Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > TRAVEL Hints and Tips
Credit Card Use Credit Card Use
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
TRAVEL Hints and Tips Post your TIPS to travellers - all the interesting little tidbits you learned on the road about packing, where to get stuff, and how to cope with problems. Please make sure the subject describes the tip clearly!
Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 14 Apr 2007
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Philadelphia, US
Posts: 646
Credit Card Use
Be careful when using credit cards overseas...you WILL get nailed with Foreign Currency transaction fees of 3% on purchases...
Best to use your debit card to withdraw the local currency from an ATM and pay with local currency.
Foreign transaction fees for credit cards: Ask the Experts - Travelers' Tales

HTH
__________________
edde
93 BMW K75s
www.motoedde.com
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 Apr 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 1
Lightbulb Credit Cards - not ALWAYS a conversion fee
If you get a FlexAccount with debit card (no cash advance fees) or a credit card with Nationwide Building Society (in the UK) they do not charge a foreign currency conversion fee. You can get a Visa card.

As far as I know (and I've looked hard) this is the only card issuer to have this policy.

Beware, MINT has started charging an extra 1.25% even if abroad they charge in Sterling so there's no conversion - outright theft, in my opinion.

Chris (a happy Nationwide customer)

Nationwide Building Society - FlexAccount introduction
Nationwide Building Society - Introduction to Gold Credit Card
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 Apr 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kandahar Afghanistan
Posts: 160
If you open a HSBC account then transfer each month via internet roughly what you need for the month from your main account in the UK then use it to withdraw what you need from the HSBC branch in each country, a list avaliable on the net, you pay no charges. A second benifit is if you get robbed they take the HSBC card they can only steal the mounthly alowance that you transfered that month.

Sound like a good idea?

Hardened travelers what do you all think?
__________________
www.landroveradventure.co.uk
Land Rover Discovery 2, Yamaha Super Tenere
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 17 Apr 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 56
Post Office card
The UK Post Office also do a no comission on foreign purchases card but I haven't tried withdrawing money on it yet. Credit limits tend to be low though which may be a good thing for theft purposes.

I've used my Nationwide card in diverse places including small towns in India, Malaysia and the Carribean and never had any problems in getting cash in ATMs which are much more widespread than the brances of any particular bank.

The additional benefit of these cards is that the money is exchanged on the wholesale rate which is better than the over the counter tourist rate.

If the card is stolen you can cancel it - just take the emergency number or look it up on t'inernet.

One thing that I would do from now on is make sure I take two cards, each administered by a different clearing company. I was in France over the weekend when Visa had a server go down (I called the issuing bank helpline to find out what had happened) which meant that my (and all other) Visa card was declined. The Mastercard was fine though.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Can anyone recommend a bank/credit card for S/C/N Americas MikeS Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 10 25 Nov 2009 19:56
Credit Card Exchange Rate charge loxsmith Australia / New Zealand 17 12 Apr 2006 01:34
Green card insurance pco98 Trip Paperwork 1 11 Apr 2005 06:51
credit card imprint paco Central America and Mexico 5 15 Nov 2004 02:34
American Express Card Story Leavesley Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 1 18 Jul 2003 17:07

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:15.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top