Money - South America
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm going to South America this summer, but not sure what to do about money...
Do I get one of those pre-pay cards from the Post Office that act like a debit card? Do places actually accept this?
Do I take travellers' cheques? A bit old hat and s
t?
Ideally I want a Santander Zero account, but they need 1000 into the account each month and some sort of savings account with them too which I just can't do since I'm a student.
My Natwest current account will end up costing me a few hundred quid in withdrawals/spending over a couple of months, so would obviously like to avoid this if possible!
All suggestions welcome!
TIA
I'm going to South America this summer, but not sure what to do about money...
Do I get one of those pre-pay cards from the Post Office that act like a debit card? Do places actually accept this?
Do I take travellers' cheques? A bit old hat and s
t?Ideally I want a Santander Zero account, but they need 1000 into the account each month and some sort of savings account with them too which I just can't do since I'm a student.
My Natwest current account will end up costing me a few hundred quid in withdrawals/spending over a couple of months, so would obviously like to avoid this if possible!
All suggestions welcome!
TIA
Take your debit card - provided you are in town you'll find plenty of cash machines that work. Factoring in the more or less constant pickpocket risk it'll substantially reduce your exposure. Try and keep something back at the hotel (credit card) just in case the worst happens and you get robbed. Get a savings account, leave a couple of hundred in the current account, and then top it up by internet at the hotel.
what he says.
You'll want to pay with cash 90% of the time as it'll be cheaper, similarly, take a mixture of dollars and local currency. Take the money you need out for the day and leave the cards at the Hotel / Money belt etc. Have a small amount in your accessible pocket, but bigger monies hidden.
HSBC Premier is free from withdrawl fee (although they charge a 2.75% conversion charge). Smile are the same for Credit Cards
You'll want to pay with cash 90% of the time as it'll be cheaper, similarly, take a mixture of dollars and local currency. Take the money you need out for the day and leave the cards at the Hotel / Money belt etc. Have a small amount in your accessible pocket, but bigger monies hidden.
HSBC Premier is free from withdrawl fee (although they charge a 2.75% conversion charge). Smile are the same for Credit Cards
As above, take a stash of dollars and then just use ATMs with a card. Just view the fees as part of the cost of travelling.
Make sure you have a fair stash of notes before entering Bolivia if you go there, compared to Peru, Chile and Argentina it's a bit harder to find a cash machine that dispenses.
Make sure you have a fair stash of notes before entering Bolivia if you go there, compared to Peru, Chile and Argentina it's a bit harder to find a cash machine that dispenses.
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