Holidaymakers preparing for a trip to the US this summer can make the most of their spending money by loading dollars onto an Escape Travel Money pre-paid MasterCard in advance of their trip

Economists are predicting grim times ahead for the pound, with sterling expected to slump against the dollar and other leading currencies over the next few months.

Savvy Escape Travel Money customers are ideally placed to play the markets. As well as offering exchange rates that beat those available on the high street, all money loaded on the card is held safely and securely until it’s needed.

Experts have suggested the value of the pound will fall as a result of the struggling UK economy – meaning you could get fewer dollars to the pound later in the year. Investment bank Morgan Stanley has warned the pound could fall to below $1.50 by the end of 2011.

Escape Travel Money – the travellers’ pre-paid card from EZPay Ltd, part of the Phones4U Group – gives users the opportunity to load currency at better-than-high-street rates before they head abroad. The card can then be used fee-free to shop abroad or withdraw money from an ATM without charge.

Paul Smith, EZPay managing director, said: “Holidaymakers are used to preparing for their breaks by buying clothes and sunscreen, but often get their holiday money at the last minute. Buying dollars now locks in today’s exchange rate rather than leaving it to chance.

The Escape Travel Money card can be used in over 30 million MasterCard locations worldwide and users can also gain access to a range of attractive money-back offers.

For more information and to start saving money when travelling aboard please visit www.escapetravelmoneycard.com.