Cash? Travellers Cheques? Visa? Debit? HELP!

[AJ1983]

Hey everyone! Leaving for Orlando on Monday morning (woo hoo!) and I was wondering if I can use my RBC bank card for Interac payments, or at the very least, withdraw from an ATM? Also, will I incur any crazy international charges/fees?

What about RBC Visa cards? Is there a charge for use?

Just trying to decide whether what method of payment is best? I have a fair bit of American cash-should I convert to travellers cheques?

 

[dennise]

I have never had a problem with either cards. Some stores won't take the debit but you can always withdraw cash at the machines. I am not sure of the charges for using the cards, but I just checked my visa and for a $259. carental it converted to $274. This could be in part to the exchange rate. I usually use cash and travellers cheques, neither have ever been refused.

 

[iluveeyore]

Are you staying at WDW? They don't accept debit in the parks or DTD, but there is an ATM machine at each resort, and both my TD debit and RBC debit work at those machines. We have taken travelers cheques before, but usually just travel with cash that we divide between us while travelling, and then use our resort room safe to put our cash/passports in for the trip, taking out enough for each day. Or you can put a credit card on your room key for expenses.

 

[mamaCta]

We plan on using our Mastercard for pretty much everything, but we do that already anyway.
CCs charge an extra 2.5% on top of the exchange rate, but we decided it was worth it for two reasons:
1. We are already paying that when we shop online and don't even notice
2. Say you are going to spend $5000 on your vacation. That's only $125 in extra fees. I'm fine with that to avoid trying to cash travellers cheques and look for debit machines.

We will also take out some cash so that we don't have to use the card for every little transaction. The kids are getting Disney gift cards for their spending money.

 

[CerysG]

Myself I try to use cash as much as possible but when I don't I just use my Mastercard. They don't seem to use debit cards down there like we do. Someone told me its because they have so many banks it makes it difficult, while in Canada we really one have a few in comparison. It's such a pain when your use to using it all the time. Most hotels have safes so I don't mind bringing more cash then I would usually carry and just put it in the safe with the passports, the stuff I really don't want to get stolen! I expect that credit card is the easiest thing to use though as most places take them.

 

[AJ1983]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Malakaiii]

I would add - Call RBC before you leave home and tell them where you're going and how long you'll be there. If they see a string of unusual transactions on your Visa card they may suspend it which can be a pain if you're on vacation!

 

[Northstar]

You can use your bank card to withdraw money from an ATM. You'll pay a service fee (about $2.00 for us most of the time) so it's good to withdraw a chunk of cash at one time and then pay cash.

Most U.S. point of sale terminals aren't set up for the Interac network, in my experience, so our debit system doesn't usually work in retail places.

Travellers' cheques are okay, but not many retail places will take them anymore, so like Interac debit, it's not as useful for paying for incidentals. I cash travellers' cheques at my hotel or at a bank, then use the cash.

Definitely tell the bank you're going to travel. You can do it in online banking at RBC. There's a pull-down menu from the top when you're logged in to your account.

 

[jpessa]

At ATMs you will be charged that banks 's fee (like $2), then RBC will charge you $5 for a transaction in a foreign country. I would only hit the ATM once and get what you want /need then pay Visa the rest of the time. They will charge you 2.5% on top of the exchange rate, but they do that everywhere. Don't bother with travelers cheques.

 

[Northstar]

At ATMs you will be charged that banks 's fee (like $2), then RBC will charge you $5 for a transaction in a foreign country. I would only hit the ATM once and get what you want /need then pay Visa the rest of the time. They will charge you 2.5% on top of the exchange rate, but they do that everywhere. Don't bother with travelers cheques.

I think this must depend on the type of account you have with RBC. I know I've never paid an extra fee on top of the ATM banking fee, so it must be included in my regular account fees.

 

[pampam]

We use travelers cheques.

One trip, I lost my Amex TCs about an hour after we got there. It was just like the commercial. We had them replaced the next morning. The only thing I lost was a nights sleep. I will not leave home without them.

 

[AJ1983]

I think this must depend on the type of account you have with RBC. I know I've never paid an extra fee on top of the ATM banking fee, so it must be included in my regular account fees.

Yes it does, because she had to check that before telling me it was usually about a $3 ATM fee to withdraw, so like pp said, she said withdraw alot at a time if I have to. I have VIP banking with RBC, so I pay no fees, unless its beyond their control, like ATM fees. A $3 fee is worth it to not carry around alot of cash