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Just used it on US trip.
Application v easy – 5 mins online, card arrived 2 days later.
Accepted in every single place – about half asked for pin.
Every transaction popped up in pounds seconds later.The one thing I couldn’t do was add it to Uber as my payment card?
Yes, I find it works well.
The Uber issue may be linked to preauthorisations which it can’t handle, as its not a credit card.
Thanks for feedback.
I applied using link in Rob’s recent article in advance of my trip to Australia’s Sunshine Coast next month and process was smooth and efficient.
It’s all just sitting there waiting to be used, and it feels a bit strange not arranging a bit of Forex ahead of an overseas trip.
I signed up last night to the HSBC Global Money Account (I’m already a HSBC account holder for the premier credit card), it was shockingly easy. Opened in 1 minute, debit card on the way…it might be another option for people to consider as it is fee free, and if you already use HSBC it’s a doddle to transfer money to it from your main account.
Thanks for feedback.
I applied using link in Rob’s recent article in advance of my trip to Australia’s Sunshine Coast next month and process was smooth and efficient.
It’s all just sitting there waiting to be used, and it feels a bit strange not arranging a bit of Forex ahead of an overseas trip.
I know what you mean! I did use it a couple of times in the UK first to make sure there was none of that “use it with a pin first to activate it” (there wasn’t), but after that it was just Currensea for every transaction except hotel bills, which were Amex as needed spend, and Amex plat for car hire to include the insurance.
Have a great trip – my family have a house in Nerang so we used to go to that area a lot, but haven’t been for over a decade!
Thanks for feedback.
I applied using link in Rob’s recent article in advance of my trip to Australia’s Sunshine Coast next month and process was smooth and efficient.
It’s all just sitting there waiting to be used, and it feels a bit strange not arranging a bit of Forex ahead of an overseas trip.
I know what you mean! I did use it a couple of times in the UK first to make sure there was none of that “use it with a pin first to activate it” (there wasn’t), but after that it was just Currensea for every transaction except hotel bills, which were Amex as needed spend, and Amex plat for car hire to include the insurance.
Have a great trip – my family have a house in Nerang so we used to go to that area a lot, but haven’t been for over a decade!
Thanks @Michael C, first ever trip to Oz, so very much looking forward to it.
I always make a small airside purchase (H2O or mints etc) at UK departure airport on each of the cards I intend using overseas, in lieu of a formal notification of intention to travel abroad. Don’t know how fool-proof it is, but haven’t ever yet had a card declined or flagged for potential fraud even in a few dodgy destinations.
I didnt mind Currensea. Just found a payment on day 1 would be debited from my debit card in day 4-5. Topping up Chase or Starling is marginally more time consuming but safer as you can only withdraw whats on the card, whereas Currensea doesnt have that buffer (i believe Im right in saying)>
It’s all just sitting there waiting to be used, and it feels a bit strange not arranging a bit of Forex ahead of an overseas trip.
Always have a plan B.
I didnt mind Currensea. Just found a payment on day 1 would be debited from my debit card in day 4-5. Topping up Chase or Starling is marginally more time consuming but safer as you can only withdraw whats on the card, whereas Currensea doesnt have that buffer (i believe Im right in saying)>
Correct. Wouldn’t say Starling or chase takes more time. All these options, including Currensea, only work if you have sufficient balance and you’ll have to check your accounts once a day at a minimum.
I didnt mind Currensea. Topping up Chase or Starling is marginally more time consuming but safer as you can only withdraw whats on the card, whereas Currensea doesnt have that buffer (i believe Im right in saying)>
The Currensea App allows you to set purchase limits that flexibly mimic any fixed balance top-up on alternative cards.
Currensea is a very useful product to have if you have multiple current accounts and are running short of the necessary direct debits to qualify for rewards or free banking.
Thanks for feedback.
I applied using link in Rob’s recent article in advance of my trip to Australia’s Sunshine Coast next month and process was smooth and efficient.
It’s all just sitting there waiting to be used, and it feels a bit strange not arranging a bit of Forex ahead of an overseas trip.
Could be worth thinking of Curve Black for a month…or two. And thinking of Oz, maybe worth thinking of one of O2’s sim contracts that includes free roaming and data in Oz and NZ…worked extremely well for us. Also, certain eSim’s are excellent for tons of data. My s22 is loaded up with 5, plus 2 regular sims. Be aware Oz is not ‘cheap’ !
Thanks for feedback.
I applied using link in Rob’s recent article in advance of my trip to Australia’s Sunshine Coast next month and process was smooth and efficient.
It’s all just sitting there waiting to be used, and it feels a bit strange not arranging a bit of Forex ahead of an overseas trip.
Could be worth thinking of Curve Black for a month…or two. And thinking of Oz, maybe worth thinking of one of O2’s sim contracts that includes free roaming and data in Oz and NZ…worked extremely well for us. Also, certain eSim’s are excellent for tons of data. My s22 is loaded up with 5, plus 2 regular sims. Be aware Oz is not ‘cheap’ !
Thanks, @Mikeact
1) I’ve been put off Curve by the recent IHG Creation saga (plus other comments questioning Curve’s continued value) and am glad that I’ve never signed up, so not minded to do so now, thanks.
2) Introduced my wife (who is the “tech savvy” one in our relationship) to eSim (courtesy of and accolades to HfP community), and looks like she’s found a good deal that will set each of us up with calls and data on her Android and my iPhone for less than the cost of half a cup of coffee a day, thanks.
3) I don’t think anywhere is “cheap” anymore these days, certainly not like it might have been in a pre-Brexit, pre-pandemic, pre-Ukraine war world. In my case, it’ll either be a relatively cheap overseas holiday (my brother has a separate “granny flat” set up for our exclusive use in his expansive home, and has taken leave from work to drive us around in his car) or doubly expensive if I have to bail and book hired car and hotel accommodation at last minute (my SIL is a somewhat insecure, insular, Putin-sympathising individual who will test my diplomacy and my obligation to respect that my brother is committed to building a life with her despite her isolating influence on him).
It promises to be an interesting experience all round.
Personally I would prefer to use the Barclaycard Rewards credit card.
Personally I would prefer to use the Barclaycard Rewards credit card.
Blocks you from a 50,000 Avios sign-up bonus on the Avios Plus card though ….
That’s fine. I don’t want it. Happy with my Hilton card, thanks.
Luckily I’ve been sat on the useless Platinum card since the end of the Barclays/IHG relationship and just applied to swap it for the Rewards card earlier this week, which will be slightly more useful to me moving forward than the Platinum card.
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