First trip to USA

In October i willbe travelling to Orlando, my first trip to the USA. What would you recomend in the form of taking money? I will be thinking of taking @£1200 but i do not know the best way of taking it........do i take a few dollars and use the hole in the wall machines or do i take it all in cash..........please help

[preiffer]

Hi,

If you're not planning to use your credit card while out there, you can protect yourself against exchange rate fluctuations by looking into this option

Safe & Secure, too

Never found the need to take much cash or any travellers cheques. Pay for most things with credit card including tips on meals.

Have usally used ATM in the same way as I do in UK.

Word of caution this may not be the best option if
your bank passes on ATM charges or the exchange rate on credit or debit card is not good.

Last year used mostly my Virgin CC or my Nationwide Debit card no commission to pay and good exchange rate (and miles too...)

Well, although I'm in a different situation, my parents usually take their credit cards on vacation. If we need cash we usually find a place there that doesn't take any royalties for exchanging cash. A word of advice though if you intend to use your credit card, be sure to tell your card company that you are going to be using it in another country for a certain amount of time. My parents forgot to do this twice and when the company noticed pounds instead of dollars, they wouldn't let us use them until we notified them.

Being the oldie that I am, I always take the bulk of my money in Dollar travellers cheques. You just use them like cash at every shop/supermarket/restarant etc....

[Nottingham Nick]

I very much favour a small amout of cash.. just enough to cover the incidentals... though I realise that the 'incidentals' mount up.. especially round WDW and Orlando [:I]

Everything I can I put on my VS mastercard and get 2 FC points for every pound I spend. Used to be alomst a point for each dollar.. but the exchnage rate has gone down a bit recently [:(]

Details here

Nick

Bit of cash and plenty of plastic, I have been on trips to the US when I have managed to spend no cash at all apart from a few 1$ bill tips,the plastic statements have been horrendous on return:D

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by jaguarpig
the plastic statements have been horrendous on return:D

But, think of the FC / BA points [}:)];)

Nick

[ChuckC]

I'd go with the plastic and a small amount of cash. You get the points with plastic, plus a record of your charges and ability to dispute one if there is a problem.

Amex now offers a debit card you can load (instead of lugging your travelers cheques) and it is accepted the same as the regular Amex.

Enjoy the trip.

Chuck-

I find it is best split down as followed:
1) You need small bills and coins for: - (up to $30)
Drinks Vending machines on arrival
Baggage carts
Tips (Porters, Cab Drivers, Car Hire transfer drivers etc)
Tolls
Food when you first arrive
2) You will be fine with your maestro or visa debit card to get money out of the hole in the wall - I find this the best way to do it, but I would advise you take out at least $500 so the charges don't out way the benefits.

3) Keep a credit card handy and use this wherever possible (Pref your Virgin Credit Card)

I generally take around $500 in cash and then my cards to cover me an my wife.

One last mention that Orlando particularly is starting to become more expensive so I have found that I am now spending more money by whatever means.

Paul

my Nationwide Debit card no commission to pay

Ah yes, me too - I wouldn't travel without it [8D]

I am a little old fashioned I like cash on holiday so my partner takes two empty credit cards and I take about $2500 in cash and put in
my room safe, yes i know if you lose cash its tuff, but it travels
very close to my privates and since hitting 40 no one seems to go there anymore, lol and lets face it if they did it might look a bit strange.

Originally posted by easygoingeezer
But it travels
very close to my privates and since hitting 40 no one seems to go there anymore, lol and lets face it if they did it might look a bit strange.

Eww, remind me never to borrow money from you or lend you any as you will then have to pay me back!:D

Paul