What’s the best way to spend when you're abroad? | ClearScore GB (2024)

If you're heading abroad for a break you're going to need some spending money. It’s been a rocky year or so for the Pound and with the value of the Pound still at a relatively low level, getting the most for your money is even more important. So what's the best way to pay when you're abroad?

Local cash is probably the easiest (and cheapest) way to spend abroad, because:

That said, cash also has its downsides:

The deal you get will largely depend on the exchange rate - the value of the pound compared to the foreign currency.

The exchange rate changes regularly as the value of the Pound goes up and down nearly every day. And exchange rates can even vary a lot between providers. The fairest exchange rate possible is the ‘mid-market rate’, or interbank rate. This is the exchange rate used by banks and other traders when they buy and sell currency between each other. However, the general public are typically given a less favourable rate, as banks and foreign exchange bureaus want to make a profit.

Here are a few tips to help you get the best deal on foreign cash:

If you don't want to pay for your whole holiday in cash, you can use a credit or debit card. These have some distinct advantages:

1. Credit and debit cards are typically safer than cash

Credit and debit cards offer you more protection if they're lost or stolen, as you can easily cancel them and identify any fraudulent activity.

2. They are more convenient

You pay for things as and when you buy them, leaving you with less leftover cash to use up at the end of your holiday.

On the downside:

You can run into acceptance issues

Card machines can often be temperamental. While cards are usually widely accepted in tourist hotspots, smaller merchants and those outside busy areas may only take cash. Make sure to carry some cash for emergencies.

They can also be expensive to use

Credit and debit cards tend to charge a fee on every foreign transaction, usually around 3%. Most will also charge an ATM withdrawal fee.

Not all credit cards and debit cards charge expensive foreign transaction fees. There are cards designed specifically for travel which don’t charge any fees at all:

Travel credit cards include the Zero credit card from Santander and the Aqua reward card, both of which don’t charge any foreign transaction fees. Virgin Money’s Travel Credit Card also has no foreign transaction fees and it also offers 0% interest on purchases for 12 months. So you could use this card to pay for your holiday in the first place and spread the cost interest-free.

You can find credit cards that you’re eligible for in the Offers section of your ClearScore account.

To make the most of these savings, always perform transactions in the local currency. This ensures you get the best exchange rate available.

Prepaid cards work just like credit and debit cards. However, they have two main advantages:

1. They’re safer

Prepaid cards are not linked to your bank account. Instead, you top them up with as much cash as you want. This means you stand to lose less should your card be lost or stolen.

It’s also much easier to stick to your budget and control your spending.

2. They’re cheaper

Foreign exchange specialists like Travelex and Caxton have travel-centric prepaid cards, as do new entrants to the market like Revolut and WeSwap.

You can usually hold several different currencies on the same card, which means you only need to deal with the exchange rate once. With most of these cards, you also won’t be charged foreign transaction fees or ATM withdrawal fees.

Of course, prepaid cards aren’t perfect, either:

Limits apply.

For instance, WeSwap only allows you to make 2 ATM transactions a day, and you can make a maximum of 10 POS or online transactions per 24-hour period. Similarly, Revolut charges a 2% fee if you withdraw more than £200 in a month.

Paying a deposit can be tricky.

Hotels and car rental agencies sometimes charge an amount to your card as a deposit. Many won’t accept a prepaid card for this. If they do, you may have to top up again to keep using your card.

Written by Andre Spiteri

Financial Writer

Andre is a former lawyer turned award-winning finance writer.