Has anyone used one of these new travel agent's pre-paid travel card as promoted by the Co-op, Going Places and I'm sure the other major outlets also?

I hear you can load your spending money (either sterling, dollars or euros) beforehand and then draw your money out at any atms abroad. The travel agent suggests that I should load it with sterling if I am going to Goa and there are at least 2 atms in Calangute (one being citibank; I not sure whether the other one is in the Bank of India). There is a £2.50 charge each time you use it though although it seems you do get comparable protection as you would if you are using traveller's cheques.

I know that there is no charges if you have a Nationwide card but for the sake of convenience of getting one straight away it might not be too bad. I'm told also the service is free if you want cashback or if you make a visa purchase. You just insert your card into the atm, enter your pin number and withdraw the desired amount in rupees.

Last year my friend went to Goa and I kept him updated regularly as to the latest exchange rate of the rupee compared to the pound and there was a major disparity between my figure and the ones he's been offered when he's trying to change sterling or travellers checks. If you are changing a small amount it may be matter much but if you are changing £50 or so at a time the difference is very apparent. It's hardly an wonder why they don't offer you a fee when they change your currency.