How to buy travellers cheques or foreign currency

mortalswood

grumbler wrote:

Cash card is Cirrus. You can use any ATM with Mastercard logo.

Mastercard/Cirrus ATM Locator

Thanks for the link. Very useful.

sopoor

Hi,
I have a nationwide debit card. I'm about to go on holiday to the usa and i'm not sure whether i ought to order some foreign currency or to just use my card. Am i right in thinking all transactions are free with Nationwide while abroad or am i being thick?!

grumbler

Hi and welcome to MSE.

sopoor wrote:

I have a nationwide debit card. I'm about to go on holiday to the usa and i'm not sure whether i ought to order some foreign currency or to just use my card.

No need to order, just withdraw $$s from ATM with Visa logo.
The cheapest way to spend overseas: save 6% article.
It is worth having some backup card in case this one is lost/stolen.

Am i right in thinking all transactions are free with Nationwide while abroad or am i being thick?!

Yes all transactions are free besides those that are converted to ££s at the point of sale using DCC:
credit card exchange rate in Spain
How can I avoid DCC when using Visa abroad?
Don't know how widespread DCC is in US though. When paying by card check a slip carefully before signing and pay cash if you see DCC (amount in ££s instead of $$s).

scarlets_knees

This may have been said but in regards to Nationwide BEWARE charges by the bank who owns the cahs machine you use, while Nationwide do not charge, the foreign bank might charge for withdrawls by non account holders. I can't rememebr who did and didn't charge the last time I was in the states but seem to remember citibank and bank of America were fine. They'll tell you if they are going to charge though.

sopoor

Thanks for your help. I think i'll take my card, be brave and see how it goes!

pin

Wells Fargo in the States are fine, use them all the time.

Wardy

Wonder if anyone can help?

I'm going to Tobago in 3 weeks time (can't wait) and I know the currency is Trinidad & Tobago Dollars. However someone has just given me 100 Eastern Caribbean Dollars as they can't exchange them back in the UK - about £25 apparently. Does anyone know if I can use them in Tobago - may pay for a nice bottle of Champers one nite to celebrate my 30th birthday.

pdoff

have read all this but still need advice! dh is going to austria for the european finals of a car stereo comp - it is in the middle of nowhere so he will not be able to use cards (he is rubbish with money anyway so would rather he just had a set amount of cash LOL). can anyone tell me where to get the most euros for his pounds? is it still M&S? thanks!

pin

pdoff wrote:

have read all this but still need advice! dh is going to austria for the european finals of a car stereo comp - it is in the middle of nowhere so he will not be able to use cards (he is rubbish with money anyway so would rather he just had a set amount of cash LOL). can anyone tell me where to get the most euros for his pounds? is it still M&S? thanks!

Travelex online will work out cheaper.

Also if you are in London Thomas Global Exchange on Victoria Street is probably the best.

Mary6_2

I have looked through the Q and Q'a on the Forum but didn't see anything about Australia.
Does the advice given apply here as well.
Get cash from P O in UK and use Cards in Australia?
I would appreciate any help.
Thank you