Shadowdh Posted June 21, 2006 at 04:27 PM Report Posted June 21, 2006 at 04:27 PM Hi all, I just want to check the access to ATMs for the travelex prepaid travel card... its supposed to work like a visa (found here http://www.travelex.co.uk/personal/PPC_default.asp?content=ppc) but I am not sure if it would be widely accepted in ATMs in Beijing... alternatively the UK post office also does one that is supposed to work in much the same way... http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump1?catId=19300207&mediaId=26800661 any advice would be much appreciated... cheers... Quote
doumeizhen Posted June 22, 2006 at 02:52 AM Report Posted June 22, 2006 at 02:52 AM You can use regular visa cards at Bank of China ATMs without any problem, although you are limited to 2,500 a day. Whether or not those cards work I don't know, but I can't see it being a problem. Quote
Shadowdh Posted June 22, 2006 at 06:16 AM Author Report Posted June 22, 2006 at 06:16 AM Thanks for the info... It seems to make some sense taking one of these... hmmm maybe one of these and cash just in case... Quote
roddy Posted June 22, 2006 at 06:19 AM Report Posted June 22, 2006 at 06:19 AM I'd check what kind of protection they give you in case of lost / stolen cards - do you get the same fraud protection you get with credit cards, etc. In terms of usage, if it's on the Visa network then you should be able to use it anywhere you can use a Visa card. Quote
liuzhou Posted June 22, 2006 at 06:42 AM Report Posted June 22, 2006 at 06:42 AM If you want to send me the card, I'm willing to check it out for you! Quote
Shadowdh Posted June 22, 2006 at 08:42 AM Author Report Posted June 22, 2006 at 08:42 AM Roddy... its protection is pretty good for both really... (one of the first things I checked out)... one offers you a second card incase one gets lost or stolen automatically and the other replaces it very quickly... both have pretty good credit replacement too... Liuzhou... LOL sure not a problem...uh the "Card" is in the mail... now just have to figure out how to tell the wife my friend from the internet is testing my funds... Quote
roddy Posted June 22, 2006 at 08:44 AM Report Posted June 22, 2006 at 08:44 AM I'd be happy using that then. Don't already have a UK credit or debit card you could use though? Or does this work out cheaper? Quote
mr.stinky Posted June 22, 2006 at 09:00 AM Report Posted June 22, 2006 at 09:00 AM about those replacement cards while travelling...... where will they be sent? to post office general delivery? to hotel? how are you paying for the hotel without access to funds? how are they sent? fedex/ems? how long do you have to remain in one place waiting for the card? will they send to furrin' countries, or must be sent to address of record, then forwarded? and to use the card, you need a pin. how do you get one? they don't hand them out over the phone. usually they send it by separate mailing. is the pin also sent fedex/ems, or does that come standard airmail? Quote
Shadowdh Posted June 22, 2006 at 10:47 AM Author Report Posted June 22, 2006 at 10:47 AM Roddy... this works out cheaper as there is no interest and only a small charge (if any) for withdrawing your money... but I will also carry a UK cc just in case... Mr Stinky... as far as I know (hey I just figured out what AFAIK means... damn I am slow) they send it to the address I specify (which will be the SAC or whereever I am staying...) how they are sent is not know but will ask at time of getting it (if I do)... and as for sending to cardholder addy then forwarding on... AFAIK they send it to me (or enable me to pick it up in a visa office perhaps) again I will clarify on pick up... yes you do use a pin... not sure if its sent the normal way or not or if you enter it when you pick the card up/charge the card with cash... I will find out when I get it tomorrow... the pin is used with all cards on that account I think... hope that answers your questions but I really am just looking into this now... I will know more when I have spoken to the people tomorrow... Quote
onebir Posted June 22, 2006 at 01:56 PM Report Posted June 22, 2006 at 01:56 PM i was thinking about one of these prepaid cards, but they do charge you a huge premium for spending your own money - something like 5%; much more than a using your cashpoint card... you have to read the small print of the card agreement to find this out though Quote
Shadowdh Posted June 22, 2006 at 04:02 PM Author Report Posted June 22, 2006 at 04:02 PM Hmmm I havent read that yet... will delve deeper then... as far as I have read the post office one is 1.5% if you use pounds sterling (0% if you use USD or Eur) and the travelex one is 0%... (but the rate is likely to be not so hot maybe???)... I will read the small print though... thanks for the tip... Quote
adrianlondon Posted June 22, 2006 at 04:29 PM Report Posted June 22, 2006 at 04:29 PM I plan on using my Nationwide cash card (linked to my Flex Account). It's a debit card run over the Visa network (ie a delta card). Nationwide don't charge any premium for using their cash cards or credit cards abroad. Obviously, using a credit card to draw out cash means you're charged interest straight away. And using a debit card to draw cash means you must have the cash in your current account in advance! Quote
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