UKC

Unless we get swamped by a tsunami it looks like we'll be on Naxos, weekend after next. It's about 8 years since I was abroad (Spain) and years again before that. I've always just got some euros and can't recall using a card because of potential fees. I've got a First Account debit card (came when I started the First Direct regular saver) but have never used it. It would appear to not have any fees when used abroad (uses MasterCard daily exchange rate apparently). What do folks think? Cash, card, both?

In reply to Lankyman:

Revolut or similar is your friend. Just done 2 weeks in Leonido, only needed cash for the Lidl trolley.

didnt take any cash or draw any out, contactless everywhere

In reply to Lankyman:

Don't know about Greece but in other parts of europe we use Monzo, no fees and fx spread not bad. Easy to use app too.

I've found tesco and barclays to be extortionate. 

In reply to Lankyman:

I use Halifax Clarity for non-UK spending. 

No transaction fees which is great. It has been consistently recommended by Money Saving Expert for years.

I have other friends who also use it without any issues.

In reply to Lankyman:

Monzo for me. No fees and a good exchange rate, plus £400 cash withdrawel each month with no fees (unlimited if its your main account). Get someone to refer you if you choose it, as you'll both get a kickback.

In reply to Lankyman:

I am about to catch the ferry to Naxos in about 3 hours.

Cards excepted pretty much everywhere for quite small transactions.

Cash machines charge from 1.5 to 2 euros per withdrawal, I believe Euronet charge more.

Check out money saving expert for the best overseas card, but I think first direct is recommended.

Always pay in Euros, never Pounds if asked when paying by card.

There is I am led to believe a direct bus from the airport to pireaus.

In reply to Godwin:

How long are you on Naxos - want to know if we can avoid you (only kidding!)? Would be good to meet up for a walk/beer. I took my First card to Aldi just now  to try and it wouldn't work as I used the wrong pin - shows my level of financial acumen. Yes, I think there is a bus direct to Piraeus. Might try the metro as it won't be affected by road traffic like the bus?

In reply to Lankyman:

Lots of shops in Greece prefer cash. Some businesses don’t accept cards.

Europe generally, we take a couple of hundred Euros in cash and do the rest on cards. I use Halifax Clarity, but plenty options without fees.

In reply to Lankyman:

Specialist credit card is usually best.

I've had the Halifax Clarity card for years - by wife and M-in-L have the Barclaycard one mentioned:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money/

In reply to Lankyman:

I have not decided yet, I have another couple of weeks in Greece. I will see how much I like Naxos, but plan A is about a week on Naxos, then back to Athens for a week exploring the Peloponnese with a trip to Meteora. I can hire a car for circa £20 for a week on the Mainland.

I did not know you were coming so soon, will I have to dig out my fake mustache?

In reply to Godwin:

We're staying in Chora for ten days from the 23rd, probably having a trip or two to neighbouring islands (I hear Santorini is nice). We'll probably end up hiring a car as the buses won't get us everywhere. £20 a week - are you sure that's not a donkey cart?

Your East Lancashire accent will give you away regardless

In reply to Lankyman:

Thanks for all the responses. I think we'll end up with some cash and my First card (assuming I can use the right pin!). First seems to be well regarded.

In reply to Lankyman:

I have sent you an email via UKC 

In reply to Lankyman:

I have used my First Direct debit card for withdrawing cash and for paying for stuff without any issues over the past six months in Greece, Cyprus and France. Good exchange rate for purchases and cash - but from a cash machine, always reject their conversion and choose to pay in € or you get stung,

Chris

In reply to Chris Craggs:

Thanks, that's good to know, Chris. When you talk about cash are you referring to a cash withdrawal from an ATM? I've never done this abroad so I'm not familiar with the sequence of on-screen prompts. When you say 'reject their conversion' are you referring specifically to cash machines or when paying for stuff by card generally? My understanding from reading on moneysavingexpert is to always pay in euros.

In reply to Lankyman:

Never, ever use any EuroNet ATM. Apart from their conversion rate scams, they basically try to charge you a fat fee just for inserting the card or checking your balance (they call the "feature" Cash & Balance, IIRC).

In reply to Frank R.:

Cheers, good to know!

In reply to Lankyman:

Anywhere you use your card, an option might appear to pay in GBP or Euros, always pick Euros. Always look at the screen, on occasion helpful staff make it GBP thinking as your English this is what you might want. 

There is a Pireaus Bank ATM on the Ferry, and I think they are one of the cheaper ones, do not use Euronet.

In reply to Lankyman:

Always try and avoid withdrawing cash using a credit card, as it can hit your credit rating - think it's explained in the MSE link I posted earlier.

In reply to TMM:

Same here, it is just a normal credit card though so can also be used in the UK.

These days most countries seem to have followed the UK in cards being accepted pretty much everywhere. Although I always also travel with some cash, the fact Euros can be used in so many countries is a bonus as it's likely you will be able spend any unused cash on a future trip.

Just be aware that you will get charged for cash withdrawals with any c.card, so your normal debit card is probably best for that. Also you will get charged a fee per cash transaction, so better to withdraw a lump rather than just €10 a day. 

Just remember with cards to always select to pay in local currency if given the choice. Your bank always calculates at a better rate than the shop/machine offer.

In reply to Lankyman:

Euronet is a company to simply avoid on principle. Using deceiving grey patterns to intentionally scam customers:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euronet_Worldwide#Controversies

Their own PR statement is stinky as heck as well: 

"Euronet offers a combined Cash&Balance function at the ATM to increase customer satisfaction.  The service has recently received unsubstantiated criticism in the social media space by a “known” blogger, active in a specific country, spreading false statements and misinformation to consumers. The purpose of this blog is to restore the truth and provide the real facts and details of this service."

Putting an ad hominem attack in a PR statement? What, that's quite a Twittler‑level PR low!

Actual banks in Poland and Czechia are actually warning their own customers not to ever use Euronet ATMs, which says it all...

In reply to Lankyman:

The instructions were when using an ATM to get cash. We have found ones at banks and Post Offices are better than free-standing ATMs, as there is generally no charge for the service and they don't try to con you into a large conversion fee,

Chris

In reply to LastBoyScout:

Yes, I have a couple of credit cards and don't intend to use them abroad as they do levy fees (apart from the credit rating risk).

In reply to Jenny C:

I tried to get a Halifax Clarity credit card yesterday and the beggars rejected me. I must be too old, poor or disreputable!

In reply to Frank R.:

Thanks for that - I must tattoo something on my hand about avoiding Euronet!

In reply to Lankyman:

Heh.

They are a really scummy company – not just tricking customers by all their hidden and often outrageous fees, they had also illegally put their ATMs into several 'grade I equivalent' listed medieval buildings, actually damaging them and irreversibly ruining their historical value.

In reply to JMarkW:

I'd disagree with this and say you should definitely have a good supply of cash in Greece (specifically in Leonidio) because you can have problems with card machines being on the fritz, merchants who only accept cash and if you want to go to a market for fruit/veg, you will need cash for that too.

In reply to Lankyman:

If you are stuck for a card and have enough time, you could get a Wise debit card. They specialise in multi-currency and advertise low conversion fees etc. So you can just load it up with some ££ and either convert to and from whatever currency you want, or let them do it for you. I don't use anything else when I'm out of the UK.

In reply to freeflyer:

Thanks. I do have a First Account debit card which appears to be fee-free for euro transactions and ATM withdrawals. I've had it a couple of years and never used it but that may change today when I buy something with it? Just have to remember to put some dosh in the account before heading to Greece! A fee-free credit card would have been good but I appear to be too much of a risk/poor to apply so will have to suck up a fee if we need to use one over there.

In reply to Lankyman:

I use my credit card overseas.  I usually load it up before i go so that cash withdrawls don't take it into the red (attracting chunky charges).  No charges for using it when in credit.

Which works nicely as long as everything goes to plan.

In reply to Lankyman: many years ago I got a caxton charge card after it was recommended on here . Charge it up via the app at an exchange rate that is usually as good if not better than the post office . Draw cash or pay with the card . As it’s a charge card you just spend what you put on it . If it’s lost or stolen worst case is you loose what you’ve charged it with .  I don’t think it works at toll booths on the auto route but other than that has always worked flawlessly .  

In reply to mike123:

Thanks, Mike. We're actually on Naxos right now. The First Direct card has been working like a dream. I've been paying in euros and inserting the card into the device to make sure of this (paying in pounds will get a fee!). The transactions show up on the app as pounds with the current MasterCard exchange rate at that time). I've used it for all sorts of purchases from cups of coffee, bus tickets, shopping for groceries and meals out etc. Not used it outside of the main town yet, everything seems closed in the villages but we're off to Chalki which might have a shop or taverna open? I haven't used it to withdraw cash from an ATM yet as I haven't needed any - Ali has some euros on her anyway.

In reply to mike123:

2nd that, been using a Caxton cars for years.

Slightly off topic, in France just now and Credit Agricola charge 6euros per transaction!

I passed and went to another provider.

In reply to mike123:

It's really worth getting a télépéage gadget for the autoroutes, as they cost peanuts and allow you to sail through the T no stopping lanes, and generally avoid you having to get out of the car and annoy the locals etc.

Search "ulys autoroute".