Tesco Travel Money Card

[Greg_H]

Hi,

Off to WDW in a few weeks and we are trying to work out how much cash we will need, anybody roughly know what a family of 4 should be budgeting?

Also should we take travellers cheques or possibly a cash card like the TESCO Money Card which is a MasterCard.

Never used anything like this before, will we have any problems using it in Orlando?

Thanks in advance

Greg

[ELAINE]

http://www.attraction-tickets-direct.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=8696&highlight=tesco

The above thread talks about the various cards. I think the general concensus is that Fairfax is the best (just an opinioin:))
(i thought that Tesco had stopped doing them... i had looked at it and by the time i finally made a decision they no-longer seemed to be available?)

[Tiggers Friend]

Hi GregH, I think the budget question is difficult to answer as it does depend on what you plan to do. Assumming you've got your tickets and car hire sorted it's down to food, incidentals, minor entrance fees and shopping.

There are only two of us travelling now, but I took around £2,200 and brought back £500 - £600 this year, albeit did put some expenditure on a CC. Those with families may be able to help better.

With regard to what to take, I take some cash, Travellers Cheques (split between my DW and me for some added security) and two FairFx cards (again one for DW and one for me). If you lose one card you can transfer the funds onto the other card (instructions on web site).

[pauljh]

hi we will be taking just over $3,000 for 2 adults and 2 children when we go in sept:happy-thumb

[Greg_H]

Hi,

Just looked at the FairFX one and it is a good rate abourt 1.6, but it takes 7-10 days to get here and as we're off a week Friday might be cutting it a bit fine. I have just checked with my local TESCO Extra store, and they have them at the travel bureau all ready to go in sealed envelopes with pin number. So pop down there, load one up and walk away with it, then change the pin via the net when you get home. Currently offering 1.575 plus clubcard points. So I might pop down there later this week and get one.

The assistant said to get one of these instead of T, Cheques as they are trying to phase these out and it is much more convienient.

Still trying to work out how much money to take though.

Will be self catering so need money for food and going out and some shopping, but will probably put big items of shopping on the CC, only 1.5%.

Greg

[ELAINE]

It is difficult to know how much you will need because there are such a variety of places (at a variety of prices) to choose from.... the 4 of us ate at CICI's pizza buffet for something ridiculous like $30 or you could be spending considerably more at some places or even less if you have cooking facilities and self cater some days ( food is really cheap when you compare prices to those at home) I can't remember exactly but i think we (2 adults and 2 hungry teens) spent about £3000 last year but we did do enough shopping to need an extra case!!

[ELAINE]

Sorry Greg must've been typing at the same time. We were amazed at the cost of food in Publix so you should be able to eat for a lot less than at home if you are planning on cooking.:happy-thumb:happy-thumb

[ELAINE]

I am confused about tesco's card though... i was going to get mine on-line but their web site states;
"The Tesco Travel Money Card is no longer available to new customers. Existing customers can continue to service their card in the usual way."
maybe its only available in store now???

[Tiggers Friend]

The assistant said to get one of these instead of T, Cheques as they are trying to phase these out and it is much more convienient.


I don't agree with this statement and I think the assistant is very wrong to say that. TCs are still are very good way to take money abroad, especially the US where they can be used as money, ie use them in shops and restaurants and get change.

There was a piece on the TV and in the papers yesterday that said that as banks are clamping down on foreign transactions on cards and the TC is becoming more popular.

The potential downside is the exchange rate, which may not be as good as a card, but as with all things shop around.

[Greg_H]

Hi All,

Just to finish off this post, I popped to my local TESCo last night, and got our dollars and a money card straight from the kiosk. We were issued two cards which are linked, just like a second cardholder on a credit card. They even upped the rate to 1.59 and gave us some clubcard points, which when we use them for at 4 times the value equates to nearly £20.

So quite happy all round.:)

[Tiggers Friend]

I'd (and I'm sure the others) would be interested in your experiences of using the card in Florida. :)

[Greg_H]

Hopefully all will be ok as it is a VISA and that's used all over. I will report back!