Using cash in USA?

jillybee

Hi,
Due to a work collegue falling ill, i am going to Calafornia THIS friday for a conference (one week long).
I do not have a credit card. Can i use my Swith Maestro Debit card etc to pay for hotels, food etc? Or should I just take lots of Dollars?
I have never been to America and was told they deal mainly with Visa/Mastercard so am worried I wont be able to pay for things.
Ps- I am not authorised to take works credit card, i have to claim back money when i get home.

Thanks for any help!

PBA

Paying on card would be advisable, as then you'll have a record on your bank statement for how much each transaction has cost you in sterling for when you claim it back. I think that Maestro works in places that take Mastercard in the States, so shouldn't be a problem using it, and you'll definitely be able to use it in cash machines over there anyway.

duchy

Mastercard and Maestro are the same thing I believe-but call your bank for reassurance-as a back up you could ask work to advance you the cost of the room and take that in travellers cheques so if your card got lost or stolen you have some other funds.
Sounds exciting-have a fab time and if you have any questions just ask

M4RKM

i've had problems with a maestro card before in the US. . when using it, you'll get asked whether it is "credit or debit"

now our instant thought is to say debit, because that is what it is.. However, each time i did, it always got declined, and i couldn't purchase with it.

The trick is to say "credit" and suprisingly it will work in most places. Some places don't know the Maestro name, and won't accept them.

Also, bear in mind about the 2.75% Exchange Rate fee that most banks will load onto the cost of changing money. Now if you're getting it on expenses, you ain't fussed!!!

I'd still take a wodge of cash to be on the safe side.. the maestro card works perfectly fine in ATMS!

steveo3002

most hotels and car rental require a credit card imprint even if you want to pay by cash/debt card

its incase you trash the room or run up a huge phone bill, that way they charge the credit card

i think you will struggle with a maestro card tbh

jillybee

Thanks for the quick replies.
Hopefully the hotel wont mind Maestro/cash but there is not much I can do now, as its too late to get credit card!

Thanks for the info so far.