Welles

Should we take traveler's checks or debit cards to Paris? What are the advantages/disadvantages of each?

Art

If by Debit cards you mean ATM cards for use at ATM machines, they are fine. Using Debit cards to pay for other purchases can be risky as there is less protection. Credit cards are the best choice for hotels, resturants and purchases. I cary a reserve of Travelr's checks, but have brought them back every year for the last 4 years. Your best exchange rates will be from credit cards and ATM cards. <BR>I've been able to use them in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic and France to name a few. <BR>Make sure that your PIN is in digits. The ATM's do not have letters on them, only numbers. All of the ATM's I've found had the option of English. <BR>Regards, <BR>Art <BR>

tom

This topic has been discussed many (many!) times on this board - if you do a quick search (if the darn search function is working) and you will find hundreds (not an exaggeration) of posts. <BR> <BR>Basically - use your debit/ATM card for cash, credits cards for major purchases, and maybe take a few travelers checks for emergency use only.

Lee

Welles, although traveler's checks are a 'safe' currency and used quite a bit, I don't remember ever using them. <BR> <BR>Remember, cash and traveler's checks are subject to the exchange rates and charges for currency exchange. We usually take a small amount of cash ($50.00-75.00), an ATM card and two credit cards (just in case one comes up with a problem). When using the ATM card to get cash, just watch to see that the fee is reasonable (around $2.00-3.00 US, usually) and use it only when needed, taking enough to get by on (as infrequently as possible). This will give you the exchange rate for that day (or next business day) and no currency exchange fee. Purchases with a credit card can mean the same with typically no additional fee included. <BR> <BR>Some others may have more info.

Donna

I always take some traveler's checks, just in case the debit and/or ATM card doesn't work (which did happen once) anywhere for whatever reason. It's always good to have a backup. You can exchange/cash them at the American Express office or any Post Office. I also bring some French Francs (which I acquire at a less than terrific rate at my local bank), rather than depend upon the ATM at the airport (sometimes out of service, out of money, or long, long lines). I've used my debit card in Paris, with no problems of any sort, but it IS true that you don't have the same rights of dispute as with a credit card. Although, your "rights" are severely limited with foreign transactions on credit cards as well. It IS essential to keep your debit card secure. If stolen, your balance could be wiped out in short order by someone using it for purchases. Your obligation is limited with a credit card once reported missing or stolen. But, the debit card is another matter entirely. Check with your bank. My bank advised I'd "probably have all unauthorized transactions restored eventually". But, you'd be out of luck for the duration of your trip. It's really safer to use an ATM only card (which cannot be used unless someone manages also to acquire your PIN, and this does happen...) and credit cards, then pay off the credit cards when you get home. Do make sure, though, that your credit card providers aren't applying any ridiculous "currency conversion fee". If they have other than the standard MC/Visa 1% fee, use other cards. In a pinch, you can always acquire cash with a credit card, but do check the fees involved and remember that there is typically no grace period regarding interest. If you have no credit cards, you'd definitely want some travelers checks just in case. And, if your bank will issue an ATM only card and a debit/ATM card (ours does), take both. Do keep that debit card secure at all times...

Marcie

Never used the debit card but certainly used our ATM for cash out of the machines. For all other expenses and purchases, use a REAL credit card...using the ATM (fake credit card)debit card the money will be deducted immediately out of your account without having the benefit to review the charges to make sure they are accurate BEFORE paying the bill. Also, please make sure your debit card always requires the use of a pin number. My wallet was stollen in USA and thiefs used my ATM (with Visa logo) and wiped out my account using it where merchants did not require a pin. Now I've replaced my ATM without a Visa logo so a pin will always be required. I learned the hard way!

sam

Do not bother with Traveler's checks!!! You will definitely take them back home with you. They will be much more of a pain to use. Lots of places will not take a credit card if your purchase is not over 100FF, so make sure you have an ATM card. But for most things you can use your credit card.. Good Luck

phil

Welles, <BR>I did not have a problem using my ATM card for cash advances in Paris. Howeve, the exchange rate that my U.S. bank, Fleet, gave was not very good. Also, they charged an additional "foreign" ATM fee. <BR> <BR>I'll echo the comments that credit cards usually provide the best rate. In my experience, American Express, had the best conversion rate. <BR> <BR>You may want to check with you bank regarding its fee's for overseas ATM usage and current exchange rates for FFr before departing. You might get a better deal with Traveler's Checks, particularly is you by them with a low or no fees (through AAA for example.) <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Christina

I just got back recently from Paris and got marginally best rates on ATM usage; my credit card charges actually had worse rates than my travelers checks (on about same dates), regardless of what people tell you. I've heard that a lot about how terrible TCs are, I use them a lot and don't have any trouble cashing them and get good rates); they are more convenient to cash than using an ATM card of you won't use one except when banks are open. TCs are not as good a deal in other places, but are very good in Paris; your CC might be better than mine, mine has a total of 3 pct taken off due to the fees. My TCs would have been better than the ATM if I took out less than about US$100 due to my atm fee of $2. I understand math and rates and don't cash TCs in bad places, though. I never use banks to cash TCs, that's another thing I've never found true in Paris (the advice that banks are better than exchange bureaux). Here were my stats from July in Paris: CC purchases ended up being 7.45F/USD, TCs I got 7.55F/USD (and NO, there were no additional fees, I understand this stuff); I got 7.7F/USD on my ATM card, but had a $2 fee, so on a typical extraction of about USD$100 or 770F, that ends up being only 7.45F/USD, just like my travelers checks. ATMs are often more inconvenient than TCs to me; they can be broken, just not work with your card, or have long lines, and I just won't use one in broad public as it encourages mugging for me. I've never waited in long lines to cash TCs, but as I said, I don't cash them at peak tourist points in Paris (ok, a few times I have waited 5-10 min to cash them inside the Parisvision office near the OPera, as they have some of the best rates in Paris). I would never use a debit card for purchases myself.