The right mix for USA

[jr6yam]

I'm going to the states in a couple of weeks, and I'm wondering whether to
take just cash or a mix of cash/travellers cheques?
Will I get a better exchange rate in the bureau de change out there?

[cjs]

Take some cash and take a debit & credit card.

[jr6yam]

Will be taking the credit card because we have to leave a deposit at one of the hotels

[fatboy b]

We went in June. Two of us took $1000 cash between us + cards. We put some meals on cards as well as hotels and plane rental and ended up getting more cash too.

[Crafty_]

Depends where you are going - places like Orlando no problem with Travellers Cheques, everywhere will accept them. Other areas you may have to rely on the hotel cashing them for you, which most will do but they often limit the amount per day they will cash for you.

If yo do buy travellers cheques make sure there are American Express ones, some places will only accept the AMEX ones, I'm told due to a scam with other issuers a while ago. Obviously keep a register of the registration numbers separately from the money and mark off ones you use - if the worst happens you need those numbers to claim back!

You can get these prepay cards as well - never used one mainly because experiences of them are very mixed - they don't work in some places, sometimes in places they should work they don't (seen this first hand).

If you are taking/using cards check out any charges or loaded exchange rates.

[Matt Harper]

fatboy b said:

We went in June. Two of us took $1000 cash between us + cards. We put some meals on cards as well as hotels and plane rental and ended up getting more cash too.

You rented a plane? How flash.

[fatboy b]

Matt Harper said:

fatboy b said:

We went in June. Two of us took $1000 cash between us + cards. We put some meals on cards as well as hotels and plane rental and ended up getting more cash too.

You rented a plane? How flash.

Just out side Chicago. Here's one of the many photos the O/H took as we flew about....

[timberman]

Went last year and took cash ( $1600 ) + credit card (Halifax clarity)
Got best exchange rate on card + no charges, then just paid card off when we got back
My reccomendation would be to take a small amount of cash + clarity card or similar ( I believe there are a few that don't make charges for using them abroad ).

[ChrisBMW]

Get a pre paid travel card, most big travel agents do them then just load it up with dollars.

Best way to take money on holiday IMO, been all over the states and never found anyone who didnt accept them pretty much like any visa or MasterCard.

[Matt..]

I only ever take a max of £200 (inc $ equivalent) to the US (i usually go for 3 weeks or so). A card is much easier most of the time! I don't really see the need for taking anywhere near $1k of cash, let alone over that!

[h0b0]

I live in the US and would guess I spend less than $200 a month in cash and everything else goes on cards. My wife never uses cash. In NYC even the cabs take cards. I would just take a credit card with no charges on international purchases. You can get cash out of an ATM so if needed find out how much the bank charges for that. I found the exchange rates were from cards was better than changing cash for cash. I have travelled the world and it has been 20 years since I used travelers checks outside of work.

[Truckosaurus]

ChrisBMW said:

Get a pre paid travel card, most big travel agents do them then just load it up with dollars.

Best way to take money on holiday IMO, been all over the states and never found anyone who didnt accept them pretty much like any visa or MasterCard.

This... You can also get pre-paid cards from CaxtonFX and FairFX online. Just use your normal credit card for reserving hotel rooms and hire cars otherwise you'll tie up your pre-paid money with deposits.

[davepoth]

I'm booking up a trip in October and the credit card rate is better than the Bureau de Change for me too. Don't bother with cash except for incidental expenses.