Travelling to USA and getting a prepaid card

steve19772018987

In the end we did get a Starling card as there were zero fee's across the board. 

I'll have a bit of cash but is it as simple as just using the card if we need to pay for something and they will handle the rest with a great exchange rate or is the Starling account merely a secure location for the money but I should still pay for things in physical dollars?

NoodleDoodleMan

For the USA I reckon a Chase card is a better option - part of J.P.Morgan they have many branches and ATMs, no fees for taking currency.

steve19772018987

There's no fees for Starling either but what put me off a Chase card was the need to pay in at least £1,500 after the first year.

eDicky

Just pay using your Starling debit card, ideal MasterCard exchange rate without fees. Always select to pay in USD if a choice USD/GBP is given by the payment terminal. Physical dollars will be rarely needed, if ever, maybe tips.

michele-p

Don't be too worried when you pay at a restaurant if they take the card away to swpie it! It's very different to here in the UK - you ask to the bill, they bring over a print out, it usually has a few tip % to choose from printed on too - like 18%, 20% and 25% for example. You write the tip amount YOU choose on the bill, and the total of the whole amount, and sign it.  Only 1 or 2 places had chip and pin machines to bing to you when we were in the US last month.

We barley used any cash, but did take around $500 in cash just in case, we had to remember to spend this to get rid of it by the end of the holiday!

NoodleDoodleMan

steve19772018987 said:

There's no fees for Starling either but what put me off a Chase card was the need to pay in at least £1,500 after the first year.

Is that not the monthly requirement for cashback - and can be transferred in and out again in quick time ?

Looks as if you've misinterpreted the Ts&Cs.