Cash or card

Ever since we started visiting France my OH has spent the preceding months changing sterling for francs and euros. The reasons for this was simply to

a)     exchange when the rate was favourable

b)     avoid returning home to a hefty credit card bill

c)    spread the cost over the year

d)    avoid charges for exchange overseas

The downside was we hoarded sizeable sums of foreign cash at home  and then carried said cash to our various destinations.  Worried about security we had a safe installed in the van and hid wedges of cash about the caravan, car and our person. (this does have the benefit of uncovering cash long forgotten as we, in our dotage, have discovered).

The source of our foreign currency has varied as OH searches for the best exchange rate. On her latest visit the counter staff at the post office asked where we were bound and OH explained the system upon which the PO lady asked if we considered the P.O. travel card plus

The card is not a credit card, you pre load it with foreign currency as and when you want over the counter or on line, ( if you know what your doing!)  You then use it like any debit card whilst you have the funds pre-loaded. Apparently Travel Money Card Plus has been voted 'Best new prepaid card of the year' at the Card and Payment awards 2012.

Seemed a good idea and safe so we signed up and started preloading with euros.

Being Yorkshire born and bred though I have begun to wonder. My card from the local PO does not carry my name. OH’s, obtained on line, does. A minor point but….?

Has anyone got a P.O. money card plus and actually used it abroad yet? Any problems especially with cards without names?