Plakias Forums

Plakias => Plakias => Topic started by: compage on August 11, 2003, 08:25:12 PM

Title: Spending in Plakias
Post by: compage on August 11, 2003, 08:25:12 PM: These days, we tend to take a few Euros and then depend on the ATMs for more cash. We haven't found many places in Plakias that take credit cards.
Title: Spending in Plakias
Post by: ostraco on August 11, 2003, 11:37:51 PM: I usually take Euros - with some sterling tucked away for emergencies.

I don't rely on the ATMs - partly because they are not always available, and partly 'cause I have a paranoia about getting my card swallowed!
Title: Spending in Plakias
Post by: John R on August 12, 2003, 08:31:18 AM: Do the same as John (Ostraco) and use credit card for hire car and shop purchases. In the past I always wished I had taken all sterling and changed it there as the rates were always much better than at home. I'm now still not sure about the currency exchanging situation as with the Euro there will be fewer people changing currency now - mainly Brits and Americans - and the number of places exchanging currency may tend to decline ??.

John R
Title: Spending in Plakias
Post by: Yvonne on August 12, 2003, 08:39:02 AM: We use credit cards for car hire and also for our apartment rental ( they take cards), and then euros for the remainder. We change here in UK at Marks and Spencers as we get a good rate there pay no commision. We haven't found an exhange place in Plakias which doesn't charge commision.
Yvonne
Title: Spending in Plakias
Post by: alisos on August 12, 2003, 10:15:05 PM: Does anybody know what the exchange rate is like through the ATM's. It's so convenient to use and saves carrying cash but I wondered if you got stung on comission or interest rates. (we're off in 4 weeks today)
Title: Spending in Plakias
Post by: compage on August 13, 2003, 08:53:57 AM: Speaking of withdrawing cash with a debit card, I think that most banks do the same as ours.
That is they charge a 1.5% fee with a minimum of £1.50.
The exchange rate changes daily but but seems to be a standard, reasonably competitive rate.
Title: Spending in Plakias
Post by: Ploppy on August 13, 2003, 11:30:03 AM: We used to take Euros then panic when getting near the end of the holiday as they were running out, that meant that meals then could only be in restaurants that took credit cards in order to preserve beer money!

But now with the ATMs we are OK and can check out more restaurants.
Title: Spending in Plakias
Post by: RobM. on August 13, 2003, 12:03:15 PM: I'd say take Euro travellers cheques and some Euro's. As I have mentioned elsewhere and has been intimated above, changing £ can be tricky. Trav cheques are secure. As for commission, I personally don't worry about it - it's such a small percentage.
Title: Spending in Plakias
Post by: alisos on August 13, 2003, 10:11:31 PM: Thanks John
Title: Spending in Plakias
Post by: raward on August 21, 2003, 02:59:50 PM: How many cash points are there in Plakias - if any?
-RW
Title: Spending in Plakias
Post by: ostraco on August 21, 2003, 06:34:13 PM: 3 - nicely spaced along the seafront
Title: Spending in Plakias
Post by: Graham_and_Karen on September 23, 2003, 06:16:04 AM: I voted for Credit Card or Use ATMs before going to Plakias but having looked at the rates, I would also say it is best to take Euros. The rate I got from the two ATMs I tried was quite different (one by Alianthos better than the one just past Ostraco's - maybe because the second time I just got 20 Euro out for the last day and it cost me £16!) Neither was as good as the rate we got for the Euros purchased in the UK - 1.38 with no commission.
Title: Spending in Plakias
Post by: janm on September 23, 2003, 10:26:07 AM: We used our Nationwide debit card at the Alianthos ATM and got 1.41, and Nationwide don't charge commision for transactions abroad.
Jan
Title: Spending in Plakias
Post by: Graham_and_Karen on September 23, 2003, 01:13:32 PM: Useful info Jan - I was using a Barclays Debit card and got 1.35. Next year I will check before I go as to which is the best card to take.
Title: Spending in Plakias
Post by: sunseeker on October 21, 2005, 05:41:16 PM: Quote
Useful info Jan - I was using a Barclays Debit card and got 1.35. Next year I will check before I go as to which is the best card to take.
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Title: Spending in Plakias
Post by: Graham_and_Karen on October 21, 2005, 06:51:51 PM: Quote
Quote
Useful info Jan - I was using a Barclays Debit card and got 1.35. Next year I will check before I go as to which is the best card to take.
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a] ([url]http://index.php?[/url]act=findpost&pid=1143\")

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Thanks - but I don't know why this post suddenly appeared as new post - you can see from the date that it was posted in 2003. Since then I have got a Nationwide account and card just for use abroad. It worked a treat this year. 1.48 Euro to the pound and no charges for getting money from the ATMs in Plakias.
Title: Spending in Plakias
Post by: harribobs on October 22, 2005, 03:24:12 PM: 1.48? that's a good rate

or have i not been keeping up with the current exchange rates?
Title: Spending in Plakias
Post by: Graham_and_Karen on October 22, 2005, 06:31:35 PM: No - you are right. As a backup we bought some Euros in the UK before leaving and only got 1.40 (could have done better but probably only 1.43 at best).