Read today (though it must have been mooted for some time) that the UK Post Office launched yesterday a 'pre-paid' card that can be used abroad for ATM withdrawals.
Touted as a 'safer alternative to cash, it can be used to withdraw money from Visa ATMs or to pay for goods in shops. It is not linked to a bank account, so if lost there is a limit to how much can be taken.
I'm wondering if it can be topped up via the Internet, so you only need a small amount on it at any one time, thus further limiting the potential for loss. I could then leave my bank ATM card in the hotel as an emergency and carry the top-up card
Here's the official blurb from:
http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/p...diaId=26800661
Oddly there is 0% commission on Euro and Dollar withdrawals, but 1.5% on Sterling withdrawals. ATM operator charges extra, as usual.
£10 fee to buy the card. If I use it with Euros, I'm not clear on how they will make anything on this beyond the initial fee... must be a catch somewhere.
Can't see why non-UK citizens cannot use it, may be restrictions on posting them abroad..?
No mention of Internet top-up, will email and ask. Also want to know if replacement cards will be deliverable to LOS in a timely fashion. I think I can just about scrap by on £500 (32500THB) per day 8^)
Sounds useful.