USA - Cards / Cash which ones . Confused!

EveryWhere

ontheupslope wrote: »

So you wouldn't recommend taking any cash at all and getting it all out there ? I'm not sure I want to spend my holiday searching for ATMs that don't incur fees to be honest. From what I've read they are in the scarce.

Knowing where they are allows you to use them if they are nearby. Also gives you the opportunity to use the one that charge US$1 as opposed to US$5.

Even with the ATM charging a US$1 or US$2(as at the airport), the rate you will receive will be better than you will get from the Post Office.
Don't take advice from people who cannot be bothered.
If Martin Lewis "couldn't be bothered" this resource would not exist.

EveryWhere

Robin9 wrote: »

I know this is a money saving site but practicality comes into this. I don't want to go on ATM hunts

I took 400 dollars and drew 300 out there.

Perhaps you were born a very long time ago. Withdrawing the US$400 even from a fee charging ATM would have provided equal or better value.
Yet you ran around trying to get the US$400 before you travelled.
I just arrive and walk to the airport ATM.

worried_jim

I’ll be arriving next week without a dollar in my pocket and will go straight to the ATM in the terminal where I shall use either my Monzo or Revolut card to get a wad of cash. Simples. Travelling has never been so easy.

Murphy_The_Cat

ontheupslope wrote: »

So you wouldn't recommend taking any cash at all and getting it all out there ? I'm not sure I want to spend my holiday searching for ATMs that don't incur fees to be honest. From what I've read they are in the scarce.

Yes - absolutely.
On my recent trip, I had a few $'s from a previous trip and sucked $100 from an ATM whilst there - and brought a few $ home with me.

Everyman and his dog seems to accept CC's. Simply take several of the "best" CC's and enjoy yourself.

In 20+ years of travelling to the US, I've never found myself far from an ATM IF I've needed one.

ontheupslope

I knew it was worth asking !

Thanks for the advice all.

We are going on the 17th so the starling card should arrive by then hopefully!

:j

EssexExile

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

In 20+ years of travelling to the US, I've never found myself far from an ATM IF I've needed one.

In 40 years of going to The States I've never used an ATM there & gone days without seeing one.

Murphy_The_Cat

EssexExile wrote: »

In 40 years of going to The States I've never used an ATM there & gone days without seeing one.

On my earlier trips, it was always Travellers Cheques for me and then I'd spend the paper $'s that came back in change.

Now that I think of it, just about the only times that we use/spend $$'s is when the children buy something in person, rather than us buying something for them.

On our trip last Christmas, we didn't use an ATM and the only cash we used was leftovers from a previous trip.

heatherw_01

Remember most US ATM's charge a fee to withdraw

EveryWhere

heatherw_01 wrote: »

Remember most US ATM's charge a fee to withdraw

We already covered that some time ago.....

Just take out a chunk of cash initially. Often at the airport there is an ATM, perhaps from a credit union, that charges US1.50. Perhaps less.

So taking out even as little as US$300 costs a mere 0.5%, compared to perhaps 3% you would pay if ordered on-line at the Post Office.

Use cash only when necessary and the card for everything else. That way no need for multiple ATM withdrawals.