Advice needed: Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia
Mar 24th, 2013, 12:30 AM
#23
Join Date: May 2004
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Tom, i havent used the caxtonfx card but it is very similar to the www.fairfx.com cards i acquired several months ago and have been using ever since. The main advantage is the exchange rate used which is better than any I hav seen but they also provide a measure of protection if stolen as they do not provide access to your main account. www.travelex.co.uk also offer a similar card but the rates seem marginally less competitive. I checked the rates today and Fairfx offer marginally better rates than Caxton and Travelex, who offer similar cards.. Fairfx uses the MasterCard wholesale forex rate with a 1.2% charge on its £ card per withdrawal. Many bank cards will use a MasterCard or Visa " retail rate with a 2.75% charge! I was talking with a friend here in Spain last week, I got €1.15 to the £ , he got €1.05 using HSBC!
It is worth acquiring a second card for you or your partner, just in case one is lost or stolen.
It is worth acquiring a second card for you or your partner, just in case one is lost or stolen.
Mar 24th, 2013, 11:47 AM
#24
tompreston,
Regarding the malarone vs doxycycline decision...of course, the decision should be made with your doctor, but since you're asking, I'll share my experience.
Both my husband and I took malarone on our recent trip to India and had absolutely no side effects from the medication. He had taken doxycycline some years ago prior to one trip and was highly sensitive to sun, burning easily. We were fortunate that our health insurance picked it up, but we had already decided to buy the malarone out-of-pocket. I think it was going to cost us about $150 for a month's prescription.
So the malarone worked out well.
Regarding the malarone vs doxycycline decision...of course, the decision should be made with your doctor, but since you're asking, I'll share my experience.
Both my husband and I took malarone on our recent trip to India and had absolutely no side effects from the medication. He had taken doxycycline some years ago prior to one trip and was highly sensitive to sun, burning easily. We were fortunate that our health insurance picked it up, but we had already decided to buy the malarone out-of-pocket. I think it was going to cost us about $150 for a month's prescription.
So the malarone worked out well.
Mar 24th, 2013, 11:54 PM
#25
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I have taken doxycyline and Malarone ( and Mefloquine for that matter) and didn't experience any side effects with any part from Mefloquine which seemed to cause a few weird, but pleasant dreams! Drugs affect everyone to some extent and in different ways so it is essential you visit your GP or travel clinic for guidance. .
I am just about to buy supplies fora trip to South America and decided upon doxycyline mainly on cost grounds as we are on a long trip.
In the UK, some Superdrug shops have specialist travel clinics and I found them to be the least expensive for Doxycyline at £15 for 50 tablets ( no prescription needed) Malarone, which would be my drug of choice was £2.75 to £3.20 per tablet. You need to call for an appointment. As for other vaccinations etc. check with your GP as some are provide free on the NHS but some GPs will charge £10 for a private prescription for malaria tabs
I am just about to buy supplies fora trip to South America and decided upon doxycyline mainly on cost grounds as we are on a long trip.
In the UK, some Superdrug shops have specialist travel clinics and I found them to be the least expensive for Doxycyline at £15 for 50 tablets ( no prescription needed) Malarone, which would be my drug of choice was £2.75 to £3.20 per tablet. You need to call for an appointment. As for other vaccinations etc. check with your GP as some are provide free on the NHS but some GPs will charge £10 for a private prescription for malaria tabs
