Cash Cards
 

When we travelled RTW a couple of years ago we obtained a number of 'visa'cash cards. We got them from Thomas Cook in the UK. The card was the same size as a credit card, but did not have any raised numbers, just printed information. The card was a particularly safe way to travel with your cash as the only way to obtain the cash was to be possession of the card and the pin number for use with cash machines. If you lost the card it was useless to anyone who found it. I have attempted to get hold of these cards again, but Thomas Cook has stopped selling tha card and VISA didn't have a clue about what I was talking about. Does anone know if the cards are still available.

VISA ELECTRON???

Thanks for that, will enquire if there available in the UK.

Hiya Bob

I have a Visa Electron card from Abbey Nat. which is basically just a debit card. It doesn't have raised numbers so id just like the old Thomas cards. It is for ELECTONIC use only apparently but I use it for 'over the counter purchases' all the time. Here in the UK places which accept them is a bit limited but most places will take them. I've never used them over seas so can't comment on that angle.

Cheers mate

P.S. Cats in the post!! (Sorry everyone else- private joke)

Hi Chris, I think the ELECTRON card works in a similar way, but is attached to your bank account? The Thomas Cook cards were purchased for £25 per card then you could credit each card with up to £5k. When all the cash had been withdrawn you threw the card away and used another one. The great thing about them was that if you lost it or it got stolen it was useless to anyone without the pin and VISA would replace it within 24hrs. I tried all the travel companies and VISA,themselves, but they thought I was barking mad (not a bad judge of character after such a short conversation!) with no luck. If the ELECTRON does work in the same way it would be as good, if not better.

(Great, we have mice!)

American Express have just launched the TravelFunds card which sounds similar.

http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif...1,18622,00.asp

Cheers,
Nick.

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