Are the Post Office's Travel Money Cards worth getting if going to Greece / the EU?

Posted by Philster07@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 26 comments

Hi All, Our family is planning to go to Corfu next month and we are thinking of going with just cash, however, i've got a feeling we may end up in a shop that is card only. We looked at our bank accounts and almost all (except one) has transaction fees in foreign currencies. So i've done some digging online and found this: [https://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-money/card](https://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-money/card) (note other currency cards available) and wondered if anyone had experience with these / if they are worth getting?

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26 Comments

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aLongWayFromOldham@reddit

I’ve used them before, and they are a better alternative to carrying money around. Also as you can top them up whilst you are abroad. Though for the past few years I’ve used Wise. It’s usually a better rate, and I can add the card into my iPhone wallet. There are also alternatives now using current accounts that offer multi-currency. (Which is what my parents use.) They will all work for what you need.

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YOF626@reddit

I use my Starling card when on holiday abroad.

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Resali@reddit

We use our Starling card all over the EU. Couldn’t be happier.

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DarthScabies@reddit

Open a basic account with Monzo. Or if you want free average travel insurance open a max account with monzo

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PipBin@reddit

Just come back from Greece. I used some cash as I always have a stash of Euros at home anyway. But most places too card payments. I use a Barclaycard credit card as there are no transaction fees.

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keatsy3@reddit

Just open an account with Monzo… then you can use your regular debit card anywhere with no extra charge and no faff of pre-loading cash

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MerchantofDoom@reddit

Second that although I use Revolut. Has more currencies than post office and easier to exchange. Just did Cambodia and Singapore and have done Philippines and Europe and no problems whatsoever. After Philippines, I ditched the PO card and app for Revolut, as the PO couldn’t get that currency!

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Winston_Carbuncle@reddit

Second monzo. Have used them all over Europe and South east Asia without issue. Also starling but to a lesser degree

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Fwoggie2@reddit

I hit the EU a few times a year. Those things are almost never worth the hassle imo. Consider your likely spend, convert it into Drachma at whatever your main account charges (ask them if not obvious online) then convert it back at some of the popular currency card rates to see the difference. It's usually not as much as you'd think.

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bobblecarp@reddit

Don’t convert it to drachma unless you’re also time travelling to 2001. Greece uses the Euro ☺️

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Fwoggie2@reddit

Christ I'm old 😂

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slightlyvapid_johnny@reddit

I find it best to use a fee free credit card. There are a few, i.e. Virgin Cards etc.

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First_Folly@reddit

As a former acting postmaster you're probably better off either using cash or other travel ready cards. It's true that traditionally the post office had competitive exchange rates, but unless you exchange a large sum and ask if the rate can be made better you'll likely get a little less for your money. I never got one myself as I prefer cash.

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budapest_budapest@reddit

We have a Mastercard cash passport card. You do have to preload it, but it’s easy to do. You can use Apple Pay in the app. We were doing DKK so it was a bit annoying trying to work out exactly how much to load so we didn’t have any left over. But with Euros at least you don’t have that problem.

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kittykat7931@reddit

I got one for three weeks in Australia - I had a set budget for the trip and didn’t have to worry about additional charges as the money in the cards was in dollars. When I got back and had money left on it, I was able to use up what was left. I looked at Monzo and Revolut but decided against opening another bank account. Revolut was just too confusing for me.

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BerryOk966@reddit

Ive got a Currensea card. Its free, contactless and I get a notification on my phone every time it's used. I really like it

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CrowApprehensive204@reddit

Monzo, seconded, third, fourthed etc. my Monzo is holidays only, I just transfer some money onto it before I go and take some cash as well

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OsitaHunter5168@reddit

Maybe Monzo or Revolut?

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jeminar@reddit

Having had wise for a while, these questions feel like arguments about which dial up Internet provider to choose

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freaking_scared@reddit

Paying in cash in Greece is more prevalent than in the UK. It is good to have cash. In regards to card payments, credit card from your bank should in theory be good enough(this is what I use for travel). I would also recommend looking into revolut which is another great option. I never used the card from post office, but I saw post office rates for cash exchange and they are criminal.

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IcyCaverns@reddit

I've used the post office card twice, in Italy and Spain. Worked great for us

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thebrainitaches@reddit

Honestly I just strongly recommend a wise account. Never have travel money issues again.

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Overall-Error4057@reddit

Probably best opening a Monzo account, a lot lower fees, in my experience- Ive travelled around 29 countries (EU and Asia) in the past 3y with my Monzo and the exchange rate wasnt drastic, I think the rates are on the website

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CouldBeNapping@reddit

Everywhere I went in Greece took card, just used my normal bank card because the rates were fine.

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GoldiBlogs@reddit

I've used a Travelex money card (prepaid Mastercard) for several years now and would recommend that. You can order it to collect from the airport, top it up whilst you're on holiday using the app, and withdraw cash from a cash machine.

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