Our latest #HolidayChat over on Twitter was all about ‘Travel Money Hacks’ and how holidaymakers can make their cash stretch further during trips away. We invited peer-to-peer currency exchange experts WeSwap to get involved, and you can catch up with all the tips, tricks and recommendations below…
Q1) What tips do you have for saving money when it comes to buying currency for your holiday? Any major dos and don'ts people should be aware of? #HolidayChat
Don't buy it at the airport. I got stung recently and my I got less euros than ££ I paid #HolidayChat
— Erin Kay Williams (@EKW_Blog) July 18, 2018
A1) Do - Change it up when the rate is good (always use a comparison website) OR a fee free credit/debit card
— Char XO (@char_x0) July 18, 2018
Don’t - Change it at the airport #holidaychat
A1) Martin Lewis’s TravelMoneyMax site! It’s like @icelollyholiday for currency; allowing you to compare currency prices! You’d be surprised how much you can save! Buy online&shop around! https://t.co/MPFO9suszv @MartinSLewis #HolidayChat
— Pulped Travel (@PulpedTravel) July 18, 2018
A1: Go to a real ATM, not one operated by a foreign currency exchange operator, and try to get as much cash as possible on each transaction to avoid extra fees. Also, use a credit card that doesn't charge extra for international purchases. #holidaychat
— Laura Powell (@dailysuitcase) July 18, 2018
Q2) Have you ever loaded your holiday spending money onto a prepaid card? If so, did you find things a lot easier? Or if you've never tried it, is it something you'd consider? #HolidayChat
Yes I actually use @WeAreWeSwap - super easy App that lets me top-up, swap my currency and check my balance on the go!! I look be using my #WeSwap card!
— Nardia Booshand (@Nardia_B) July 18, 2018
2) i always have some cash on me whenever i travel but yes, the rest i load onto a currency card! Can withdraw whenever needed and it's good for multiple currency trips! #HolidayChat
— Hol (@holinwanderlust) July 18, 2018
I couldn’t recommend the Post Office card enough, I can top it up and check my balances for all different currencies from my app. Really handy if you’re visiting more than one country too! #HolidayChat
— Rachel Nicole (@RachelNicoleUK) July 18, 2018
I always put 50% of my spends on my @sainsburys travel card ... it makes life so much easier, especially if you come back with money on there because you don’t need to keep it in a safe place you then forget about haha
— Emma | HarmonyBlaze (@HarmonyBlaze_UK) July 18, 2018
Q3) What are the best destinations to help ensure value for money on your travels? Tell us what you did to look after the pennies & how you were able to enjoy a cost-effective trip! #HolidayChat
A3. My best have been Indonesia and India as not only is the exchange good but haggling is commonplace. #HolidayChat
— Seanna Fallon (@SeannasWorld) July 18, 2018
A3) South East Asia & Eastern European countries are great! I tend to skip a lot of activities &entrance costs as usually I’m not that bothered about going into places ‘prefer to wander.. hence the blog name! And eat in cafes rather than in restaurants! #HolidayChat
— Ellie Quinn (@wandering_quinn) July 18, 2018
A3) Our top exchange-rate friendly destinations right now
— WeSwap (@WeAreWeSwap) July 18, 2018
Short haul: #Turkey#Hungary and #Estonia
Further afield: #SouthAfrica #Indonesia, #Malaysia
All beautiful, rich and wallet-friendly places to explore. #HolidayChat
I seemed not to spend a lot when I went to Krakow, I did a free walking tour, the food and drink were cheap and the hostel cost £25 for 3 nights! #HolidayChat
— Face The Fun (@facethefun) July 18, 2018
Q4) This next question is easy - want to get FREE money ahead of your next holiday? (P.s. Got any questions for the @WeAreWeSwap guys? They're getting involved tonight to answer any currency queries you may have!) #HolidayChat
In question four, we gave participants the chance to enjoy FREE travel money on their next holiday! Here’s how you can get your hands on some too.
Yes! My question would be about how their exchange rates compare to other providers? #HolidayChat
— Seanna Fallon (@SeannasWorld) July 18, 2018
Hey Seanna You can see all our rates over at https://t.co/HGRAmHQYOf. There's a comparison there too, but we're also a top pick on @MoneySavingExp, so feel free to compare us there too pic.twitter.com/59ARplNTVR
— WeSwap (@WeAreWeSwap) July 18, 2018
Ooooh yes, and is this money exchange all done online and can be delivered? #HolidayChat
— Vee (@skittleviddy) July 18, 2018
Hey Vee!
— WeSwap (@WeAreWeSwap) July 18, 2018
Yep, sign up online & we'll send you your WeSwap card in a jiffy via secure post. You can use us worldwide, for spending or withdrawing at ATMs, at the best rates. Plus the handy free £10 with our friends at Icelolly
A4) looks good! How do you find out what the 18 currencies are without signing up just yet? Also, what’s the benefit of swapping currency to one of those 18 over not doing so and keeping it in ££? As I guess this would apply to the currencies that aren’t on there? #HolidayChat
— Ellie Quinn (@wandering_quinn) July 18, 2018
Thanks Ellie! Hopefully this helps clear things up: https://t.co/uk1dGpBq6l
— WeSwap (@WeAreWeSwap) July 18, 2018
As we're #peertopeer, swapping early means you get an even better rate, because we're able to swap directly with fellow travellers https://t.co/yBRkFInnht
Q5) If we gave you £500 to exchange for 3 different world currencies, which would you go for and where would you visit to spend your cash? #HolidayChat
A5) Hong Kong dollars so I can try out the cheapest Michelin starred restaurant, US dollars so I can gamble in Vegas and pounds so I can book a trip on @icelollyholiday
— Char XO (@char_x0) July 18, 2018
I’d get Eastern Caribbean dollars for Grenada, Cuban peso and Aruban florin, for a dream Caribbean getaway! #HolidayChat
— Kacie Morgan (@TheRareWelshBit) July 18, 2018
Right now I’d love some Korean won - craving some good K BBQ; American dollars to get some shopping done in New York’s Macys and some Australian dollars because I really want to do a Sydney helicopter tour!
— Vee (@skittleviddy) July 18, 2018
Hmmm NZ dollars to visit a friend; Kenyan Shilling because and a girl wants to go on safari for her honeymoon; finally euros for a good road trip #holidaychat
— Bonnie (@Bonnie_Wonders) July 19, 2018
Join us on Wednesday 1st August for our next #HolidayChat! Got a topic suggestion? Let us know in the comments below!
- Popular Articles
- Holidaying in Turkey: What You Need To Know
- Family Beach Holidays on a Budget
- 8 Reasons To Go On An All Inclusive Holiday Before Brexit
- Destinations to Book Now for Your Summer Holiday
- Here's How You Can Renew Your Passport In 10 Minutes
Related Articles
November #HolidayChat Round-Up
Published on 3rd November 2016
Choosing The Right Holiday For A Young Family
Published on 24th November 2016
6 Reasons You Need To Travel Long Haul
Published on 20th October 2016