sorry... another spending money thread!

[Milpston]

So we are family of 5 including DD 16, DD3, DS1 going for three weeks in October (one week on site).

Back in 1999 when I went on my first holiday without parents I took travellers cheques. Every single holiday I have ever been on since I have just taken cash. I have never had any problems doing this but the more I read the more I am being talked into being sensible!

This time I was thinking of taking half spends in cash and taking my Halifax clarity card for the rest and paying off in full on return (or as we go along).

I'm now thinking on moving into the 21st century and getting a Starling Bank account and taking minimal cash... way out of my comfort zone

Some questions if you could help:-

1) Is it ok to open a Starling account and then do nothing with it until the holiday?
2) Am I right in thinking we could withdraw upto £300 a day in cash with no fees? (wawa or other not charging ATM)
3) Is there anything you would always use cash for? thinking of card cloning concerns etc.
4) Are there any places that do not accept cards which I would need cash for?
5) Is there any advantage of clarity v Starling or vice versa that I haven't thought of? Any problems with either that I need to be aware of?

Initially I was thinking of just the clarity card but am concerned re a card getting stopped by the banks (it happened to family members when in Aus) so would like to have at least two options before having to use my every day cards which would charge me fees.


Thank you for any help... need to finalise these plans now the saving is complete

[SquishTheWhale]

If you tell your credit card company you are travelling they shouldn't stop the card. Worst comes to it just ring them and they will unblock it.

I'd just stick with your original plan, why complicate things? I always take a few $100 in cash for tips and small purchases.

[marialouise]

yeah we used our Halifax clarity card. that's so much easier and straight forward.

we called and told them we were going away and that was that.

took some cash too. generally used the card in supermarkets or malls and cash for random stuff here and there.

[Guest]

Halifax Clarity, The Post Office Card, Fair FX and some cash are going with us this year lol

[suecee]

We took a mix of cash, revolut & credit card.

Regularly topped up the revolut just in case it got lost, kept a couple hundred £ on it.

We took about $1500 in cash, stashed in various places. So mostly used cash & revolut. Prefer to tip in cash. I know some people will think it is a lot of cash but that is what we prefer to do.

The great thing about the revolut card is that you know almost instantly what has been used so if someone does swipe your card you'll know as soon as they use it - presumably the same for cloning. Also a great way for me to track how much star wars merch the hubby is buying

I bought some little wallets to protect my cards from cloning whilst in my wallet, only a few pound. I know it is rare but it's a small amount to outlay for peace of mind.

[Licoricelover]

We also take half in cash and use a revolut and fair fx card as well. (only use the Fairfx if we have problems with revolut)
Always taken about $1500 cash for two of us. Love the revolut as can see instantly what the rate is. Keep some sterling on it as well so can change to dollars instantly if required or if rate is good. Also tell credit card company when we go.

[ems35]

Hi

Ive opened a starling account purely for holidays so havent done anything with it yet i also have a monzo account which is similar i liked that they dont charge you a transaction fee

we do take mostly cash though as just find it easier

Em

[lossieglen]

Prepaid cards for all four of us. Kids aged 13 and will have own prepaid card. All can be monitored via the app.

Post office credit card as a back up.

Cash for all the little things in life.

Enjoy.

[Belle1989]

We have used our clarify cards all over the world and never had any issues, so we just rely on them and take no cash

[Jendita]

We take a Caxton card and some cash that will last a few days, then normally withdraw cash daily for use rather than use the card. Makes me feel a teeny bit safer on the card cloning front.