Charges for using Card in Ireland

[milly143]

I was in the bank this morning and thought I would enquire about what charges I can expect if I were to use my card for purchases or cash withdrawals when in Dublin next week. The two women at the counter didn't have a clue. They weren't even sure if I would be charged. Surely it's my bank that will charge me isn't it? So they should have some sort of idea what I would be charged and what sort of transactions I would be charged on. Anyone have any idea at all?

[redcrx]

dont know what bank you use, but ive been using my natwest card in US last week and i got charged £1.25 for each transaction, though the exchange rate was better then when i bought my dollars.

[237SJ]

If you go onto the website of your credit card company you should be able to find out what their loading charge is. If you can`t, you might find it on moneysupermarket or thisismoney.co.uk

[milly143]

I'm with Barclays. I'm reluctant to use my card without knowing what I might be charged. I just don't get why my own bank doesn't have a clue when and what it's going to charge me.

[milly143]

By the way it's a debit card not a credit card.

[bednobs]

the other banks are no better. When i went to Jersey last year, lloyds gave me two answers - no i wouldn't be charged and yes i would be charged!

[redcrx]

http://www.personal.b...lue=4534&target=_self
http://www.barclays.c...abroad/P1242558115100

[237SJ]

Debit cards can be the worst for loading charges. I never use my lloyds debit card abroad because they charge (I think) a couple of quid every time. If you go away quite a bit it`s worth getting a credit card that doesn`t add a loading charge. I`ve got a Santander Zero card and it doesn`t charge anything. I think the post office might have one as well.

[milly143]

Thanks Red! Maybe you could send that to the women in my local branch too. ;o)

Looks like I might be better off just changing it all here and taking cash only.

[redcrx]

if youre taking a lot of cash when travelling it may be good idea to split it and keep in different places rather than having it all on your person

[twix123]

As they use Euros in Ireland, it's worth while to take Euro notes and bring any surplus back home for use later anywhere in the Eurozone.

For Barclays Bank charge rates see the attached link:

http://www.barclays.c...harges/P1242557964236

[sandyRoe]

Would you not be better using the card and paying the fee rather than risk carrying a lot of cash?

[milly143]

I think I'd rather take the cash and split it up as Red said. There is a safe at the hotel so we won't be walking around with all our spending money on us for the whole trip.

[dzug2]

<<Looks like I might be better off just changing it all here and taking cash only>>

Depends where you change it here - the average High Street outlet will charge you as much as the debit card fees - only you won't know it because they hide it in the exchange rate and scream NO COMMISSION at you.

And branch staff in any bank are never very much clued up on foreign exchange - you are lucky they understood the question. Or maybe they didn't......