash...

 

[autorouter]

The cheating, useless Europeans haven’t messed it up yet

Let me guess - wherever you go in Europe, for some reason they are always rude to you?

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[Chris]

Let me guess - wherever you go in Europe, for some reason they are always rude to you?

Why do you think that?

 

[keithchesterfield2]

Why do you think that?

I have problems with the French - they don't understand what I say and the louder I shout at them the less they seem to understand - Johnny Foreigners......

 

[Vipar]

I use clarity card (Halifax) for years and always ask to pay in local currency the next you get that days rate found it was more expensive pay I bought sterling on card. I take £100 if I want more cash get it from a bank that has a new inside atm no chance of the scammers doctoring this her atm. Happy holiday. Left Barclay’s years ago they are for business users only in my opinion

 

[Vipar]

OOps should have proof read before posting sure you understand it anyway that’s part of the fum???

 

[mikebeaches]

I don't think anybody has mentioned the Tandem cash-back credit card, with net interbank rates on all overseas purchases. And it's not linked to a current account, so anybody can apply. We use ours for everything we can when abroad - which is the majority of spending for us. Only take a modest amount of cash.

The credit card can be ordered online and delivered fairly quickly, if credit score OK (I know you said that could be an issue thanks to Barclays, but still worth a try).

A feature we particularly like is the instant notification of each transaction on the phone, including the conversion to Sterling cost at the time of use. And of course the 0.5% cash-back on all spending, with no restriction or limits.

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[carolyn]

I don't think anybody has mentioned the Tandem cash-back credit card, with net interbank rates on all overseas purchases. And it's not linked to a current account, so anybody can apply. We use ours for everything we can when abroad - which is the majority of spending for us. Only take a modest amount of cash.

The credit card can be ordered online and delivered fairly quickly, if credit score OK (I know you said that could be an issue thanks to Barclays, but still worth a try).

A feature we particularly like is the instant notification of each transaction on the phone, including the conversion to Sterling cost at the time of use. And of course the 0.5% cash-back on all spending, with no restriction or limits.

I have the Tandem card as well, I just can't help myself and use it quite a bit in the UK because of the 0.5% cash back.

 

[Easyliving]

We use a Caxton card and it’s great. The other day I bought some tram tickets with my bank debit card. Tram tickets were only €6.70 but the bank added a £1.25 charge!

Paul

 

[mikebeaches]

We use a Caxton card and it’s great. The other day I bought some tram tickets with my bank debit card. Tram tickets were only €6.70 but the bank added a £1.25 charge!

Paul

Not good!

 

[MR. FUSION]

I carried up to 6K in euros around in my security pouch during our 2016 european trip. The secret to carrying lots of cash around is to look like you are worth €1.......