Realizing that using a credit card is the efficient way to go when traveling (in conversation with friends and Message Board participants). How much currency (DMs) should I get before I go? <BR> <BR>My husband and I will be in Germany for 7 days. First time travelers.

Tracy, <BR>When traveling to any foreign country, I usually obtain between the equivalent of $100 to $200. If the dollar is doing really well against the currency of whatever country I'm visiting (Italy for instance, springs to mind), I opt for the lower end of the scale. If it's not quite as high as that of the foreign country's (UK, for example), I go to the highest end of the spectrum. Some people might find it a bit much, but you never know what may befall you that you need to pay in cash. <BR>Happy Travels, <BR>BC

We found that ATMs are "everywhere" and work very well ! Find out from your bank if your pin number (not more than 4 numbers !) is valid in Germany. <BR>Have a good trip ! <BR>

Well, now IS a credit card the most efficient way to fund a trip?? Recent decisions by major banks to charge an extra 2% on top of the 1% charged by Master Card and Visa have altered the picture. Let us presume for the sake of argument that you have a $700 hotel bill to pay. If you charge it, the add on is $14. You can go to the bank and draw out the eqivalent in currency to pay the bill. Perhaps you will be charged $1.50 as a withdrawal fee. <BR>I have not priced converting traveler's checks, but I don't think it would cost you $14 to convert $700 worth. <BR>I think now that the best ploy may be to get traveler's checks in the local currency, if available, and not use a credit card. Of course, the comparison depends on how much the check issuing agency charges. I can get them for only a slight surcharge for the foreign currenty at AAA or at my bank. <BR>If you can find a credit card issuer that does not slap on the 2% extra charge, a credit card is still the way to go. <BR>In your position, I would not get much German currency here in the states because you will pay considerably more for it than you will by using ATM machines in Europe. If you are landing at Munich, I know that ATM machines are easy to find. I assume the same is true of the airport at Frankfurt am Main. <BR>I also saw people paying in US dollars in Munich as well. If you really needed something, I think dollars would be taken, until you could locate the automatic cash dispenser.

Just a short addition to the ATM machine comment which was very true is that on some of the popular islands, the machines ran out of money ( for 2 days at one point) so unless you could manage for a few days on the DM's, it was necessary to eat in pricier restaurants that took Visa ( and had cover charges etc)

Bob Brown above made an interesting point on credit cards versus cash. The only part missing was exactly how many dollars does it take to purchase the necessary 700DM from the bank to pay the bill versus how many total dollars does your bank end up charging you on your credit card for the 700DM bill. I check this out everytime we go overseas and I still believe that the credit card is the way to go for most things and cash from the ATM machine located in the country you are in is best for cash. It just seems to work best for ease of transactions and safety by not carrying a lot of cash. Travelers checks for me are out. I last used them in 1991 and still have some from then I need to spend. They have made about 15 trips to Europe and are getting worn out. <BR> <BR>One other tip for Europe: My wife and I both carry different credit cards when we are overseas and do not carry the one the other has. That way if one of you is picked, the other still has a good credit card to finish the trip. If you both carry the same card....you are out of luck. <BR> <BR>Oh yeah.....Get the DMs in Germany. Pleanty of spots in the airport to do this.

Before my last trip to France, I got the minimum in French Francs before left because I wanted to go directly to my hotel without having to hunt for an ATM at CDG airport. I paid 5% more for the francs at my bank than I would have paid had I used my ATM in France. <BR> <BR>I say take with you the minimum and regard it as a convenience. I arrived in Zurich in 1998 and found that the ATM in the airport was out of order and my train was within a few minutes of leaving. <BR>The bank was open and I cashed/converted a traveler's check to obtain some Swiss francs. That was the only time I have ever had to use a traveler's check. <BR>I think I have two checks that have crossed the Atlantic twice. <BR>

Also, many European countries are converting to Euros in the New Year, so don't bring back too many DM etc, as they will not be so easy to change next year.