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Tell me how to spend money in America
Flippy_D
Digital ConquistadorLondonRegistered User regular
Digital ConquistadorLondonRegistered User regular
Hoy.
Traveler's cheques. Special credit cards with specific rates/commissions. Raw cash.
Tell me what I should be doing for my trip. It's 80 days long, I am not expecting huge expenses as I am rarely paying for accommodation, and my native currency is the comparatively strong British Sterling.
I want to know the cheapest, the easiest, and the most savvy ways to spend my money across the pond.
Thanks.
Traveler's cheques. Special credit cards with specific rates/commissions. Raw cash.
Tell me what I should be doing for my trip. It's 80 days long, I am not expecting huge expenses as I am rarely paying for accommodation, and my native currency is the comparatively strong British Sterling.
I want to know the cheapest, the easiest, and the most savvy ways to spend my money across the pond.
Thanks.
Flippy_D on
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Now I'm only down for a week or two at a time. Travelers cheques (they still make those?) might be your best option for such a long stay.
I never finish anyth
But here in America we always accept cash, but I wouldn't carry around large sums of it just in case.
New York would require a different plan of action than Des Moines, IA.
The pre-paid Visa idea is pretty solid (http://usa.visa.com/personal/cards/prepaid/index.html). Works exactly like a credit/debit card, and they're accepted anywhere you can use Visa (which is everywhere).
Traveler's cheques are still around, but I really don't know how well they work... I've never used them.
It would be good to have some cash on you, but probably not more than $100 at a time would be necessary, especially if you're using the pre-paid Visa.
Also, as to your question mark area... I would recommend visitng somewhere in Colorado like Boulder or Durango. Simply amazing places.
C) Travelers Cheques
D) All of the above
Though since you're mostly be staying with people, I'd say more of A and B, since cheques are not very loved by merchants.
In any major city, it won't be a problem finding a bank, so I'd probably "stock up" at each major city.
On second thought, are you still traveling by bus? You may want to stick with cheques in that case.
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Have it your way.
Terrible.
we also talk about other random shit and clown upon each other
Fixed for truth. There is no good road in Florida. I am pretty sure we own like 7 of the top 10 most fatal highways in the country.
we also talk about other random shit and clown upon each other
A) Cash is king. Easy everywhere.
B)pre-paid Visa. Can be a pain in the ass you need to always know the balance, as most stores will reject the cards if you don't. You see their systems can not talk to Visa,mastercards pre-paid systems. Also if you lose your card your fucked no refund.
C)Travelers Cheques. Are a good options as most banks will cash them for you if they are made to american funds chase will charge 5 bucks if you dont have a account with them.
The places you want to avoid are any "currency exchange" places. They're doing it for a profit, so you're not getting the best rate. Basically, don't exchange your money in an airport.
People saying travelers cheques are antiquated... they're still the safest way to travel with money due to the signature requirement when using one, the easiest to get replaced since Amex will have you new ones by the next day if they're lost or stolen, and get you the best rate when cashed at a bank. Using them as actual forms of payment for retailers is going the way of the dodo, but using them as a way to carry a store of cash is still quite widespread.
The worst accident I've ever seen was in Florida, while riding on a bus back to Orlando from the Kennedy Space Center. There was no doubt in my mind (or my wife's) that anybody riding in at least 2 of the cars involved was dead, and there were at least half a dozen other cars that probably involved serious injury at a minimum. About a week or so later when we got back home I was able to google that crash scene in about .5 seconds - made all sorts of news. Ugh.
Also, to echo some others, no travelers cheques. Places that accept them are getting to be few and far between, and even at spots that do not everyone will be trained on how to process them. A credit card/prepaid Visa would be a good way to go, or just use cash. The exchange rates you get using an ATM machine would be the best way to do so while avoiding carrying too much cash at any given time.
This is what you want to do. For the amount of time you are coming, it is worth converting all the funds you think you'll need in Traveller's Cheques, then cash them at a bank when you need to. I'd then place some of the cash onto a pre-paid card, and keep some notes. Do this once every 30 days, and you'll be golden.
Traveller's Cheques are a secure method, as they aren't valid until you counter-sign them, and you can keep a separate record of the serial numbers in case something goes wrong. It's only after you convert them can you lose money via theft or loss.
I don't know if you have different cards or something, but when I travel, credit cards are always the best exchange rate.
Considering I'm in Canada, yes our cards sound like they would be different. I get better exchange rates if I stop at a cash exchange and get US cash before I leave the country then if I use my VISA in the States. Plus my bank buys and sells at different rates, making refunds for hotel mistakes a fucking nightmare. It's an issue I've had to deal with on more then one occasion, where my bank has tried to convince me that the dollar has dropped $0.04 in value in 2 seconds. Ah the wonders of the internet and being able to track trading rates on currencies in real time.
I never finish anyth
So both of those are possible and likely cheaper than using traveler's cheques, but in all my travels I've never personally used them. I tend to go to 2nd or 3rd world countries, where traveler's cheques are a real pain to use.
Oh, sorry, that's "how to spend money like an American" :P
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You use your debit card at a grocery store and get cash! Best exchange rate!
Changing money is a scam because they work their fees into the interest rates. Travelers checks are antiquated and a pain in the ass. Credit cards are decent but tack 1-3% on top (which is their fee).
You'll notice that usually the 1-3% is the best deal when you start doing the math, so use your credit card for anything serious, and use your debit card to get cash when you want cash. If you have more than 1 card, call them up to say "I'm going to be in the US for 80 days and am wondering what your fee is for purchases in a foreign currency" and they'll tell you. And you should also call them so that when you are in the US they won't shut off your card for weird purchases (you just say "I'm going to be out of the country and need to make sure my card won't be shut off")
Yeah, I've decided to do that after google mapping w/ satellite.
Thanks for your help thus far guys
I wish I could give more detail, but I haven't done register work in ages.
This is the truth. If you've got a Visa/Mastercard, stick to that and you're set. You can hit up a bank for some cash, but you won't need to carry any more than $20. 99% of places take credit cards.
banks are everywhere to cash in, minimal chance of any fees, always knowing exactly how much money you have.
and really a croc > gator any day of the week.