Cash or buy forex card – what is your pick travellers?

Most travelers went with a prepaid forex card, at least the vote was in the favour of 60 – 40.

I was recommended the option of purchase from banks, travel companies, agents and even a private online player, a forex dealer like

The advantages to Buy Forex Card is as follows:

Low risk

Now the forex card to some extent eliminates the risk associated with credit or debit cards as it is not linked to my bank account at all.

Old and outdated currencies

Even better, you don’t have to run around at the last minute heading to the bank or calling a travel agent and negotiate 50paise and 75 paisa from a local dealer. These days, currencies are either old or outdated

Get a replacement card

It is as innocuous as another card, so now along with pan card, voters card, lifestyle card. You can add this one too. But a replacement spare card is also issued with my primary card in case of loss or theft. This can be activated by calling the 24 hour customer care while you can block the old one.

Recharge on the go

You are a shopaholic then, you can keep reloading on the go by just recharging the amount required.

Availing supplementary benefits

Most of the prepaid Forex cards come with supplementary benefits like health insurance coverage. Almost 90% of the cards offer an emergency cash service; when you are in dire need of money, the card will definitely come handy. Also, in case you have lost the card or the card is stolen, the supplementary card will be shipped to your location. And once you return home after your holiday and you have some amount of cash left in your card, you can return it to the issuer at current rate.

However, leaving cash out is not always a good idea. I collect coins and rare currencies and one needs some quick change for stamps and postcards and of course for a cup of coffee. I would not want to withdraw cash from the ATM unless its an absolute emergency, considering there are charges applicable as well. But I still think To Buy forex has become an important travel accessory.