Cash, travellers cheques, credit card?

[steve_rob]

You can use a Switch card as long as it has a Maestro or Cirrus symbol somewhere on it (as that's what the card is known by in other countries). However, there is a charge of 2 - 3% per transaction, much like on a credit card.

Even when you take into account the add-on charges, credit cards do (just) work out as the best exchange rate compared to TC's and cash according to a recent survey I saw (think it was on Watchdog or something similar). However, if you withdraw cash from an ATM using a credit card, they advised you to draw out MORE than $150 at a time as many CC's had minimum commission levels - drawing out three lots of $50 cost about £2 more than 1 x $150 when you got back home to your statement.

Personally I take mainly cash and put all big purchases on the old CC. I take what I need out of the room safe every day - one, so I don't overspend and two, so if I do lose it or (god forbid) get my wallet nicked, I've lost $100 max.

In a similar vein, for the trip out I put some of my cash in my suitcase, some in my hand luggage and the rest on my person, so that if any bags go missing, I've still got something to spend.

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

We usually take TC's and a small amount of cash for the first day and CC's for emergencies only.

I don't worry about the buy back rate as we always spend the lot. Any loose change we leave for the maid - sometimes up to $30 worth!! We usually only come back with disney dollars or the odd $1 bill.

I don't know how everyone else feels, but I always feel that the minute you I get off the plane I wish I had brought more money.......and this trip we are taking £2000 hopefully, all in TC's or cash, having bought our passes before we go.

Cath