Currency : ATM or Travelex

[sigur]

When i go to Orlando later this month should I take my Smile visa debit card and withdraw from ATMs over there or should I purchase my currency from Travelex before I go ?

 

[fizz13]

I would get the currency before you go. The exchange rate is much more favourable on this side of the Atlantic so more money for you, and you don't risk being charged a heavy ATM fee (unless you know your card won't get extra charges abroad). So I think get the cash at Travelex before you go, and take the card with you in case you need a back up

 

[heatherbelle]

When i go to Orlando later this month should I take my Smile visa debit card and withdraw from ATMs over there or should I purchase my currency from Travelex before I go ?

Get yourself a nationwide debit card for ATM withdrawls and a credit card for purchases. They give a better rate than travelex and don't charge for any withdrawls, unless it is a cash advance on a credit card.

 

[Groovee]

I accidently used my nationwide debit card in Target in NY last month and got 1.87 as the exchange rate and no charges. The account is my personal one and I accidently used it rather than my credit card as my mum was whinging about something and distracted me but I was chuffed with the exchange rate.

 

[TraceyL]

ATM for me- make sure you are conversant with the charges first though.

I have a First Directory account that gives me fee free withdrawals so the rate I got was much better than the Travelex rate at home. Tempted to get Nationwide accont though as the monthly fee had gone up for the FD account )

Most debit cards charge about £1.50 / 2% (whichever is greater) per transtaction

 

[Shooby doo]

Just a word of warning,we got our TC's from Travelex & they slipped in several $500 cheques- the only place that would even entertain them was WDW -JC Penneys at the Florida mall refused! So they lost out on a purchase!
SD