Re: First Directory
- From: "Andy Pandy" <spam8times@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2005 20:15:19 -0000
"LJE" <SpamNot@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:w%_if.6079$LO4.2819@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> First Direct are offering First Directory banking with a range of
> benefits for £9.50 per month with a minimum sign up of 12 twelve months.
> If you join before 31 December there is a £20 cash back which means
> the year's membership will actually cost £94. One of the main benefits
> is a comprehensive worldwide travel insurance policy covering the whole
> family (provided by Norwich Union).
>
> We (a family of 2 adults and 2 children) are planning a two week
> holiday in Canada next year, as we have never been further than France
> before, could any clued up, well traveled person tell me please if it
> would be worth us taking out the First Directory offer for the travel
> insurance offered- as I have no idea what a stand alone policy would
> cost....
You'll probably find it's a similar amount - but check exactly what's covered
and excesses, conditions etc.
Also it may be worth checking what you're covered for already, I found that my
work medical insurance plus my house insurance covered the majority of risks
that any travel insurance would cover, and what wasn't covered didn't bother me
(eg cancellation), so I've ditched my annual travel insurance.
> oh yes - and we would get free cash withdrawals abroad (through
> Cirrus, whoever they are, and are their machines widely available in
> Canada?)
Almost certainly, I've never had problem using any of my bank cards abroad.
But - First Direct still charge an exchange rate markup of 2.75% (IIRC), you
won't avoid this charge. You just avoid the 1.5% fee on top. You're better off
opening a Nationwide flex account and using that for your holiday cash
withdrawals. I use FD as my main account but a Nationwide account for foreign
trips - it's saved me a fortune over the years.
> and commission free travel money.
>
> Any advice welcome!
Don't bother getting any currency in advance - presuming you are flying into a
major airport there'll almost certainly be several ATMs. You could always take a
bit in GBP in case of the highly unlikely event of you not being able to find a
working one - and change it at an exchange desk at their airport. People often
seem reluctant to arrive in a foreign country without currency, but I've done it
dozens of times now and never had a problem finding an ATM.
The rec travel.* groups are excellent places for travel advice:
rec.travel.usa-canada in your case.
--
Andy
.
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