Currency in America

[helen_sew]

I am going to Vegas then Florida for 2 weeks in Easter and I am not sure what is the best option regarding currency. Do I exchange it here for dollars, do I take travellers cheques, do I take sterling then change it there or do I use my atm card? With the atm card what are the charges (currency conversion fees, foreign atm fee, UK bank charge)? Which works out best and is most convenient?

[raysparx1]

whenever we go to the states we change our money here, normally at the post office, good rates and no commission, and we take a few $50 travellers cheques, dollars in cash then use visa card for everything else, then pay it off all in one go when we get back, a lot of the cash machines out there have a fixed charge it is a few dollars at the time. hope this helps you a little bit, good luck, have a great time

Vegas is a great place at night, but bit of a building site in the day, get a pass for the bus that goes up and down the strip, you can then hop on and off as often as you like, you buy them on the bus and the buses run 24 hours a day.

[vehelpfulguy]

In Florida they take Travellers Cheques like cash (assume they also do in Vegas as well). They even give change if you use them.

Great thing about TCs is that you can make a note of the numbers and claim afterwards if you lose them.

As raysparx1 says have a combination of cash (not too much), TCs, and your credit card.

[helen_sew]

Sorry forgot to mention I don't have a credit card just a HSBC debit card. Lots of people have said atm's are good but the charges vary, that's what is confusing.

Thanks for your help, will use the Vegas busses!

[dzug]

The charges for using a debit card are virtually always LESS than the charges (hidden and open) that you would incur buying cash or travellers cheques. It's just that they are more open and not hidden behind misleading claims of 'no commission' - which normally means a poor exchange rate instead.

Really the only thing to watch out for is if your debit card charges a flat or minimum fee instead of or as well as a percentage fee then DON'T take your money out in dribs and drabs - make one fee do.

[raysparx1]

Hiya, If you go into Nationwide and open an account with them they don't charge at all for overseas cash withdrawals, might be worth having a chat with them. Ray

[Mumof2]

Hi
You could try a travel card available from Lloyds TSB ,you pre load with an amount and use it like a debit card

more info here
http://www.moneynews.co.uk/3179/lloyds-tsb-car d-gives-holidaygoers-peace-of-mind-/