Should you use a card or travel money outside the UK?

If you're heading on a trip outside the UK, you might be wondering whether to use your debit card or credit card, or take travel money. There's not necessarily a right or wrong answer, but there are some advantages and disadvantages in certain situations. Here are some of the benefits of each and information worth knowing.

Debit and credit cards are accepted in a wide range of shops and restaurants, so they're convenient. You can also use your debit card to take out cash from ATMs while you’re on your trip.

You may be charged a non-sterling transaction fee when buying things on both debit and credit cards, as well as when withdrawing cash from ATMs. Charges vary according to the bank you're with and the type of account you hold. So, look closely at what they may be before you go.

Tip: if you’re using your card in shops, bars or restaurants outside the UK and are given the choice of paying in pounds or local currency, you could consider choosing local currency. If you choose to pay in local currency, you’ll avoid dynamic currency conversion fees and in most cases will get a better exchange rate.

If your card is lost or stolen, you should have the same level of protection when travelling outside the UK as when you’re at home. Before travelling check how you can report any issues with your bank. It may also be a good idea to save your bank's contact details in your mobile phone for easy access.

If you’re an HSBC customer with mobile or online banking, you can block or cancel your cards instantly if they're lost or stolen.

If you like to keep a close eye on your spending and are registered for mobile or online banking, you can log on to keep track of your finances while you're away. This way you can act instantly on any issues you see and also manage things like bills and Direct Debits.

You won't need to worry about finding an ATM when you arrive, or when you’re heading to any of the local shops.

If you're sticking to a fixed budget while you're away, taking travel money with you makes it easier by limiting what you have available to spend. Plus, once you've exchanged the amount you want, there are no further fees to pay for using your money abroad.

Carrying large amounts of money around with you when you’re abroad can be very risky as cash can be lost or stolen and is difficult to track. If you're taking a large amount of cash with you, consider using a safe deposit box so you can minimise the amount you’re carrying around from day to day. If you have travel insurance, it may also be worth looking at how much cash you're covered for carrying.

Also, if you've only got cash and no other spending options, you may run out of money before your trip is over and be in a difficult situation.

It may be a good idea to use a mix of cards and travel money while you’re outside the UK. That way you’ll have cash on hand when you arrive at the airport, but also the security of a card while you’re out and about. But always make sure you're aware of any fees and charges for using your card outside the UK.