Tesco Launches Travel Money Card With Free Replacement For Emergencies

The chip and pin Tesco Travel Money Card comes with a free second “emergency” card, meaning if the original card is stolen, the second can be activated for instant access to funds.

Unlike similar products from other companies, Tesco does not charge fees for card issue, loading, commission, foreign purchase or even a monthly administration fee.

A study of holiday money habits commissioned by Tesco Personal Finance to mark the launch shows that despite the current uncertain economic times, many holidaymakers are not budgeting for how much they will spend once they reach their holiday destination. Sixty three per cent of those surveyed said they are not setting daily limits for their spending on holiday abroad.

The study, involving 2,000 British travellers, also found the instance of theft to be worryingly common, with 9% of Brits having had their wallet/purse stolen while abroad. It is a particular issue for young people, with twenty three per cent of travellers aged 18 and under having been a victim. 

More than 7% of those surveyed said that they had had items stolen from hotel safe or room deposit boxes.

Some tourists are resorting to unusual measures to outwit pickpockets. In the study, 4% admitted to carrying money in their underwear, while one in ten said that -- despite the accessory having gone out of fashion in the late Eighties -- they still use a “bum bag” to reduce the risk. 

The Tesco Travel Money Card can be used abroad at more than 24 million locations – anywhere there is a MasterCard acceptance logo.

Sourced by www.moneysupermarket.com   17/6/08.

Please note other fees may apply

“We want to offer our customers a smart, safe way to access funds abroad,” says Yvonne Byrne from Tesco Personal Finance. “We’re confident that the card is the best value product on the market, and given the rising cost of overseas travel, every little helps.”

For further information, please contact:

Ra Fletcher
Haggie Hepburn
Tel: 020 7334 7777 / 0751 8898 087

Notes to editors

·         Tesco does not charge fees for card issue, loading, commission, foreign purchase or even a monthly administration fee

·         Customers receive a free second card for use in emergency, if the first card is stolen (second card is not activated until stolen card is deactivated)

·         Customers can top up the Travel Money Card both in the UK and abroad, by phone, SMS or online

·         OnePoll carried out an online poll of 2,000 British travellers between Wednesday 25^th and Monday 30^th June, 2008

·         High resolution images are available for the media to view and download free of charge from Visual Media

Tesco Personal Finance

Tesco Personal Finance Limited is a joint venture between The Royal Bank of Scotland plc and Tesco PLC. Tesco Personal Finance Limited. Registered in Scotland No. 173199. Registered Office: 24 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH2 1AF.

Tesco Compare

Tesco Personal Finance Compare Limited is a part of the Tesco Personal Finance Group, a joint venture between The Royal Bank of Scotland plc and Tesco PLC. Tesco Personal Finance Compare Limited. Registered in Scotland No.SC318925. Registered Office: 24 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 1AF.

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Tesco Travel Money Cards can be ordered online at http://www.tescofinance.com/