‘Barclays introduce pre-pay chip and PIN card for use abroad’
August 2, 2007 at 5:33 pm
If you are about to travel abroad and are debating whether to take local currency or travellers’ cheques, the new Barclays pre-pay chip and PIN card may be just what you are looking for. After all, carrying large amounts of cash around is never particularly safe and travellers’ cheques can often prove to be less than convenient.
The card, personalised with the customer’s name, signature and card number, and protected by chip and PIN technology, can be loaded with any amount from £100 to £2500 in sterling, US dollars or Euros. It can be used not only at cash machines (a 2% fee applies) but anywhere else across the globe which accepts VISA. It can be used for any currency but a charge of 2.75% is levied where currency needs to be converted.
Because the card is not linked to a particular bank account, it cannot become overdrawn, allowing travellers peace of mind, not only from the point of view of sticking to a budget but also because if the card is lost, the damage is limited. Customers are also protected by the bank’s fraud guarantee, ensuring that if you are the innocent victim of fraud you will not lose out financially.
Checking your balance and topping up the card whilst travelling is not a problem either. The balance can be verified either at ATMs or by phone, and the card can be topped up at any branch of Barclays by cash, debit or credit card or by phone using a debit or credit card. Parents needing to bale out their Gap year children will find it very useful to be able to pop into the local bank and have the funds made immediately accessible rather than bothering about bank transfers or wiring money to exotic parts of the world!
The card is free to obtain and all you need if you are a customer of Barclays is two forms of ID. If you are not a customer, you will need to see a cashier to fill in a short customer profile.
Currently the only other providers of similar cards in the UK are Virgin, Lloyds TSB and the Post Office, whilst abroad, banks in Canada and Australia offer the same type of service.
Thanks for your info. Good site!
is the chip and pin card accepted in Costa Rica.?
thankyou.