Exchanging English Money?

[Girlsontour]

We normally take all our money in travellers cheques dollars but after numerous years of being stung by charges when we have brought them back, unspent, i was thinking of taking the majority of money in TC but about £200 in English money. Could i exchange this at the hotel (i am staying on-site)?

 

[Kycha]

I don't know if you can exchange at the hotel, but you can definitely do it at the airport.

 

[heatherbelle]

Rather than taking all that English money, why don't you get yourself a nationwide credit card. They don't charge for purchases abroad, and you get the official currency exchange rate not the tourist rate.

We did this last year and it worked out really well. I used the credit card for all of our meals in resturants, at walmart and for petrol. I used the TC in the parks etc.

This year, I'm doing the same thing and only taking $600, the rest will go on the card, as you get a better rate of exchange than buying travellers cheques or currency.

Also get yourself a debit card. They don't charge for taking cash out of the cash machines either.

 

[tartangirl]

Rather than taking all that English money, why don't you get yourself a nationwide credit card. They don't charge for purchases abroad, and you get the official currency exchange rate not the tourist rate.

We did this last year and it worked out really well. I used the credit card for all of our meals in resturants, at walmart and for petrol. I used the TC in the parks etc.

This year, I'm doing the same thing and only taking $600, the rest will go on the card, as you get a better rate of exchange than buying travellers cheques or currency.

Also get yourself a debit card. They don't charge for taking cash out of the cash machines either.

Couldn't agree more - we take about $100 and just use the Nationwide Credit and Debit cards exactly as we would in this country.

I dont use the Nationwide cards over here as we have better cards for the UK, we got them specifically for using abroad (or buying from abroad) and they are wonderful - best exchange rate you'll get.

Before leaving we take money from the cash machines at the airport for our next holiday to save us having to exchange money over here.

Why get caught up in travellers cheques and guessing how much to take - just move money into your Nationwide Flexaccount before going and then use the cards as you would in this country. On return you can move money back out the Flexaccount (leaving £1 to keep the account open).

 

[paulh]

i agree with heatherbelle get yourself a a nationwide CC and a nationwide flex account so you can get money at the bank rates with no charge.To get cash from the machine go to a publix and there will be no fee for using there machines but if you have to use outher hole in the walls work on a $2.00 fee.You can remove in $ the amount you can in £ at home so if its a £250.00 limit at home it would be $435.00 at todays rate of $1.74 per £1.even if the machine charges you $2.00 works out at $1.732 to the £1.00 beter than the tourist rate of $1.6849 which is offered today.We buy on CC and get cash when we need it and take $500.00 to start us of at beginning
Paulh
i know publix have free machines as we used them last august

 

[tartangirl]

if you have to use outher hole in the walls work on a $2.00 fee

I've never been charged for using any machine in the US (and I've used a few including those around the parks and shopping malls) - perhaps it's the same as over here where some ATMs charge (e.g. petrol stations)

 

[gavvy]

If the ATM is going to charge it will tell you on the screen and allow you to stop the transaction, my experence is most charge you something in the region of $2, but as the other poster said the publix ones are free, as are the vista credit union ones, but Ive only seen 1 of their ATMs

 

[tink too]

Whatever you decide, I would advise against bringing Sterling! US citizens view this as "funny" money!

Sorry to any Americans out there who disagree (I don't mean to be offensive!), but after 20+ years of visiting Florida, we've learned to always bring either $ cash or traveller's cheques, or use a credit card.

We're using the American Express Traveller's Card this time around, but the Nationwide cards seems like a great suggestion!

 

[kazd]

We always use the Nationwide cards, we load the account before we go for cash withdrawals but pay for just about everything else with the cc. We only really use the cash for ice creams and tips.

 

[gavvy]

You will find it very hard to change £££ - Banks will do small amouts for a fee and ID but its not worth the hassle, as others have said take a nationwide visa or TC

 

[Claire L]

Agree that it is very difficult to change foreign currency in the US. We save any unused TC's etc for the next holiday Best bet if you don't want much left over is take the bear minimum that you would budget for and a CC or card for ATM for if you go over the budget!

Claire

 

[MrsJobba1]

Hi,

What are the benefits of getting both a NationWide CC and a Debit card?

Or is just 1 needed?

We will be staying @ SSR and dont have a car - where is the nearest cash point that I could withdraw money from. ( I remember there is one @ the board walk) Is there one @ cross roads?

Thanks

 

[Claire L]

Yes there is a Suntrust ATM at Crossroads, there is also an ATM at House of Blues at DTD!! The debit card would be better for ATM withdrawls and the credit card for all other purchases IMHO.

Claire

 

[tartangirl]

Hi,

What are the benefits of getting both a NationWide CC and a Debit card?

Or is just 1 needed?

Thanks

The benefits are the same as in this country.

If you withdraw money from an ATM using a credit card you will be charged interest. I'm not sure what happens if you load your credit card up before going so you start the holiday in credit. If you do this and it means you dont end up paying interest on cash withdrawals then a Credit card would be fine on its own.

 

[paulh]

if you use just the CC for cash withdrawals you will be charged like at home from the moment you withdraw it.Save the CC for buing things and use the flexacount debit card for withdawing cash .MrsJobba1 Are you in the DVC as we pay our dues on nationwide CC saves us about $25-£30
Paulh