Buy USD here or in New York?

ic

If you travel a lot an account such as the Nationwide Flexplus is ideal - it allows free cash withdrawals abroad without exchange rate loading. There is a fee, so only worth it if the whole package works out well for you.

As suggested above, I always take enough cash to get me going, then withdraw more as I need it whilst away. As I travel to Europe a lot, I just make sure I bring a few Euros back with me ready for the next trip - far cheaper than obtaining them in the UK.

NiftyDigits

I'm not sure as to why one would choose the Clarity instead of the Revolut card for ATM withdrawals in the USA. B of A do charge in other states, so I wouldn't depend on them. TD Bank as suggested, won't.

As to cash, you simply won't need any before you get to an ATM, so don't waste your time.

itm2

NiftyDigits wrote: »

I'm not sure as to why one would choose the Clarity instead of the Revolut card for ATM withdrawals in the USA. B of A do charge in other states, so I wouldn't depend on them. TD Bank as suggested, won't.

As to cash, you simply won't need any before you get to an ATM, so don't waste your time.

Do you mean that you think the Revolut rate will be better than the Clarity rate, or simply that I won't pay any interest if I use Revolut? Either card would be fine for me.

I've got about $70 leftover from the last trip, and will need to pay back my US hosts about $200 for tickets that they've bought in advance for us, so maybe I'll keep the $70 for the first couple of days of fast food etc and withdraw the $200 on the Revolut card.

NiftyDigits

itm2 wrote: »

Do you mean that you think the Revolut rate will be better than the Clarity rate, or simply that I won't pay any interest if I use Revolut? Either card would be fine for me.

I've got about $70 leftover from the last trip, and will need to pay back my US hosts about $200 for tickets that they've bought in advance for us, so maybe I'll keep the $70 for the first couple of days of fast food etc and withdraw the $200 on the Revolut card.

No interest. Revolut for ATM, Clarity for POS/purchases. Good idea to just use the US$70. Cards are accepted in taxis and shuttles etc, so cash is seldom necessary.

PBA

Clarity is a credit card isn't it? I haven't heard of Revolut. Don't withdraw cash on a credit card, there might be no fees but you'll pay interest from the date of the withdrawal.

In the US everywhere accepts credit cards. I just got back from a month over there and only spent about $40 cash. You should make sure you've got enough with you to cover the public transport fees from the airport, but after that credit cards will be accepted all the way.

Robin9

PBA wrote: »

Clarity is a credit card isn't it? I haven't heard of Revolut. Don't withdraw cash on a credit card, there might be no fees but you'll pay interest from the date of the withdrawal.

In the US everywhere accepts credit cards. I just got back from a month over there and only spent about $40 cash. You should make sure you've got enough with you to cover the public transport fees from the airport, but after that credit cards will be accepted all the way.

I don't know how you got away with only $40. I found the US - Atlanta/New Orleans/Memphis - to be a very much Cash is King society - you are expected to tip every meal, drink at up to 20% and these $5 here, $3 there add up. Over 2 weeks I spent $400 in cash - yes some could have been on the CC.

Although CC are widespread - there's no chip and pin or contactless. The US is quite backward financially.

PeacefulWaters

PBA wrote: »

Clarity is a credit card isn't it? I haven't heard of Revolut. Don't withdraw cash on a credit card, there might be no fees but you'll pay interest from the date of the withdrawal.

In the US everywhere accepts credit cards. I just got back from a month over there and only spent about $40 cash. You should make sure you've got enough with you to cover the public transport fees from the airport, but after that credit cards will be accepted all the way.

You rather miss the point.

Clarity offers just about the best exchange rate you'll get anywhere for no fees.

The 4p per £100 per day interest charge on cash is minuscule compared to getting an inferior exchange rate. It can also be capped by making a payment to the credit card to clear the balance. It's also not charged from the date of transaction, but the date it appears on your statement.