Volcanic Ash Cloud: Don’t Rely on Cash When You Travel
Leading comparison website for travel money and prepaid cards, www.compareprepaid.co.uk warns that Brits travelling abroad relying on cash to fund their trip should be aware of how delays caused by Volcanic Ash Clouds could disrupt their travel plans and urge everyone has a back-up to cash they can rely on when away.
Although the Volcanic Ash Cloud did not cause as much disruption to passengers as it did in 2010, the recent ash cloud serves as a timely reminder to British travellers to the risks of not having adequate funds available to them while away.
Raffick Marday from the UK’s leading prepaid credit card and travel money website explains;
“As the summer approaches more and more of us will be jetting abroad for a week or two of sunshine. Many people simply take cash with them when they go away, relying on this amount of money to fund their trip, but few people ever consider the possibility that their flight back might be delayed several days – or even weeks – as a result of volcanic ash. This could potentially leave those reliant on cash to fund their trip seriously short of cash while away.
“We recognise why people only take cash with them – it makes budgeting easier and the temptation to overspend is diminished, but the risk of running out of cash is very real. A better way to budget, but to also have the security of knowing you can access more cash if you need to is via a travel prepaid card. These cards act just like credit cards, but you pre-load cash onto them.
“If for example you were abroad and an ash cloud hit and you ran out of money on your prepaid card, it is also possible for a family member to top-up the card from the UK for you, too – giving you more access to cash when you need it.”
There are great new cards on the market now that are easy to buy and top-up, leaving you in complete control of exactly how much you are spending, so you don’t have to face any nasty credit card surprises on your bill when you come home. Travel money cards typically offer a better exchange rate to most foreign exchange bureaus, too.
Compareprepaid.co.uk Highlights Five Ways Travel Money Cards offer the Best Option for Travellers:
Better Exchange Rates
Prepaid travel money cards typically offer better exchange rates. As many normal cards add a three percent cost to the exchange rate banks get, travel money card providers tend to not add this extra charge.
No Purchase Charges
Unlike most credit and debit cards if you purchase the right travel money card you will not be charged for individual purchases while abroad.
Security
A travel money card can reduce the amount of cash you have to carry on your person at any one time. All your holiday spending money can be transferred onto the card and the card used to purchase items minimising the need to carry an excessive amount of cash. Also, the money you add onto the card is safe, held in segregated accounts and most cards are credited by risk-averse Building Societies, not banks.
No Withdrawal Fees
A travel money card does not typically incur charges for use abroad – typically around 3% of each withdrawal - if you use the card to withdraw cash. Some cards do charge though so be sure to shop around for the best deal for your specific needs.
Budgeting
It is all too easy to use a debit or credit card abroad and lose track of what you are spending. If you have a specific budget planned before you depart, a prepaid travel card enables you to transfer holiday money onto your card so you know you will only spend the amount on the card and not go over that amount. You can also get a prepaid card without having to worry about a bad credit history.
Notes:
Raffick Marday is available for interview. Please contact Dale Lovell on 01753 859 588 or email: dlovell@searchnewsmedia.co.uk to arrange an interview.
Compare Prepaid is the leading comparison site which provides information, reviews and news on prepaid cards, credit cards and bank accounts available in the UK. Visit: www.compareprepaid.co.uk for more information.
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