Credit Cards on the Camino

[Covey]

The credit crunch is upon us and that impacts on most of us doing the Camino in 2009.

For the Brits, the cost of doing the Camino has gone up 25% from last year because of the exchange rate against the Euro. In 2007 I got ?1.45/? but today it is 1/1.

Using credit cards on the Camino can prove very expensive because of the exchange rate the card issuer uses (never in your favour!!) and the fees charged every time you used the card in a Spanish ATM.

It is essential now that you tell your card issuer when you are going overseas and how long you will be away, and where. All the card companies use automated fruad software which compares transactions and locations. If you have never used your card outside your home country and the card suddenly pops up in a Spanish ATM asking for a cash withdrawal, it is almost 100% certain the transaction will be declined and you will be left standing in the rain outside some remote bank wondering why you cannot get any money.

Last year I met two ladies from New York whose cards would not work and who had spent two days phoning various call centres for Bank of America in the States trying to convince their bank that it really was them trying to use their own cards.. Their bank asked them to fax a copy of their airline ticket and passport ID page and THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATE!!! I have never met anyone who carries a copy of their birth certificate, and certainly not on the Camino!! (too much weight!!)

None of this was much fun when you are down to your last ?20.

In the UK you might consider using one of the Travel Money Cards issued by the banks and the Post Office. They are normally issued in $ or ? and you load the card with funds before you leave home. You therefore know the exchange rate before you leave home and they usually charge ?2 per withdrawal, which is a lot cheaper than using a credit card. The cards are usually Visa and can be used anywhere you see a Visa sign and in any ATM displaying a Visa sign.

Albergues and bars do not normally take credit cards!! Carry ?200 in cash on you and draw ?200 from an ATM each time to keep the overall cost down.

Make sure you have two cards on you in case one does not work. Some of the smaller Spanish banks ATM's seem to have difficulties authorising foriegn cards, so try to use the machines from the bigger banks. Banco Sandanter always seems to work as they own two banks in the UK.

[Leslie]

This is an area that I do not think of much. Having lived in a few places in Europe my cards always work where-ever I am - but my bank is within the Euro zone and that likely helps. Then again in Canada last year there was no problem either.

The first year I walked the Camino my wallet was stolen and I called my credit card company who then arranged for me to collect cash when I needed it from any bank - they were great and with out their help I would have had to come home and get new cards.

We have been using chip and pin for quite some time and perhaps that helps also.

[Covey]

Banks in the UK like Barclays have recently stated that due to the explosion in fraud due to cloned cards their customers should now advise the bank when they will be overseas, and have provided a slot on their internet banking site to do so.

Lloyds TSB now suggest that you provide their card company with a mobile number so that they can check with you if there is a problem.

Remember to keep the bank updated with any new mobile number otherwise they will contact your home address or land line, and that ain't much help if you are in Spain!

Brits who often travel to the continent and use their cards should be OK but it is advisable to err on the safe side and let your card company know.

Last July, there were a lot of pilgrims from the States, Canada and the Far East who were having card problems.

Travellers Cheques can be cashed in places like Pampolona, Burgos, Leon and Santiago, but may prove difficult to cash in a small savings bank in some remote small town. Nobody but a bank will touch a travellers cheque in Spain!! If you carry TC's, make sure they are Euro ones.

[Leslie]

Thanks for this covey - I haven't lived in the UK for 12 years so a bit out of touch.

[Covey]

I attach a link to a BBC News page on the subject of increased checks on credit card transactions, especially on using cards overseas.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7834798.stm

Probably a good idea to make a note the phone number of your card issuer and take it with you!!

The trade body for the card issuers suggest you take two credit cards from different issuers just in case.

You can buy a phone card in Spain which will make international calls much cheaper than trying to call using a mobile. Toll free numbers for customer services will not work outside your home country!!

[spanishlancer]

If you have a Nationwide UK credit card,(Used to be Nationwide Building Society) they do not charge commission on use overseas. I think you have to be UK resident to get one though.

Ron

[Covey]

Sadly, no longer! Viva le credit crunch

[Covey]

Sorry, forgot the link in all the excitement!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ds-abroad.html

[spanishlancer]

Sadly, no longer! Viva le credit crunch

The Nationwide Card fees will not be levied in Europe.They are still free. Rest of world there are now fees.You must read all of the article, the press like to get your attention with a headline and then think you won't read any further or do some research.
The Post office also issues a card with fee free use.Abbey have a card called Abbey Zero but was withdrawn yesterday but they have said they will reintroduce it from May of this year.
Card I want is a Visa Electron just so I can get Ryanair flights without paying their card charges. Only Bank I have found still issuing them is The Cooperative Bank in the UK. You have to open a Cashminder account with them.

Ron

[rekkapix]

I have had to wait to get onto the electoral register to get a credit card in N Ireland, i was only on it from yesterday and abbey zero was the one i've applied for. flip yea it seemed to have been the best option for credit.

I also got one of these for my 'normal' money, instead of bringing my home debit card, a very good idea, and paypal do one too, though the rates in europe aren't as good;

http://www.fairfx.com/

its sort of a pay-as-you-go debit card.

[Covey]

There are a number of firms offering the "pre-pay" cards which look like a credit card, work like a credit card, but you can only spend the money you have credited to the card. Most have a monthly fee, but are often very useful for those who find it difficult to get a "normal" credit card.

I use one for buying items online from the internet. The card I use offers protection from fraudulent transactions, but has the advantage that it protects the credit limits on my bank cards.

I use a Lloyds TSB Travel Money Card for the Camino http://www.lloydstsb.com/travel/trav...ard_&WT.srch=1

The card is a Euro Money Card and works in most ATM machines in Spain displaying the Visa sign. Again you pre load the card before you leave.

Living in South London in the land of the card cloners I get wary about who gets their hands on my debit card as it can quickly result in having your account emptied out. Chip and Pin was circumvented by the fraudsters around here long ago!

[Rod]

I have looked at various currency cards and found that the CAXTON card offers the best deal NO ATM or Purchase charges + if you use it to book your flight with Ryan air in the Euro zone you don't pay the online check in fee. Got mine today and watching the exchange rate on their site . hopefully it will improve after the election (Currency Cards - No ATM Fees, Best Exchange Rates, MasterCard, Money, Forex rates, Prepaid, Travel Money, Foreign Exchange, Exchange Currency, Money Exchange )