well to answer some questions i gave my mom the cash and used her credit card online to buy my ticket. but i dont see how i can use a womens credit card abroad. i am only 22 with bad credit. and i just moved home from new jersey so i closed my bank account. everyone doesnt need to snap on me lol. this was last minute just seekin some advice. but i like tthe prepaid credit car idea or w.e i think walmart does that. maybe my best shot. any other advicce keep um comin. thanks for the people being nice. we all make mistakes, i dont need to be lectured :(

If you have US cash, just carry it, buy a money belt and use it, and exchange currency once you arrive.

Maybe, with bad credit at only 22 years of age, you ought to listen to the content of the lectures you attend. I'd be willing to bet you've tuned out of more than one lecture.

On what authority do I speak? 5+ years of budget counseling in my retirement years, people who thought a time payment plan only meant one had to sign the plan, not to pay on it. People with $15K income and two plasma TVs (can't go with entertainment, you know). People who make bad decisions and blame other people (or bad luck) for their circumstances.

Take cash and exchange it. It doesn't get much easier than that, nor do I see many options since you have no home bank to work with. Go to the exchange booth at your arrival airport. What do you have in mind instead?

i can open an account at bank of america and get a same day temporary ATM for 30 days

put they mentioned a 5$ fee and a 5$ over seas fee, so like 10$ per transaction, unless i got to a specific bank there and its free. hmmm. i still think with the feees and even if i do 3 transactions ill save 50 euros at least

Nope - just (just !) $5 per withdrawal - not $10. It is their normal outrageous out-of-system fee.

You could pick just about ANY bank and have lower fees. However - BofA has partner banks in some European countries - and you wouldn't pay any fees if you use those banks.

Get a VISA prepaid card and use it like an ATM. I used it 2 years ago since I didn't have an ATM, but I also used my credit card. The rates per transaction are NOT good, but considering the bind you are in this is your best bet. I just opened an acct. at my credit union specifically for travel and will use the ATM card when we go to Italy in June. Good luck!

My daughter worked in a cafe at Albert dock Liverpool & a few times meals were paid for in dollars - I was also in London & I have heard Americans asked if they were paying in dollars. Tourist sites give you receipts that show the US$ price of entry as well as Euro & £. You could get away with bringing $ - it's like buying a stamp with a $100 bill - you might not be popular but you can do it.

Maybe your Italian girlfriend can help you out. You can exchange your dollars for Euros with her at a good rate. That way, she's all set to visit you next time.

In multiple trips to London and other parts of the UK I have never, ever seen a tourist site receipt (or any other sort of receipt) with the cost listed in US dollars. That makes absolutely no sense - are they going to reprint them to adjust for the exchange rate every day?

<You could get away with bringing $ - it's like buying a stamp with a $100 bill - you might not be popular but you can do it.>

Of course you can do it. Just be prepared to bend over when you exchange them for euros.