V-Flyer

Hi

Off to Florida in May for 3 weeks, last time we went 15 years ago I took spending money as $US travellers cheques, pretty much used them like cash in shops/restaurants, getting change in cash Dollars.

I was wondering if travellers cheques are still accepted like this or should I be looking at Pre-Paid cards ? are these accepted widely in Florida, how do people normally take their spending money to Florida?

Thanks for any answers.

I tend to use a Fairfx card with some cash. If you sign up through somewhere like the Dibb you can avoid paying the sign up fee

Travellers Cheques seem like such a hassle now. If you don't have a fee free credit card then a pre-paid card would seem a much better solution. This one seems quite good: http://acefx.firstpremierprepaid.co.uk/Home.aspx. Used anywhere that takes Mastercard. Just don't use it to pre-auth an amount like at the hotel when you turn up or it may reduce available funds.

Used a pre paid in Chicago only place that did not take them were the Casey gas stations,although in some shops you just signed and they did not ask for identification which was worrying

defintely cards. travellers checks or cheques not well liked here

Thanks for the replys, will look into the cards then.

Been AI in the carribean for last few holidays, so not really used the pre-paid cards, just took cash Dollars.

I used to just take cash, now I have a Citibank US$ account so keep most of my US$ currency in there and then use ATMs or the debit card and just carry a nominal amount of cash.

MrT wrote:I used to just take cash, now I have a Citibank US$ account so keep most of my US$ currency in there and then use ATMs or the debit card and just carry a nominal amount of cash.

Thanks for the reply.

Did you open that account from the UK using GBP? are there any charges for withdrawals and can you use it like a debit card in shops/restaurants etc?

Yes, I opened a Citibank UK current account (free £500 overdraft provided you pay a few K in each month) and then the USD account on top. Can transfer funds between the two and pay in USD cash over the counter at UK Citibank branches. Only disadvantage are that the only 5 UK branches are in London. No fees at all for the account (compared to other banks that charge around £5/month for foreign currency a/cs) and I use the Citibank ATMs in 7/11 stores or Citibank branches to avoid card fees. They give you one Visa debit card for all the accounts that you have with them, and you just get it switched over so it accesses the alternative accounts when you need to travel.

I have used travellers chqs and a cash card, only issue i found with the cash card was although they say no fees, there are hidden charges. The card owner wont charge you if you use an ATM but the ATM owner more often than not will. Its only a few $ but lots of withdrawals can mount up.

I opened a US bank account with Wells Fargo, very easy to do in branch took 20mins (even for non US citizens) and you get a debit/ATM card. It costs $5 per month (unless you credit $1000 per month and $10 to receive a foreign money transfer (whatever the amount). They sent the card to my UK address and everything else is online. I tend to transfer money before i go and take about $100 cash to start.

Or Bank Of America do an account which again they will allow UK citizens to open, but only in branch, no fees so long as you do everything online or use an ATM - only catch is you need a US address to have the debit card sent to. (can be friend or family)

Depends how often you are likely to go, with both bank accounts you need some sort of activity at least every 12 months to stop the accounts going dormant. And the Wells needs $60 a year to maintain it.

Hi, thanks for the replys.

Probably won't be going to US that often with a 5 year old in tow, Florida is a one off for now (unless costs drastically reduce!!!), so I don't think accounts with charges are worth it for me at this stage.

Hi

Done abit more research and the best card around for me looks like the 'Halifax Clarity Credit Card', there's no fee for using it anywhere in the world and no fee cash withdrawal at ATM's, you just pay interest on cash withdrawals/purchases, so I can just clear it off when I get home so I don't get stung by large interest charges.

Most of the other credit cards/pre-paid cards have charges for withdrawals/money transfers.

I probably will not be going to the US that often over the next few years, so I do not think a US bank account is the answer for me.

Has anyone used 'Halifax Clarity Credit Card' in Florida/US, you can get a Visa or Mastercard version, any advice which is best/most widely accepted in Florida?

Thanks for the advice.

I head to the US a lot and have not needed a US bank account yet, there are plenty of cards out there that don't sting you at all or too badly on foreign transactions. I also would favour the VISA.. although you should not have a prob with the MasterCard - take both perhaps
I used the Halifax Clarity card (and a ton of others :# ) before I entered the amex world. Sorry cannot be specific to Florida as I have never been there, but it worked just fine everywhere I used it.

A word of advice, give them a call before leaving and let them know exactly where you are going. Did a multi city stop once and I received the fraud alert phone call a couple of times outside of my original city of entry.. clearly their psychic powers were waning that day

joeyc wrote:A word of advice, give them a call before leaving and let them know exactly where you are going. Did a multi city stop once and I received the fraud alert phone call a couple of times outside of my original city of entry.. clearly their psychic powers were waning that day

Thanks, I was planning to let my credit card company know, done this in the past and they haven't taken notice and still suspended my card when in Vienna ):

flabound wrote:defintely cards. travellers checks or cheques not well liked here

Really? When was the change of heart? Have to admit I've read this thread with real interest, I'm obviously one of the old guard who still gets some traveller's cheques. When buying these, I've often been asked if I want to get a smart card - but I thought these came with a monthly fee. Maybe I'm wrong about that and I need to wise-up???? Any thoughts anyone?

I had no problems in Chicago apart from the Casey gas staions which did not take them and read in another forum apart from golden corral TC's are welcome,tho I did read on the M&S bank page that from May they will not sell TC's but will buy back up to Dec13

Have not used TCs in the US since 1999 when I was asked by a shop assistant what he needed to do with them!

Ever since I've gone with CC and $$.

Took a mixture of cc and TC last Oct and had no issues useing any of them in Florida and will be useing the same this year. May stick to $ and cc in New York and keep the TC for Orlando

catsilversword wrote:

flabound wrote:defintely cards. travellers checks or cheques not well liked here

Really? When was the change of heart? Have to admit I've read this thread with real interest, I'm obviously one of the old guard who still gets some traveller's cheques. When buying these, I've often been asked if I want to get a smart card - but I thought these came with a monthly fee. Maybe I'm wrong about that and I need to wise-up???? Any thoughts anyone?

I've done some reseach since asking the initial queastion, the best UK Credit Card I can see is 'Halifax Clarity Credit Card', there's no fee for using it anywhere in the world and no fee for cash withdrawal at ATM's unlike most, you just pay interest on cash withdrawals/purchases (56 day interest free for purchases, 12.9% for cash), so I can just clear it off when I get home so I don't get stung by large interest charges. Most pre-paid cards that you load seem to have fee's per transaction, so could cost quite abit.

MSE recommend it as the best overseas card as well, not used it yet as I go away in May:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel ... ey#halifax