US Trav Cheques or "hole in the wall"

[thefoxes]

Hello Again,

A question.........

Can you use your UK bank card over in the USA to draw money out from the "hole in the wall" - save taking trav cheques.

If so what do you get charged for this service ?

My bank card is the "visa-delta" Lloyds TSB.

If this service is available, what is everyones thought on this ?



Thanks

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

You can use some UK debit cards to withdraw cash from cash machines, but I think there are hefty charges to use this service. Why not use your credit card for most transcations? You usually get the best exchange rate (better than tourist rate), you only spend what you need and don't have to change any unused money back into sterling when you return, it's convenient to carry, can be used everywhere and is safer than carrying cash. We normally take a little bit of cash for snacks, drinks and road tolls, then use the credit card for everything else.

Regards

Rob

 

[Goofyish]

Hi Andy,

I have used my HSBC Switch card in ATMs in the US. I think the card needs the Cirrus or Maestro logos on (can't remember which - my Switch has both).

There will be a slight charge for withdrawing cash from the ATM - I think it's about $2.50 per transaction. So best to take a larger amount in one go, rather than a lot of little withdrawals.

You should also get a better exchange rate - probably in between the bank rate and tourist rate.

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

The Cirrus logo is for withdrawing money from ATM's and I think the Maestro logo is the debit facility........

We have now got a Royal Bank of Scotland bank account that has these on the cards. Previously we were Bank of Scotland which had nothing to use abroad.
This will be our first year using it, and I'm a bit apprehensive about it, so taking most of our money in $'s and TC's and only a small amount in the bank account....just in case something goes wrong....... (worrying about nothing probably)


Cath

 

[Ralphly]

We used my Lloydstsb debit/visa last year with no problems, over there most machines swipe cards, so theres no risk in the machine eating them, we take about $100 in cash for toll etc, then draw $500 a time out the machine this cost about $2.50 per transaction, we also got a better interest rate when it we converted back to sterling.

 

[thefoxes]

Can i use a credit card for anything ?

1. At a diner for breakfast / lunch / tea
2. In all of the theme parks
3. Shopping.....endless if i know the DW & DD !!
4. Gas for the hire car

etc..etc..etc

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

Yes, you can use your credit card for EVERYTHING.....

Cath

 

[BongoBetty]

A friend of mine, a brit disney employee for some years, (and we're so envious) paid for 3 cokes in MK last year with a credit card and no-one turned a hair. I think this answers the foxes question.

BB

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Originally posted by thefoxes
Can i use a credit card for anything ?

I think the only places that only take cash for are the food and drink carts around the parks.

Regards

Rob

 

[JANNYANS]

Look intomgetting a Nation wide card they are the only card that does not charge for foreign transactions.Also if you do intend using you r credit card abroad and haven't done so before tell the company as any unusaul transaction may get denied .

 

[Enright78]

We are with RBS and yes you can use it in ATMs. We usually take a small amount in cash, credit cards and "pump up" our joint account with cash to withdraw at ATMs.
Have'nt taken TCs for years now and don't miss them!!

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Originally posted by JANNYANS
Look intomgetting a Nation wide card they are the only card that does not charge for foreign transactions.Also if you do intend using you r credit card abroad and haven't done so before tell the company as any unusaul transaction may get denied .

I agree that this is a good thing to do if you are going to spend lots on a credit card. I wonder how long Nationwide will stick with not charging this 'hidden' surcharge. So few people no about it that it can't be a good marketing tool for them, so they seem to be passing up the opportunity to increase their profit margin for very little increase in good PR or increased business.

See this page from Natiowide's website for more details of their commission free credit card use overseas.

Regards

Rob

 

[Minniespal]

We usually take cc and a debit card with us, just in case. The bulk of our money is either in TC or currency. TC are so convenient and we have found them to be accepted everywhere.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Originally posted by minniespal
TC are so convenient and we have found them to be accepted everywhere.

In my experience they also have the worst echange rate of all the typical ways of foriegn exchange.

Regards

Rob

 

[eyoreaud]

I agree with ROB, i got a Nationwide visa card the first time we went to WDW because there was no loading charges.
Would also recomend phoning credit card comany before you go, when we went last december we had our card refused after i went shopping at premium outlets(after 3-4 transactions within a hour)

Luv Audrey

 

[Enright78]

Agree about the cc exchange rates. That's why we stopped using them!

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Originally posted by Enright78
Agree about the cc exchange rates. That's why we stopped using them!

cc or tc?

Regards

Rob

 

[Enright78]

Sorry, I meant TC!!!

 

[thefoxes]

Thanks for all of your replys.

He is what i am going to do:-

I have applied for a NationWide Credit Card, and i intend to use this for just about everything. Once i return to the UK and the credit card statement arrives i shall pay it off with the holiday money in the savings account.

I shall also take approx. £100 in US$ for Tolls / snacks etc..etc..

But as a back-up as well have my TSB Lloyds bank card with me (federal reserves - i might need it )

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

That's what we do, although I think I take about $200 in cash just in case. It's only about $15 per day, and just buying drinks and churros around the park can soon add up!

Regards

Rob