Prepaid Cards Versus Travellers Cheques

We are constantly being advised as to which method is the best to use regarding our money on holiday. Despite the risks there are many who insist on wandering around foreign climes with their pockets, wallets or bum bags stuffed with currency. Traveller’s cheques have long been popular alternatives to hard cash, and now a new method is gaining in both credence and popularity, prepaid cards.

What Are Prepaid Cards?

Prepaid cards are self explanatory, they work in the same way as a credit card but you load money onto them so you can only spend what is there, as with a debit card. As well as being a lot safer to use abroad, they are also a great way to effectively manage your budget as you can't go over the top like can so easily be done with ordinary credit cards. You can also withdraw cash from ATM's on holiday if you want some currency in your pocket.

Vs Travellers Cheques

For many years travellers cheques were seen as being the safest way to deal with currency abroad. Issued by American Express and available from post offices, travel agents etc all you do is buy the cheque/s, and take note of the cheque numbers. When you get abroad simply take them to the bureau de change with ID, sign them and they will be changed into cash, or buy goods with them in shops but you must have your ID too.

Another benefit is that if they are lost or stolen they will be replaced within 24 hours, practically anywhere in the world. They aren't perfect however, and one of the main problems is that a lot of places are now refusing travellers cheques, preferring cash and credit cards.

The Advantages Of Prepaid Cards

The advantages of prepaid cards are numerous; the big one is that they are issued by VISA, so anywhere displaying the VISA sign will happily take them. They are seen as the electronic alternative to travellers cheques and are widely available from high street banks, the post office and many travel agents have their own. They aren't linked to a bank account either so if you do lose it there is no chance of your account being drained.

There are few downsides however, commission is charged at varying percentages, you need to ensure you can get your hands on other cash if it is lost or stolen and you have to top up in the UK before you travel.

In Summary

There are pros and cons with both these methods and which one you choose is very much a matter of personal preference.