HEADING abroad this summer? Watch out for sneaky spending fees that can add to the cost of your holiday.
Using a foreign currency can be a minefield of extra charges. Here’s what to look out for . . .
PAY LOCAL: When using your card abroad you may be offered a choice to pay in pounds rather than the local currency.
It might feel counterintuitive, but you should avoid paying in sterling.
You’ll likely get a worse exchange rate than if you pay in the local denomination and rely on the rate set by your card provider.
WITHDRAWAL FEES: Many ATMs charge for withdrawing cash. The fees vary so if you spot one that is particularly steep, check if there is another, cheaper machine nearby.
If you’re a Santander customer, you may be able to use the bank’s ATMs abroad without being charged a fee but check the details.
SPECIALIST CARD: Some debit and credit cards offer fee-free spending and withdrawals abroad.
You can open these accounts alongside your normal debit or credit card and just use them for holiday spending if you wish.
Chase bank and Starling don’t charge for using your debit card abroad or extra foreign exchange fees.
The Barclaycard Rewards card also doesn’t charge fees on spending or ATM withdrawals outside the UK.
The Halifax Clarity card has no charges on overseas spending and taking cash out — though interest is charged on money withdrawals so pay it off as soon as possible.
BEST RATES: If you want to take cash on your holiday, look around for the best exchange rate.
Use a comparison website such as MoneySavingExpert or MoneySuperMarket to find the provider offering the best rate for your currency.
Specialist providers tend to offer more competitive rates. And you’ll nearly always get a terrible rate at the airport so don’t leave it to the last minute.
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