Pocket money
Jun 2nd, 2014, 02:45 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2010
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Definitely not U.S. cash, they use the euro in Italy. Nobody uses travellers cheques anymore, very difficult to find somewhere to cash them.
Take your credit cards for big things like your hotel and large purchases and take your debit card to withdraw euro from an ATM for spending money, restaurant meals etc. Check with your bank to see if they are affiliated with any banks in Italy so you can avoid the fee your bank will charge for using another bank's ATM. Make sure you let your credit card company and bank know the dates and places of your trip to avoid having your card frozen because their fraud dept sees unusual activity.
And have a great trip!
Take your credit cards for big things like your hotel and large purchases and take your debit card to withdraw euro from an ATM for spending money, restaurant meals etc. Check with your bank to see if they are affiliated with any banks in Italy so you can avoid the fee your bank will charge for using another bank's ATM. Make sure you let your credit card company and bank know the dates and places of your trip to avoid having your card frozen because their fraud dept sees unusual activity.
And have a great trip!
Jun 2nd, 2014, 02:54 PM
#3
>>What is the best $ to take to Italy to use for spending - US$ cash, credit cards or travellers cheques?<<
None -- if you actually mean cash/pocket money. US cash is useless (have you tried using € in the USA?). Travelers checks are totally useless - most banks won't even accept them. And using credit cards to get cash out of an ATM is very expensive.
So leave your cash in your checking account and use your debit card to get € as you need it from ATMs. You can also use your credit card to make many purchases (but don't use it to get cash)
None -- if you actually mean cash/pocket money. US cash is useless (have you tried using € in the USA?). Travelers checks are totally useless - most banks won't even accept them. And using credit cards to get cash out of an ATM is very expensive.
So leave your cash in your checking account and use your debit card to get € as you need it from ATMs. You can also use your credit card to make many purchases (but don't use it to get cash)
Jun 2nd, 2014, 05:07 PM
#4
Join Date: Oct 2003
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You pay for larger expenses with a credit card. You pull pocket money from your checking account at an ATM associated with a bank with your debit card. This gives you a much better rate of exchange (1 to 3% above interbank rate versus 8 to 10% above for changing cash - if you can find a bureau de change - banks don't want to deal with foreign currencies any more).
NO ONE wants travelers checks and you would likely have to bring them home with you. This is the 21st century and banking is digital - all over europe.
NO ONE wants travelers checks and you would likely have to bring them home with you. This is the 21st century and banking is digital - all over europe.
