Prepaid currency cards

[Putney Sue]

Hello! This is my first post on this forum! Am coming to Carvoeiro for our first visit to Portugal in a couple of weeks. Can't wait!! This is a very useful forum and has made us anticipate our holiday even more! Has anyone used prepaid currency cards? Are there A.T.M's in Carvoeiro to get money out on said cards?? Also can they be used in restaurants in the same way as credit/debit cards here?? Would you regulars recommend them?? Any advice appreciated. Looking forward to enjoying the Carvoeiro experience very soon!

[Polli62]

Try caxtonfx card and also fairfx card. Have a look on Money saving expert website for best deals on prepaid cards. http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel ... avel-money

[Putney Sue]

Thanks for that.. I will check them out. I gather from this forum,that there are some ATM's to draw out money, but my real query is will these cards be accepted in restaurants?

[e-richard]

Most restaurants do NOT accept any cards, Cash only.

This is changing, but slowly and don't rely on it.

[laserblazer]

Most restaurants do NOT accept any cards, Cash only.

This is changing, but slowly and don't rely on it.

We've been caught out a couple of times.

[logicbob]

I use the FairFX card when I am in CVO you can get cash from ATM's and use it as a credit card.

[Farol]

I use the FairFx card. It is accepted anywhere that other Mastercards are so there is no disadvantage when compared to any other plastic. This applies to ATMs, shops and restaurants. I have not come across many places that don't take plastic - if there were one and you were in a town then there is probably a nearby atm where you could draw cash to pay the bill.

Prepaid cards are probably the safest way of taking money anywhere. If it is stolen then you have the comfort of knowing the thief cannot empty your bank account or run up large credit card bills for you to dispute. My wife had hers stolen from her handbag in Lisbon. We immediately phoned FairFx and they blocked the card, issued a new card, transferred the balance onto the new card. Just a small admin charge for issueing a replacement card.

[destroyer]

I've used the Fair FX card for some years although I tend to draw cash rather than use it to pay for goods. This is simply easier in my view as I don't have to keep track of what I'm spending other than by checking my cash level . Also, using it to pay for goods can leave you with odd amounts on the card which make life more complex than I like it to be (you can't check your balance at the ATM with this card so would have to access a computer to do so). The maximum ATM withdawal, certainly in the Algarve, is 200 Euro, and each withdrawal costs Euro 1.50. I simply load the card in multiples or 201.50 to address this.
If you go to this link http://www.fairfx.com/opodo/home/ you should be able to get the card free, rather than paying the usual £9.95 fee. If you use Ryanair, you might wish to consider also Fair FX's pre paid Sterling Mastercard as well as the Euro one. Ryanair don't level their (significant) card fee on this.

[holiday1]

We use caxton fx. No fees at all once loaded (atm withdrawals free etc.), loaded in euros so you pay the exchange rate once and the rate has been highly competitive.

[Putney Sue]

Thanks to you all for your very helpful replies. Can't wait to get to Carvoeiro now!

[logicbob]

Just checked and FairFX offer 1.10 and CaxtonFX offer 1.09. FairFX seem to be better value but I guess you need to check every time you do a transaction.

[dodger]

Another one for Fairfx.............got both the Euro and Sterling card and have used it to great affect!

Super card and easy to use.

[holiday1]

Yeah when we got it caxton was 0.02 better than fairfx, fluctuate slightly but very similar