And here's something else to consider: my ATM card has never, ever worked at any machine in France on a Sunday until about 4 pm France time. I don't know what the deal is - probably something to do with inter-bank communications, but such things DO happen. And who wants to spend all kinds of time planning and paying for an overseas trip and then have it botched by some silly glitch like this?

I'm with you, StCirq. That's why I still take traveler's checks. I exchange them at Lloyd's of London and get a pretty fair rate of exchange. Of course, I'm older and a little old fashioned, but I like the feeling of knowing my traveler's checks will be replaced if lost or stolen.

I typically have brought some currency and traveler's checks. I echo Ira's concerns about landing without any currency. That said, you can usually find change bureaus (to change cash or TCs) at most ports of entry, though their exchange rates are nearly as bad as at home. Obtaining currency while at home, even if not a necessity, is kind of a fun way to gear up for the trip.

Hi ecat,

You can ask your bank to raise your daily withdrawl limit.

If that won't be enough, ask the apt wner if he/she will accept TC's in Euro. There might be a charge from the bank for he/she to deposit them.

Open another bank account. That way you double your ATM limit.

I was always under the impression that your ATM limit is based on what your home bank sets. I've never heard of a 200-300 euro limit unless this is somethings that's imposed by the local bank. I haven't had any problems before but have always withdrawn small amounts at a time. So if my daily ATM limit is $2000, is it safe to assume that I can withdraw up to the equivalent amount in local currency in one single transaction if necessary?

I just came back from London at the end of January.

I didn't get any Pounds until I arrived at the LHR airport.

As Bank of America customer, I used Barclays ATMs free of charge. There's one right at the Tube connection in the airport. There are Barclays ATMs everywhere in London. The daily limit is what my limit is here at home.

I've checked both my bank statement and credit card statements. Using cash definately gives you the best exchange rate. Credit card companies did not give me a good exchange rate for some reason.

Most, but not all US banks seem to think Sunday is a good time to pull their systems down and voila, ATM access can be a horror. This can happen at home, but often hits people while traveling overseas.

In fact, I have often found even contacting my own bank, while at home on a Sunday gets a response such as "I'm sorry, but our systems are down right now, can you call back in an hour or so." It might be time of day, but it can be anytime on Sunday, also depending on which time-zone one lives in.

So I now remember not to even bothering contacting my bank anytime on Sunday whether by phone while Stateside or if overseas thru an ATM.

Patty asks
>.... if my daily ATM limit is $2000, is it safe to assume that I can withdraw up to the equivalent amount in local currency in one single transaction if necessary?<

No. $2000 is rather high. The ATM machine might run out of money. You might have to use more than one machine.

Others have posted to this board that they had their bank raise their daily limit to $500 - $1000.

Patty:

I think there are two limits when using an ATM. On is the limit set by your bank; the other is the limit set by the bank that runs the ATM. I know in Switzerland I was able to withdraw up to the limit set by my bank (subject to rounding, of course, since you can't get 47 francs from a machine), while in Italy, France, and California, I have been limited to a lesser amount, obviously set by the machine. Both my wife and I carry cards, so we can usually get all we need, as we use credit cards for many purchases.

I think the answers here vary because of where we all live. I live near Cleveland, and our local banks simply don't deal with foreign currency, except Canadian, so to get foreign currency I have to contact some kind of exchange service, get a lousy exchange rate, and pay a delivery premium. I expect that if I lived, for example, in New York city many of the banks would handle foreign currency.

Related question: If you do decide to get pounds or euros before leaving the USA, where do you get them? I would like to have a few pounds when I land in Heathrow to use for transport, tips, etc.

I think you've answered your own question, azresptech. If you want some before you land then you HAVE to get them before you leave the US, unless you happen to run into someone on the plane who wants to sell you some. I usually wait until I land and get them from an ATM right in the airport.

GBP could be bought after leaving the USA and before landing at LHR by buying them at FRA before their connecting flight to LHR.

Hi StCirq, Where do you get a bank draft issued for $5. Also, remember that on a draft you will pay a fee for the draft as well as incur a currency exchange fee. I am quite familiar with the whole draft business as our son is an international student in Canada. The fees for his drafts are $20 US; but we have a very favorable exchange rate in exchange. For large sums of money, this works well.

We always order some of the foreign currency before we go as a matter of familiarizing ourselves with the currency and the convenience of being able to be prepared with money and ready to go when we land.

I am in NYC, so I have no problem with getting foreign currency before we leave. I bank with Citibank and can get foreign currency easily at a branch that is nearby.

I get my currency from Bank of America, but have obtained from a smaller,local bank, also. Thomas Cooke has a service, I think, but considering the exchange rates for TC locations IN Europe, I'd hate to see what they have here in the US!

Sharon:

I have an account with Ruesch International, which has offices in most major cities in the USA. They charge $5.00 for an international draft and $15.00 for a wire transfer. I believe you need an account with them to get these prices, but that's just a matter of signing a form.

Ira

Thanks for the suggestion of getting my ATM limit raised. I did ring the bank who said I could have this done, up the limit for ONE day.

I would need to go into the branch tell them the date I want it for and let them know the amount. Still thinking this over but seems like it could be a solution, so thanks.

azresptech,

I don't think anyone answered your question. You can usually get a few pounds from the main branch banks in cities. Typically they offer prepackaged quantities. In smaller communities, some banks can order foreign currency in, but the price is higher.

Another option is to exchange a few dollars in your departure airport, but if you are unfamiliar with the foreign currency it may be nice to get familiar with it in advance of your trip.

Keith

I like to get about $100 in foreign currency in small bills from my bank before a trip. It costs about $5 more than using an ATM at the destination, but avoids hassles and looking for one more thing to do while jetlagged.

I also carry a back-up ATM. It's for one of those "abolutely free" checking accounts a local bank promoted a while back. Most of the time I keep a minimal balance, but I top it up with just in case of emergency funds before a trip. If my credit card fails, or my primary ATM card is zapped, I still have my backup. Plus, I got a neat tool kit when I opened the free account.

I suggest you use all forms means for tansactions depending upon the situation. Some hotels do not accept credit cards and accept cash only. Other hotels that accept credit cards often offer a discount for cash. Bank card companies charge a conversion fee for transactions. Rental cars require credit cards. When I go to Europe, I get a few Euros or Pounds before I go so I am ready when we land. After that I use cash machines and bank cards, depending on what I need to do. I never use travelor's checks. I also notify my bank and credit card companies when I will be in Europe. Do not walk around with very much cash in your pocket. Theft is a pasttime in Europe. Use a money belt.