US dollars - currency card or cash/travellers cheques?

[Zyp]

It's hard to get away from the feeling of being naked without having cash on oneself.

Like leaving your mobile at home.

[davepoth]

Same for me. Last time I went I got a credit card especially for the trip as a few places can have trouble with debit cards, but I used both without trouble. Cut up the CC and paid it off as soon as I got back again though.

[Zyp]

swerni said:

Zyp said:

Matt.. said:

Over $2k in cash?
I've never really understood why people take so much cash. Visa exchange rates are good, and you can get credit cards with no charges. Why not just take minimal amounts of cash and use cards? Surely it's somewhat less risky than carrying all that money? Would you go around with all that cash in this country?

That's a valid point about carrying so much cash.

I think I'm swaying more to using the cc for most stuff.
And as I said, my Post Office card doesn't charge for purchases so its really a no brainer.

At the moment the MasterCard exchange rate is about $1.53

You would have to be mad. Would you carry that much cash around in the UK?

I go out 4 or 5 times a year.
I normally go with $100 - $200 or what's ever left over from the last trip
Amex card
Post office credit card
Cash card and withdraw cash when I need it.

It wasn't me who says he'd have $2k cash!

I have the Platinum PO card which I use in other countries and the rate is always ok.
Which cash card do you use?

My problem is trying to persuade the Mrs that we'll be able to get cash when we need it!

[h0b0]

Super Slo Mo said:

Cashback's a bit odd in the US, their system seems to be different than ours, in that one card can be either credit or 'chequing', and I've never been able to make it

2 different types of accounts.

Credit cards in the US are credit cards. Generally you can't get cash back on credit. You can draw out money on them but you get charged a fortune in intrest.

"Checking" and "savings" are bank account types. Checking is for quick access money and has no intrest. Savings is well, savings.


As for money, we live and work in the NYC area. I like to carry some cash with me in $20s or lower. I may have $400 at any time. My wife thinks this is very out of date and only uses her credit card (but pays off in full).

Finally, HSBC are opening up all over NYC so if you have the right level of UK account they will assist you.

Personally, when traveling I take a small amount of local current to get me to the hotel from the airport and take cash out of local ATMs. This has worked in every country I have been to

[AmiableChimp]

We just got back from 2 weeks in Florida this morning.

We took roughly £600 in cash, but also took 2 pre-paid Mastercards - and pretty much paid for most things with these.

You can log onto their website and check the balance, deposits come off pretty much instantly.

The travel agent agreed to buy the remaining money back for the same as we paid for it - cuts out a lot of hassle IMO.

[5potTurbo]

In our last few holidays to the U.S. we've taken cash, usualyl split between me and my wife (€1,500 in $), plus credit and debit cards.
You'll always be charged for using ATM's, but they are everywhere.

[Matt..]

I am going for ~25 days starting this week and will be taking ~$300, a credit card, and a debit card.

[HOGEPH]

I have a Post Office credit card that is just used for US holidays.

When I get to the states, one trip to an ATM using my debit card gets me $300 cash, the bank rate usually makes up for the withdrawal charge, verses buying currency in the departure airport.

Just about everything goes on the credit card. Very few places I have to use cash.

I did try a currency card, but then you end up with money left on it, and it costs you to get it back.

[audidoody]

Caxton Dollar Card for free ATM withdrawals - ie no issuer fee although the ATM charges a buck or two). Immediate top-ups by text message. For everything else (car hire, hotel deposits etc) there is Santander Zero CC (on a direct debit so zero interest). No more than $200 in cash at any one time (with small bills for tips)

Why anyone would want to revisit the 1970's technology of cash and travellers cheques mystifies me.

Edited by audidoody on Tuesday 21st May 10:15

[Deva Link]

audidoody said:

Why anyone would want to revisit the 1970's technology of cash and travellers cheques mystifies me.

We always get USD travellers cheques from M&S but I noticed they've recently stopped doing travellers cheques altogther.

We'll spend several $K on a trip and don't want to come back to big credit card bills. I've got a debit card on a US based share trading account anyway - I could put some cash into that in advance, I suppose. I've used that fro cash-back in Wallmarts on past trips.

[irocfan]

Zyp said:

swerni said:

Zyp said:

Matt.. said:

Over $2k in cash?
I've never really understood why people take so much cash. Visa exchange rates are good, and you can get credit cards with no charges. Why not just take minimal amounts of cash and use cards? Surely it's somewhat less risky than carrying all that money? Would you go around with all that cash in this country?

That's a valid point about carrying so much cash.

I think I'm swaying more to using the cc for most stuff.
And as I said, my Post Office card doesn't charge for purchases so its really a no brainer.

At the moment the MasterCard exchange rate is about $1.53

You would have to be mad. Would you carry that much cash around in the UK?

I go out 4 or 5 times a year.
I normally go with $100 - $200 or what's ever left over from the last trip
Amex card
Post office credit card
Cash card and withdraw cash when I need it.

It wasn't me who says he'd have $2k cash!

I have the Platinum PO card which I use in other countries and the rate is always ok.
Which cash card do you use?

My problem is trying to persuade the Mrs that we'll be able to get cash when we need it!

well the mrs has decided that we'll need £2.5k for our holiday so it's all been ordered - I did make the point look lets use the card but....

Oh well, looks like the apartment safe is going to be well stocked

[telecat]

For 10 days in November I took $1000 and my Post Office Credit Card. Worked fine. Most US stores almost prefer the Credit Card and the $100 a day was enough for bits and pieces.

[audidoody]

Deva Link said:

We always get USD travellers cheques from M&S but I noticed they've recently stopped doing travellers cheques altogther.

We'll spend several $K on a trip and don't want to come back to big credit card bills. I've got a debit card on a US based share trading account anyway - I could put some cash into that in advance, I suppose. I've used that fro cash-back in Wallmarts on past trips.

Why would you be worried about a big credit card bill if you pay if off in full as soon as you get back? Leave your money in a savings account (albeit at bugger all interest), set up a DD, and the CC will be paid in full. You wouldn't pay a penny in interest. Also, you get a level of consumer protection for stuff and services you buy on a CC. Put everything on a BA or Virgin Amex card and you might get enough miles for a return trip!

Another downer on travellers cheques is having to produce passport ID every time you cash one. I'd rather leave my passport in the hotel safe.

[Deva Link]

audidoody said:

Why would you be worried about a big credit card bill if you pay if off in full as soon as you get back?

I'm not 'worried' as such. It's a bit illogical really, I suppose just that when we come back from holiday we don't want to feel like we're still paying for it.

audidoody said:

Another downer on travellers cheques is having to produce passport ID every time you cash one. I'd rather leave my passport in the hotel safe.

I leave all that stuff to my missus, but her photo driving licence works fine. Before that she used her Government ID card. We never carry our passports (although I've seen it suggested that you are supposed to if driving in the US).

Edited by Deva Link on Tuesday 21st May 17:50

[forest172]

we going next week and taking £900 worth of $ and PO Credit Card

[escargot]

I use a travelex preloaded mastercard thing to transfer currency to the states. Very simple and there are no fees for drawing cash (other than those levied by the ATM owner usually ~$2.95). I've found a few travelex ATMs nearby too and they're free to draw cash from. The exchange rate is exactly the same as that on the Travelex website so a reasonably good 'high street' rate.