Best spending help for USA

patgc · 18 March 2017 at 6:59PM

This forum was brilliant last September helping me sort out flights for our holiday to Portland Oregon USA. We are both OAP's and this is a one month, one off trip to see relatives not seen for over 30 years. What I would like some help with now is what to do about spending money. Things have changed from when we were young and it was local currency and travellers cheques. Have tried reading all of Martin's advice pages and am getting confused.
We have Nationwide debit card and Nationwide Select credit card. Am I right in thinking that I should use the credit card for day to day purchases out there and then use the debit card to take out dollars from the ATM. Is this the best way to do it. We are there for a month, so I guess we should take some dollars with us. Your advice would be really appreciated.

phatbear · 18 March 2017 at 7:07PM

Yup those cards are ideal seeing as you already have them.

Dont forget to tell nationwide you are going abroad!

bigadaj · 18 March 2017 at 7:16PM

The nationwide debit card will be fee free if it's from the flexplus account, if not you will be charged as for most other cards.

Most US ATMs will charge fees anyway but you should be able to pay for most things with your credit cards and should have little need for cash.

It would be better to have another reserve card as well, the Halifax clarity is often recommended.

pollypenny · 18 March 2017 at 7:46PM

We take our Saga card as a back up to the Nationwide cards. We put almost everything on the NW credit card and pay it off as soon as we get home.

patgc · 23 March 2017 at 12:27PM

Sorry not to get back sooner, been poorly.
Should I take some dollars for incedentals to start us off ? Then use the CC for everything and anything that will take it? Its set up already to pay in full every month so if payment time is whilst we are away, it will pay it automatically.
Who is recommended to purchase dollars from at a good rate ?

stevie11 · 23 March 2017 at 1:02PM

patgc wrote: »

Sorry not to get back sooner, been poorly.
Should I take some dollars for incedentals to start us off ? Then use the CC for everything and anything that will take it? Its set up already to pay in full every month so if payment time is whilst we are away, it will pay it automatically.
Who is recommended to purchase dollars from at a good rate ?

Hope you are feeling better, I always take a few spare dollars for incidentals especially where credit card payment isn't appropriate. If I don't have currency left over from a previous trip I will use the Moneymax facility and pick up a few $. I have found the No1 cash generator to be the best for collection in my area for my most recent trips.

PeacefulWaters · 23 March 2017 at 1:39PM

Land at airport.

Stick suitable card in ATM. Withdraw an appropriate amount is $ for the flat fee charged by the ATM. Enjoy holiday with no further cash. Repay card debt to minimise interest on cash.

Beenie · 23 March 2017 at 3:20PM

Definitely take two credit cards. You don't want to find yourself with 'card declined' when paying for something. A spare could save a lot of hassle.

patgc · 23 March 2017 at 6:12PM

Ok, Thanks. Have applied and been accepted for the Halifax Clarity to keep as a backup.

Best spending help for USA

Comments

Categories

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free