Methods of Payment

[Fiona1973]

In the past when going to the USA, I have taken travellers cheques, small amount of cash & credit card, but this was many years ago.

Can anyone tell me if this is still the case, or is it mostly debit card that you use and Travellers Cheques are obsolete?

Thanks

 

[chmurf]

You will still be able to use Traveller's Cheques, even if less and less people use them

if you stay onsite at Disney's or Universal's, you can link a credit or debit card to your room charge account.
Charges will be processed when you hit a certain limit ($1500 at values and moderates at WDW for example) and you'll be able to review those charges anytime you want. You can also settle that charge (even with travellers cheques) at Concierge (as long as you do so before your last evening at the hotel)

If you search this part of the board, you'll also find quite a few threads dealing with prepaid credit cards, or currency cards.
Much easier than travellers cheques

 

[P800aul]

Hi

We take some cash $600 - $1000 and always bring some back. We use a Halifax Clarity Credit Card which has no fees and has a good MasterCard rate, today its $1.462099 compared with inter-bank is $1.4660 or Tesco travel money online is $1.4328.

Others might know a better deal I've yet to find one

It's so difficult to double guess the currency markets (if I could I'd be a very rich man) so I just use the card when we are there. I try to wait for a better rate when I'm buying tickets for things in advance in USD but thats all I do.

Regards

Paul

 

[Jon84]

I used the Revolut card this trip, which worked really well. You top it up, and can exchange between currencies as and when. So if the rate is good before you go, you can take advantage, if it's not so good, you can exchange some now, and some when out there

It too uses the MasterCard rate so much better than Caxton or Fair FX. No charges on cash unless you withdraw too often. A good option if you don't want a credit card.

A note on the Clarity card is that if you want cash, then you are charged interest instantly.

 

[P800aul]

I used the Revolut card this trip, which worked really well.

Hi

Looks really good, obviously cash not credit having both would be a great mix

Great info

Regards

Paul

 

[Wakey]

Get a Post Office credit card. You pay no fees and get a proper, not tourist exhange rate. Travellers cheques are no longer necessary. I travel all over States regularly and in a 2 week holiday my family of 4 will take 500 dollars cash. By the back end of the 2 weeks I am having to make a conscious decision to spend up my 500 dollars as everywhere takes credit cards. Even the trolleys in the airport and vending machines (often).

 

[SpencerOrg]

We went last July having previously been in 2000 so things had changed in the way of travellers cheques.

We took with us cash to get us started, I particularly asked the bank for a good range of smaller notes as I knew I would be travelling through toll booths on our first journey from the airport to our accommodation.

We decided to get a Travelex multi-currency Cash passport and loaded it with the rest of our holiday spending money. We both wanted a card so we requested a second card which the website suggested would be suitable for each person. We were disappointed to receive a second card in my wife's name which made making purchases very difficult over $40 if she wasn't present.

Pro's

• You don't need to worry about exchange rates and fees while you are away
• You can get cash from an ATM without paying too huge a fee
• There is a (reasonable) app which lets you track your spending
• Second cards available (see above)
• MasterCard accepted virtually everywhere
• We used the card in the UK to book our Kennedy Space Centre and Pirates Dinner Show tickets online - no exchange rate fees
• Use chip-and-pin technology which is still relatively new in America

Con's

• Both cards being in the same name unless you want two separate accounts
• These sorts of cards not being accepted at Petrol pumps as you still need a US Zip Code

When we go next time we will probably stick with the same card as it is easier to have one account with two cards in the same name rather than two accounts.

 

[peachiepie]

I've just ordered a Revolut card...got a short break to Sweden coming up so plan to test it out there before our next USA trip!

 

[Minniesgal]

We take a small amount of cash, use cash line machines if we need cash and pay for things with out master card

 

[Jon84]

Worth noting that Travelex's Supercard is not available again http://www.telegraph.co.uk/personal...new-supercard-for-fee-free-overseas-spending/

This card basically links your Debt or Credit card from home to this card, and takes the money from your CC or Bank Account as you make a purchase fee free and at that days MasterCard Exchange Rate (much like the Halifax Clarity Card). No need to top it up, it just takes the money as and when.

The only downside is that there is a 2.99% charge on cash withdrawals now, which, in Orlando is not really an issue, just make sure to take enough cash for Tolls