Euro travelers checks
Feb 13th, 2004, 06:01 AM
#22
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I'd also like to add that you should call your credit card company and your ATM card company to let them know the dates you will be out of the country and where you are going. Otherwise, it sometimes sends up a red flag that someone may have stolen your card & they cut it off. You might also want to get a number from them that you can call while on vacation in the event that you do lose the card.
Feb 13th, 2004, 07:22 AM
#23
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If you are only planning one holiday in the near future in the Euro-zone i.e. where Euros are the currency then by all means don't buy such a large amount of cash, but if you have nor already paid for your lodging take at least enough to cover that. However, if you regularly travel in the Euro-zone, then it doesn't matter if you have a few Euros or a few hundred Euros still in your possession.
As I've said before this way you ensure that by buying at a good rate, everything you purchase in turn is relatively cheaper than if you were to travel and find the rate has changed against your favour. In fact I have followed my own advice today, buying enough Euros for my summer holidays.
As I've said before this way you ensure that by buying at a good rate, everything you purchase in turn is relatively cheaper than if you were to travel and find the rate has changed against your favour. In fact I have followed my own advice today, buying enough Euros for my summer holidays.
Feb 14th, 2004, 07:33 AM
#24
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I don't carry a lot of cash at any time. I don't want to take any chances.
I will wear a money belt because I will have to carry more cash than usual. I will have to pay for my lodging in cash.
I expect not to get a good rate. Just one of the costs of the trip.
I understand that there is a limit on the amount of cash that can be withdrawn using an ATM card. $300 a day or maybe 300 Euro. Is that correct?
I will wear a money belt because I will have to carry more cash than usual. I will have to pay for my lodging in cash.
I expect not to get a good rate. Just one of the costs of the trip.
I understand that there is a limit on the amount of cash that can be withdrawn using an ATM card. $300 a day or maybe 300 Euro. Is that correct?
Feb 17th, 2004, 07:21 PM
#25
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1flygal,
I haven't read the rest of this thread but I thought I should put in my 2 cents.
I was in Rome at the end of November and I went alone. I had Euros in Cash and Traveller Cheques in American. I used my Credit Card once because I didn't have enough Euros on me.(Last day and I wanted a few more souvenirs)
I cashed my Traveller Cheques both at my hotel (1Euro cost $1.25 US) and at the Vatican Museum (it was based on whatever the bank was at) The only thing with the Traveller Cheques was I needed my passport at the Vatican..the hotel wasn't a problem...just your room number.
Never used the ATM because they all seemed to be in bad locations when I was looking. They can be really close to the sidewalk and the road..so if someone was going to rob me they would have gotten away quickly.
I only carried what I thought I was going to use that day (cash/cheque) and took one of my credit cards for impulse or emergency while I was out.
I only ran into one problem for begging and it wasn't a problem. She was nice when I said no and let me move on. There was no mugging, no swarming but then again I tried to go out with tours and places I felt secure.
I did however walk from my hotel up to the tour office a couple of times, twice between the hotel & the Coliseum and once from the hotel all the way to the Vatican. But I made sure I was on the side of the road where there were stores and a few people going to and from work. These were not short walks.
I hope you enjoy Italy and if you go to Venice during your trip email me at sjw_hotmail.com I would love to know how it was for a single woman.
DisneyDiva
I haven't read the rest of this thread but I thought I should put in my 2 cents.
I was in Rome at the end of November and I went alone. I had Euros in Cash and Traveller Cheques in American. I used my Credit Card once because I didn't have enough Euros on me.(Last day and I wanted a few more souvenirs)
I cashed my Traveller Cheques both at my hotel (1Euro cost $1.25 US) and at the Vatican Museum (it was based on whatever the bank was at) The only thing with the Traveller Cheques was I needed my passport at the Vatican..the hotel wasn't a problem...just your room number.
Never used the ATM because they all seemed to be in bad locations when I was looking. They can be really close to the sidewalk and the road..so if someone was going to rob me they would have gotten away quickly.
I only carried what I thought I was going to use that day (cash/cheque) and took one of my credit cards for impulse or emergency while I was out.
I only ran into one problem for begging and it wasn't a problem. She was nice when I said no and let me move on. There was no mugging, no swarming but then again I tried to go out with tours and places I felt secure.
I did however walk from my hotel up to the tour office a couple of times, twice between the hotel & the Coliseum and once from the hotel all the way to the Vatican. But I made sure I was on the side of the road where there were stores and a few people going to and from work. These were not short walks.
I hope you enjoy Italy and if you go to Venice during your trip email me at sjw_hotmail.com I would love to know how it was for a single woman.
DisneyDiva
Feb 18th, 2004, 03:31 AM
#26
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Hi 1fly,
Our experience was that the ATMs would spit out only up to 300E at one time.
However, you can use them more than once a day if you arrange a higher daily limit with your bank.
You can make daily payments on your hotel bill if you don't want to have large amounts of cash on hand. Make sure you get a receipt for each payment.
A AAA cash card is the same as an ATM card. Ask them how much they add to the bank exchange rate and how much they charge per transaction to see if it is worth using. My bank charges only 75 cents per transaction.
The pickpocket/thief problem is somewhat overrated. Yes, thousands of visitors are robbed every year, but consider how many millions there are.
Just be aware of your surroundings, don't let anyone touch you if you can avoid it, don't let your luggage or purse sit unprotected - not even for a second.
Our experience was that the ATMs would spit out only up to 300E at one time.
However, you can use them more than once a day if you arrange a higher daily limit with your bank.
You can make daily payments on your hotel bill if you don't want to have large amounts of cash on hand. Make sure you get a receipt for each payment.
A AAA cash card is the same as an ATM card. Ask them how much they add to the bank exchange rate and how much they charge per transaction to see if it is worth using. My bank charges only 75 cents per transaction.
The pickpocket/thief problem is somewhat overrated. Yes, thousands of visitors are robbed every year, but consider how many millions there are.
Just be aware of your surroundings, don't let anyone touch you if you can avoid it, don't let your luggage or purse sit unprotected - not even for a second.
Feb 20th, 2004, 01:59 PM
#27
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Thanks again. It is a lot to think about. I will use all suggestions.
I talked to someone last week who said she used a copy of her passport instead of the real thing when she needed ID. Not sure for what. She doesn't use traveler's checks.
I will be going to Venice, I will try to remember to let you know how it was Disneydiva.
I talked to someone last week who said she used a copy of her passport instead of the real thing when she needed ID. Not sure for what. She doesn't use traveler's checks.
I will be going to Venice, I will try to remember to let you know how it was Disneydiva.
Feb 20th, 2004, 07:09 PM
#31
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>>Koshka is right about taking no more than 200USD (or its foreign equivalent).<<
I think that since this board is about Europe, we should only refer to European currency...and NEVER mention US Dollars! -
I think that since this board is about Europe, we should only refer to European currency...and NEVER mention US Dollars! -
Feb 20th, 2004, 08:16 PM
#32
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lyb, your point seems to make sense, but since there are nearly a dozen current currencies in Europe, what must we do, list all of them with appropriate amounts when we don't know what countries someone is going to? I think it's much easier to say, "I always get the equivalent of about $300 US from the ATM" rather than listing how many pounds that would be, how many euro it would be, how many Swiss Francs it would be, how many Kroner, etc., etc.
Feb 20th, 2004, 10:53 PM
#33
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Patrick,
I guess sarcasm doesn't always come across the internet....I was referring to M Kingdom's comment that we should all spell "cheques" that way because it was a "European" board.
I didn't really mean that we shouldn't mention the US Dollars...trust me...I'm not that silly.
I guess sarcasm doesn't always come across the internet....I was referring to M Kingdom's comment that we should all spell "cheques" that way because it was a "European" board.
I didn't really mean that we shouldn't mention the US Dollars...trust me...I'm not that silly.
