The dynamics of spending abroad are very different to the UK. I was doing a quick interview for the Guardian today on the cheapest way to pay when overseas, and ended up mentioning the fact I have an overseas wallet…
As is self-evident, this is a specific wallet I only use when I’m abroad; the rest of the year it sits around waiting for holidays. Am I alone in this?
The key components of the wallet:
- My Nationwide credit card. While no longer the very cheapest way to spend abroad as it’s been overtaken by the Abbey Zero, it’s still very good and not quite worth trading in for the new one (see Cheapest Way To Spend Abroad. When I travel I also add in my Debit card and a back up credit card from my normal wallet.
- MY EHIC card. This is the card which entitles you to reciprocal health care when in any EU country and Switzerland. See Cheap Travel Insurance.
- Contact details for my travel insurance. I’ve an annual travel policy, and keep the basic details and contact number in the wallet.
- Euros and Dollars. Most times I need to travel its either to Europe or the US. Thus rather than changing what few notes (normally less than £50 equivalent worth) I have back at the end of a trip and take a massive hit on rate and fee… I simply keep them for use next time.
- No loyalty cards. Most loyalty cards can’t be used overseas, so for once you get to carry a nice light wallet…
If you have one, what do you keep in yours?