Cash, travellers cheques, credit card?

[ali5on]

Can anyone advise me on how much cash and travellers cheques, as a proportion of our total spend we should take on our forthcoming holiday? It's our first trip to Florida.

We have a Mastercard and propose to use it for convenience and to help spread the cost. I presume it will be accepted at most places. But we shall still obviously need cash and travellers cheques. I've read that many places take TCs as cash; does this work in practice?

By the way, I picked up our travel tickets this morning (we're off on the 22nd March), and I'm so excited!!

 

[Janice]

Hi Alison Welcome to the UK DIs.

You will find that TC's are accepted almost everywhere in Orlando and WDW. The only exception I think, may be the vendor stalls around the parks, where they sell Cola's, Ice Cream's, Donut's, Fruit and that sort of stuff. Everywhere else take them without any problem. It might be advisable to try and get lower denominations if you can as this is a lot easier. We have only ever been asked for ID when changing up a $100 TC once, and that was at Downtown Disney. Otherwise we have never been asked for ID in all the 6 visits.

I prefer TC's to cash initially as it is safer, but I do always recommend that you try to get some dollar bills for your immediate use when you arrive, and some loose change is handy for the tolls on your trip from the airport to your hotel/villa and for any tips around the airport. Tipping is quite acceptable (and often expected) in the US - so to have some $1 bills at the ready is worth noting. Plus you have to pay for the trolleys at Orlando Intl. (Cant rememebr if you have to at Sanford, sorry).

We also used our CC (extensively! LOL) and again, they are acceptable at most places without any problems. One other tip - advise your CC company that you are travelling to the USA. They should then make a note on your file to expect $$ transactions. There have been cases where people's CC have been refused because of 'unexpected transactions' - this would save you any embarassing refusals on your card.

We are two adults and I usually take about £1200.00 - £1000 in TC's and £200 in Cash. Also any loose change left from previous holiday. Then CC's at the ready

If you have an American Express card, this sometimes affords you extra discounts in WDW as it is the 'accepted' card at Disney. Might be worth looking into if you think you might be having a spend up at World of Disney in Downtown.

Have fun - as it is your first time, you are in for a wonderful, amazing time!
Let us know how you enjoy it when you get home.



Hope this all helps, if you need any more info - just ask away.

 

[Mpet]

It's really a matter of personal preference and how extravagant you think you will be. Also whether you have pre-purchased Park passes.

We usually take about £1200 (4 of us) - split between TC's and cash. I usually take about £500 in cash. TCs are as good as cash in any shop/restaurant, but I usually take more cash as I usually have to dish out the dollars to DS & DD for 'pocket money'.

I use my Credit Card for shopping if funds are looking a little low, or on large purchases.

Maxine

 

[SidB]

Just got back from Orlando. We found traveller's cheques were always accepted although some shops displayed signs saying they wouldn't accept any over $20. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere and you can add the tip in restaurants, which can be handy. Get your hands on some $1 bills as they're useful for tips, ice creams, snacks etc. Something worth mentioning is that you should leave a dollar a day in the hotels for the maid. Be warned that you'll more than likely get charged for using an ATM.

The bottom line is that whatever amount you take it'll never be enough. The shopping opportunities are amazing.

 

[neo's white rabbit]

Originally posted by Janice


We also used our CC (extensively! LOL) and again, they are acceptable at most places without any problems. One other tip - advise your CC company that you are travelling to the USA. They should then make a note on your file to expect $$ transactions. There have been cases where people's CC have been refused because of 'unexpected transactions' - this would save you any embarassing refusals on your card.

This is extremely good advice on Janice's part. Bit of a personal bee in my bonnet on this one! At some point last year most cc companies seem to have implemented a system whereby if you start using your card abroad they either decline the sale outright or ask the shop or whatever to phone for verification.

In France they won't call. Period. Not sure about the US where they don't even look at your signature in my experience!

I love getting home to ansaphone messages asking me to call them and then asking if I was abroad. Well, duh, yes - unable to access my money thanks! Not so bad on a day trip but mightly annoying if you're abroad, don't have a number to call yourself and have just, say, eaten the meal or slept in the hotel room!

I don't mind if they want to up security - just wish they'd told customers so we knew to call first not be landed abroad and in a mess.

And, why the presumption that it's only foreign transactions which are suspect? Do all robbers immediately hot foot it to sunnier climates these days?

OK, rant over

As to how much to take - lots! You'll be tempted beyond measure by the shopping!! I've applied for an interest free until Oct card that I intend using for our trip in May. That way I can spread the cost and pay the balance off over the interest free period.

 

[ali5on]

Thanks to you all for your valuable comments.
This is such a great board - everyone is so helpful and friendly!

Ali

 

[Kaslee]

We took FAR too much in T Cheques. We really lost a lot due to the difference in exchange rate when we changed them back.

Note the difference between sell and buy rates when you get them to see how much you could lose if you dont spend them all.

The rate of exchange used on our credit card bill was excellent compared with the cash and cheque rates.

This time we will be using the cards much more and only taking a few cheques and cash.

Kay

 

[mike230652]

I'd very much agree with Kaslee.

We actually joined Amex specifically for our last Florida trip. Took some cash ( $$ ) but used the card almost exclusively. We were delighted at the exchange rate when we got the bill, and no messing with commissions either end of the journey.

............and as Janice pointed out you get discounts in WDW with Amex, we got 10% off our Illuminations Cruise and quite a few 5% discounts.

 

[Peebee]

Another vote for credit cards Alison. Probably not something you will have time for this trip, but might want to look at in the future is Nationwide's Visa card. This has no commission charge for foreign exchange transactions, whereas the likes of Barclaycard add 2.75% to your bill.

I got one about 2 years ago specifically for travel abroad and have been very pleased with it - so much so that we take a lot less cash and TCs these days.

Paul

 

[neo's white rabbit]

I'd agree. I've not taken TC's to the US in years, just cc's and cash.

Don't forget to have a note of the international phone numbers for lost and stolen cards with you and keep that info someplace different to the cc's

 

[SidB]

Aren't we missing out on the security issues here. TC's are easily replaceable (so I'm told), cash isn't. I'd take a combination and if you have more than one, leave a CC in the safe. Also leave some cash there too. I've not been in the position but being cashless and CCless in a foreign country must be a nightmare.

 

[Enright78]

We never take TCs now, rely on CCs and cash from machines. The charges are minimal and we avoid carrying a lot of cash about that way. DH and I carry different cards so if one loses bag/purse we still have an operating CC. This has never happened (cross fingers) despite DH habit of leaving his wallet in odd places. Strangely , as DD says, he always leaves it somewhere where he can be sure people are trustworthy, ie Magic Kingdom and a "peace" shop in San Francisco where both times it was returned intact!

 

[Hilary]

If you have an American Express card, this sometimes affords you extra discounts in WDW as it is the 'accepted' card at Disney.

I'm almost certain that the link-up between Disney and Amex has come to an end (or will be shortly). However, I can't remember where I heard/saw about this, so will try to check.

 

[Kaslee]

I like this thread, you have me thinking now so I just rang the local Amex office and checked the rates

Their selling rate for TC is 1.5468 ie you get $154.68 for £100

BUT

Their buy back rate for the same TC is 1.7082 so if you sell them the $154.68 you just paid £100 for you only get back £90.55
A loss of nearly 10% is a bit too much for me.

The best advice is to take some TCs for the security, but make sure you spend them before coming home (shouldn't be too hard, shopping is great )

Kay

 

[SidB]

So what's the best way not to get screwed for every penny by the banks ?

Exchanging cash with 0% commission. Who are they kidding ? The same applies to TC's.
Credit cards use exchange rates which always mean you pay a premium. The CC companies get a % from the retailers, so we're all getting screwed twice !

Sorry if I sound annoyed but I've got a bee in my bonnet about Rip Off Britain (ROB seems appropriate).

 

[Hellie]

I always use TCs, I normally take £1,000 and about £200 in cash, don't have to worry about the buy back rate as I never have any money left to bring back - LOL Gary takes about the same and then gives me money for the last few days when I don't have any money, so he goes home pennyless as well.

 

[Kaslee]

SidB

Wish I knew!!! Also wish I'd known last trip how much I'd lose by taking £1000 TCs too much "just in case" . Of course I didnt need anywhere near as much as I took and we lost about £100 on the buy back rate. ROB is right, I could have cried.

At least this time I go I have saved a lot by watching these boards. I hope to save a lot more on the tickets for the parks by buying online from Ticketmania as suggested on the boards and watching out for any other tips anyone can offer. I dont hold out much hope for making savings on the currency!!!

Kay

 

[neo's white rabbit]

OK, I have a question about TC's - as the last time I had any was 1975 or thereabouts! Do they have expiry dates?

I only ask as most of you seem to go back to Orlando, if not the USA, regularly. I never change any $ cash back to £'s and just use it for the next trip as I'm there about 3 times a year on average. Is that not an option to avoid losing vast amounts of dosh? Depends how much you come back with I suppose, I don't have any trouble spending money over there

I think we're all ticked off with R.O.B.

 

[floridalol]

We always take TC + Cash but never change them back because they last forever! Also we both take our CC so there is never a problem. We like £2000 in TC, £500 in cash plus we use the cards because it so convenient and we normally purchase our theme park tickets with the CC because for some reason it always works out cheaper than pre-purchasing them in this country.

 

[Rain]

You have given me some ideas there, I always take too many travellers cheques and lose money in the exchange.
Can you use a switch card in the US?