Cash / Cards Usa

[Meg888]

Hi I'm lucky enough to be venturing off to Disneyworld Florida next month. I've never been to the US before and I don't know anyone directly who has. So I'm looking for some advice in how to carry my money. Are we allowed to chip & pin over there? in Spain we have to produce our passport to do this. I'm not likely to do this often, it's more in case I have an emergency. Or am I best carrying cash? TIA

[mikey4444]

My experience says that you can use your chip and pin pretty well everywhere. For day-to-day cash, use your Debit Card, although find out directly from your Bank what the charges will be, if any. Use your Credit Card for larger purchases, in shops and when eating out. You should find plenty of "hole-in-the-walls" where you can take money out, and none of these devices have ever been known to ask for your passport !

You will, of course, need some money directly on arrival, so take perhaps £200-£300 in dollars. If you have an extra Credit Card or Debit Card, keep that somewhere safe, just in case of emergencies.

Are you hiring a car ? Difficult to imagine having a holiday in the States without one, and I am sure you don't intend to spend the whole 14 days in Disneyworld ! You will need a Credit Card, with plenty of "space" on it, as the car hire company will take a swipe when you collect the car.

[Meg888]

Hi Mikey thanks for your response. I'm not hiring a car no, I would not be confident enough to drive out there. I'm staying with my daughter inside WDW, and have arranged days out of the park where transport has been pre-arranged. It was chip & pin in Spain which prompted the cashiers to ask for my passport, I just want to be prepared as much as poss. I'm sure I read somewhere that the US is way behind the times with chip & pin, and that a lot of places still do the swipe & sign?

[237SJ]

Chip & pin hasn`t really come to the US. They still tend to swipe the card and you sign the electronic screen.

[jennyjoan]

I have been to America about 4 times and always maybe bad for me I just bring the money and stuffed into a bum bag - mind you if I was looking for some money - it was bad looking - like feeling yourself - usually I went into toilet. I didn't trust the card business.

[jennyjoan]

oh by the way bum bag was usually under my outer wear as well.

[mikey4444]

Very high risk JJ ! Even if it was under your petticoats. Best to just get cash little by little when you need it.

[jennyjoan]

well Mikey - aren't you charged is it "commission" every single time you lift money.

[Mamyalynne]

I am not a traveller but have heard it is wise to inform your card provider you may be using it out of the country.

My Son in Law was in China a couple of weeks back and had issues in that regard. Fortunately he had other cards to use.

[jno]

by the way, it's not a bum bag in the USA, it's a fanny pack. Try not to giggle.

[jno]

I've got a Saga credit card, which doesn't charge for being used for foreign currency.

[jaynethepain]

Good advice before, take some cash for incidentals and use your credit card for restauarnts, shopping etc. most places do the swiping, the odd store has asked for ID but I've always got my driving licence with me for that.

There will be a small charge for each credit card transaction which will show when you get your statement. There's plenty of ATMs if you run out of cash. I wouldn't take a large amount of cash if I were you but be aware that if you lose your credit card, anyone can pick it up and use it - a thief would just need to copy your signature.

Have fun, you'll love it!

[jaynethepain]

And tell your credit card company beforehand where and when you are travelling. If you don't they may stop the card as they perceive it being used 'abnormally'

[VHG]

I took Travellers cheques when I went a few years ago.

They are accepted in most of the places (restaurants, bars etc) and some places even give change for them.

The great thing is they are all individually numbered so if you lose them you inform the people you got them from and the cancel them all and give you more.

I would definitely take a credit card, they are used everywhere and much better than carrying loads of cash round with you.

Make sure you fill out an ETSA form before you go (but beware of some dodgy web sites that charge you a lot for filling out the form).

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/esta-usa-visa

[Meg888]

Hi thanks for the advice everyone, especially that of informing the CC company that we're away, I would never have thought of that, but makes a lot of sense. I've got my ESTA, I followed the advice on the Martin Lewis website, I did have to pay a small charge, but it wasn't a lot. I've got my travel insurance, so I think I've got everything sorted?

[dzug2]

.. well Mikey - aren't you charged is it "commission" every single time you lift money. ..

Yes - but you are also charged commission when you buy cash here to take with you - often more than your card would charge you in the US

[puzzled54]

I go to USA a couple of times a year. Get some cash for small purchases, then use a credit card for everything else - I have the Halifax card which does not charge for use abroad (but the cash card does). You can use your credit card everywhere, and only have to sign for amounts over $20. For less than that, you just swipe and go. If you are staying in wdw, I think you get a swipe card to use in the parks that will charge everything to your room.