Talk Quesada forum

Chrisdee wrote:You can use cash in any shop, they just prefer you to use a card

True, but in your own best interests not to use cash as it can be handled mulitple times a day by different people without any sterilisation and it invariably comes into contact with other cash handled by many more people . . .

I just realised I haven't used any cash at all since early March myself . .

If you will be using a Sterling Credit Card then I second the recommendations for the Santander Zero card which I use myself - it really gives the professional FX market mid-rate with no % fee adjustment (many others do not) - by reputation certain Halifax cards are also good - AS LONG AS YOU CLEAR THE BALANCE ON THE CARD EVERY MONTH - I use it for all daily Euro transaction (as a cash equivalent) and clear the Sterling balance every month.

In tens of Euros or Pounds it makes little difference for individual transactions but for the the whole months expenditure or major transactions it does add up.

The staff of many card issuers say that their card uses the "professional rate" and, by that, they mean the Visa or Mastercard rate for that day (those are published and available) with a percentage adjustment (often that is between 1.5% and 2.5% and, sometimes, the staff do not realise the difference themselves).

Not (hopefully) to labour the point but there is a major card for which a € Euro spend billed to a sterling card can go though a (theoretical accounting) conversion into (and then out of) US$ to fix the billed £ amount - but I suppose that Membership Has Its Privileges and you Don’t Leave Home Without It.

Swings and roundabouts but I found the Zero card cheaper than the pre-pay cards over time. (Unless your an extremely good FX trader who can always outguess the market )

Thank u to everyone who has responded to my post I will look into everything suggested. Thanks again.

TonTri wrote:

jpeg wrote:I use Transferwise Borderless account card I just transfer money to it from my UK bank then just use the card as normal in Euros you can have various options of currencies
You can also setup Direct Debits with the account


https://transferwise.com/u/a122

Just had a look at the link, very interesting. I use Transferwise to send money to my Sabadell account every now and then, but I didn't know they did a debit card. I think I'll get one to keep alongside my Clarity card. Thanks jpeg

TonTri
Did you also pick up what jpeg said about Transferwise supporting direct debits ? I have moved mine to Transferwise....no more bank charges.

Hi Kenbo. No I hadn't actually. I'll look at that later in the year, I need to keep my Sabadell account for now as I'm applying for residencia in a few months time so need to prove income. Thanks though, will be useful.

Have been through loads of different options for cash to card. My view is that 'transferwise' is the easiest and best to use.