What Form Of Dollars Should I Take?

[moz414]

This is our 3rd visit to Orlando, the last being in 2007. Then I took Travellers Cheques and some cash and used my bank card when my wife found some jewellry she liked! TCs were just like cash then so is it still the same now? Other options are taking all cash (problem with loosing it though) or getting one of the cards on offer. I believe that you still get charged when making withdrawals with the cards though and then you have to look for a cash point. Can you use the cards to pay for bills though or just for taking money out?

Thanks.

 

[PChef]

The pre-paid travel cards can be used as debit cards to pay directly for goods up to the limit of money on your card. They are quite popular and a lot of travel agents push them as they get commission. They are a good way of 'locking in' to a good exchange rate.

Travellers cheques, cash, and using your normal bank cards are all other valid options, just check the charges on your bank cards for overseas transactions.

 

[moz414]

The pre-paid travel cards can be used as debit cards to pay directly for goods up to the limit of money on your card. They are quite popular and a lot of travel agents push them as they get commission. They are a good way of 'locking in' to a good exchange rate.

Travellers cheques, cash, and using your normal bank cards are all other valid options, just check the charges on your bank cards for overseas transactions.

TCs would be my choice as they were so easy to use last time I went, just been reading around the net that they are not as widely accepted in Orlando like they once were. Using my bank card will be a last resort (just like last time) so either pre-paid card or TCs then and some cash.

 

[NicolaUK]

TCs aren't as widely accepted these days, for some reason particularly in the Boston area

I'm a big fan of pre-paid cards, used to have the Amex one and now use a Caxton, coupled with a bit of cash and some back up cards - just in case I go anywhere near an Apple store

 

[nemmie]

I used a prepaid card last year and had some issues with it. I won't be using them again. I much prefer good old travellers cheques and continue to use them. Never in the years we have been travelling to Orlando have I been told I cannot use them at all. I have been told in the smaller stores that I cannot use a $100 one but that's fair enough. I do always make sure and ask in places I am not sure if they take them and like I say, never had a problem. Also, if you are staying in a hotel you can always change some to cash each time you need to at the front desk if you are concerned about places not taking them.

 

[2Tiggies]

I used a prepaid card last year and had some issues with it. I won't be using them again. I much prefer good old travellers cheques and continue to use them. Never in the years we have been travelling to Orlando have I been told I cannot use them at all. I have been told in the smaller stores that I cannot use a $100 one but that's fair enough. I do always make sure and ask in places I am not sure if they take them and like I say, never had a problem. Also, if you are staying in a hotel you can always change some to cash each time you need to at the front desk if you are concerned about places not taking them.

Same here. But then staying onsite may have something to do with it as they are accepted pretty much everywhere in WDW. I have used them when shopping offsite too.

I take as much cash as my insurance covers me for and the rest in TCs. This year I am splitting the 'rest' between Travellers Cheques and my FairFX card.

 

[BethEJo]

I'm a big fan of pre-paid cards, used to have the Amex one and now use a Caxton, coupled with a bit of cash and some back up cards - just in case I go anywhere near an Apple store

Another vote here for the pre-paid cards.

Last year I used the Thomas Cook Cash Passport and had no problems whatsoever.

 

[crabbie1]

Always take TC and cash-did take a fairfax card last time but never knew how much was left on it as didnt check my reciepts everytime I used it.Think I may get one though through fairfx