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Holidaymakers face over £100 in ATM charges, warns Skyscanner

Dépèche transmise le 6 octobre 2011 par Business Wire

EDINBURGH, Scotland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As the OFT calls for an investigation into currency fees, a study by travel search site Skyscanner has revealed that Brits could be paying hundreds in unnecessary ATM charges when using debit and credit cards abroad.

“Our study shows the importance of doing your research before you go on holiday. Consumers should check how much their bank charges and look at using a card where there is no interest rate charged on purchases made abroad, no foreign exchange fee and no ATM cost.”

A recent Skyscanner survey found that using credit and debit cards is the most popular method of using currency abroad, with one in three travellers now relying on this option.

Skyscanner reviewed both credit and debit cards for the top UK banks and found not only was there a huge difference in the charges made between banks, but even customers banking with the same bank could be charged different amounts depending on which card type they use.

The worst offender of the cards reviewed was found to be the Halifax/BoS which saw customers using their debit cards abroad charged over £140 for an average fortnight’s spending*. However Halifax customers opting to use the Halifax Clarity credit card are charged as little as £3 for exactly the same fortnight’s spending.

It was also found that the highest charges for average spending habits tended to be with debit card use due to the per transaction charges.

Skyscanner’s money expert Carol Petrie says, “Our study shows the importance of doing your research before you go on holiday. Consumers should check how much their bank charges and look at using a card where there is no interest rate charged on purchases made abroad, no foreign exchange fee and no ATM cost.

“If you do have to use a debit card be mindful of the fact you are charged every time you use it so if you can withdraw a couple of lump sums over the course of your holiday you will be far better off than using it on an ad hoc basis.”

Card charges – ranked in order of best to worst for average holiday spending*:

Notes to editors:

*Average spending was based on 2 x £20 transactions (i.e. lunch and shopping), 1x £35 transaction (i.e. dinner) and 1 x £20 cash withdrawal (i.e. taxis, drinks).

• Credit and debit card fees were taken from moneysavingexpert, updated in August 2011.
• For the purpose of this report APR was taken on annual basis but divided by 12 to represent a month’s spend

About Skyscanner

Skyscanner is Europe’s leading travel search site providing instant online comparisons for millions of flights on over 600 airlines, as well as car hire and hotels.

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