travellers cheques.

[jdybnsn]

That may be so but some people like to have the money in advance, rather than a huge bill to come back to when they return. I, for one, do not have a credit card and wouldn't even consider getting one - I like to know that, when I'm on holiday, I'm only spending what I can afford. The temptation, for me, to overspend would just be too great otherwise.

Sorry, I wasn't advocating people get into debt...far from it ....just pointing out that you will get more $$$ for your £££...than with TCs and with a similar amount of security

Obviously, you would not save a thing if you did not pay your CC bill off in full on your return...but if you have the money for TCs, why would you not have the money for your credit card bill ?????

Don't shoot me ...just trying to offer a different angle here for the original poster.

 

[kristieuk]

I have missed the $250 offer on the amex card, can someone point me in tha direction?

Amex travellers cheques have never given me any problems.

It's a Thomas Cook offer. I'm not sure if you can take advantage of it online, but if you go into a Thomas Cook store and buy a $2000 Amex TC Card (cost around £1100 depending on exchange rate), Amex will add a free $250. With the free $, the actual exchange rate works out to be something like $1.88. It's a great deal!

 

[kristieuk]

Sorry, I wasn't advocating people get into debt...far from it ....just pointing out that you will get more $$$ for your £££...than with TCs and with a similar amount of security

Obviously, you would not save a thing if you did not pay your CC bill off in full on your return...but if you have the money for TCs, why would you not have the money for your credit card bill ?????

Don't shoot me ...just trying to offer a different angle here for the original poster.

I see your point completely. I loooove the Nationwide card!

I've often thought that you could use your cc like the Amex TC card by paying some of your spending money onto it before you go, so, say, you had £1000 in credit on your card. You could then benefit on the better exchange rate, and not worry about having to pay it off - you just have to keep a note of your spending or check online so that you don't go over the amount you paid onto it. I've never been that organised though!

 

[wilma-bride]

Sorry, I wasn't advocating people get into debt...far from it ....just pointing out that you will get more $$$ for your £££...than with TCs and with a similar amount of security

Obviously, you would not save a thing if you did not pay your CC bill off in full on your return...but if you have the money for TCs, why would you not have the money for your credit card bill ?????

Don't shoot me ...just trying to offer a different angle here for the original poster.

I'm not saying you were trying to encourage people to get into debt. Sorry if it came across that way. All I was really trying to say is that I know, when I take a certain amount of TCs and cash, that is what I have available to spend. If I had a CC, I could easily be tempted to spend over and above what I could 'afford'. Guess I didn't phrase it very well in my last post

 

[fizz13]

All you lovely people trying to help, its ok to put it from different angles, gives a fuller idea. Normally I would agree with you Joh about the credit card, but the idea of loading it up so its in credit before you go is very good, all the benefits without the bill. Of course, if Thomas Cook want to give me $250, then who am I to argue?
To get back to the OP, we used travellers cheques quite freely everywhere, with the exception of snack cart vendors. Only cash I needed was for drinks and tolls. Think even the car parks took them (though don't quote me on that). We always had loose money though because we always had change from using a bigger cheque for dinner. I reckon $100 in cash and the rest in TC should see you through
Claire xx

 

[alisonbestford]

Well, just got my $2000 American Express card, with $250 free so I'm a happy bunny
Now the money's on the card I can't be tempted to dip into it either

We're waiting for the arrival of a Nationwide card too to cover any ineventualities

 

[Miffy2003]

That is a great deal Alison!