the_mandarin Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 I would like to know the opinion of different people on the best way of carrying foreign exchange to USA. Traveller's cheques have the overhead of buying/selling, which is usually in the range of 2-3% I have also come across different pre-paid cards, but most of them have a transaction fee when you try to withdraw dollars at an ATM. I did come aross one card (Escape Travel Card) which does not charge for ATM withdrawals, has no card purchase fee and no foreign exchange fee either. So I wonder where the catch is! They might be making their profits by offering a low exchange rate, maybe. Any tips, anyone? Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snook Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 I've found that just taking your credit and debit cards is the best way. I usually take a few dollars with me too, just incase, but mostly use my Visa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Expat owl Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 How much are you intending to take and/or spend. If the amount is thousands then it's good tpo look at the options. If it's less than a grand then your looking at an difference of less than £20 all in so is it really worth it ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunzi Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Nationwide charge you £1 per withdrawl and 2% of the value of Sterling you withdraw. That was one of the best deals I could find when I last looked so didn't end up changing accounts when I travelled. I would think its still competitive as Nationwide tend to be good at these sort of things in general. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_mandarin Posted April 26, 2011 Author Share Posted April 26, 2011 I've found that just taking your credit and debit cards is the best way. I usually take a few dollars with me too, just incase, but mostly use my Visa. I did consider this, but banks apply a "Dynamic Conversion rate" which means you end up losing a fair bit. And I believe cards also levy some withdawal fee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Do American shops take Switch/Maestro cards? I'd like to visit the US one day (in fact I entered a competition last week to win a trip to Florida in July), due to personal circumstances I don't have a credit card you see, only debit card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Expat owl Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Do American shops take Switch/Maestro cards? I'd like to visit the US one day (in fact I entered a competition last week to win a trip to Florida in July), due to personal circumstances I don't have a credit card you see, only debit card. No. They'll only take Visa/Mastercard. They also don't do chip & pin yet. Everything is still signed for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harleyman Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 If you need to change UK currency to US never use those Bureau de Change outlets at airports. Take the money to a bank where you will get an exchange based on the current rates and no fees charged. We used to buy travelers checks from the American Automobile Association until they started to charge a fee for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DT Ralge Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 No. They'll only take Visa/Mastercard. They also don't do chip & pin yet. Everything is still signed for. And I was a little disturbed when the waitress(e's) consistently took the card away into the back with her - but there again that's what used to happen here. I used a "cash passport" whilst over there two years ago, preloaded with dollars. I managed to keep tabs with what had been spent because of my own notes and a local automated freephone number to check periodically on the balance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harleyman Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Do American shops take Switch/Maestro cards? I'd like to visit the US one day (in fact I entered a competition last week to win a trip to Florida in July), due to personal circumstances I don't have a credit card you see, only debit card. American Express, Diners Club, Master Card and Visa are okay anywhere. Anything else might possibly be a problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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