hey guys!!!<BR>i'm starting to plan my trip for the fall and wondering what the best way to carry/handle money is...? i'll be in italy for three months and will be paying by cash for a lot of things. i know i can use my ATM card for purchases---should i take amex travel chex? what's your take....?

Personally I wouldn't use travelers checks. Just get cash from the ATM. You might want to think twice about the debit card. If lost you could get cleaned out. Use the credit card for purchases and ATM for cash. I dont even use the debit feature in the US. I've had it deactivated. Also, some places may charege a surcharge. I'll probably hear it from others but thats my opinion.

I agree with the above if you are travelling to an industrialized country. If you are travelling to Burma, Burundi, Belize, or other unusual country, I would check to make sure your card works in their ATMs (if any).<BR><BR>Better yet, bring some cash as a backup. I usually bring US dollars, but I also have a supply of Australian and Canadian dollars, pound sterling, and Euros at home.

Back in the 80's I'd bring travelers checks but I've gone to Europe many times in the last 5 years and used my ATM card easily in England, France, Italy, Spain &amp; Portugal. I never bother with the checks any more.<BR><BR>I also bring a couple credit cards as back-up. I like to use my Capitol One card because their conversion rate charge is less than all my others (2% vs. 3% on most cards). My bank, Wells Fargo, also started charging 2% for currency conversion. Bummer but the rates still beat most of the Cambio/currency exchange places where I've visited.<BR><BR>Since I'd take out $200-$300 worth of local currency at a time, I'd put most of the cash in a money belt or other hidden pouch, and only carry $50 or so in my pocket.

We just returned from Germany and all 5 of us used cash and credit cards. Some of us withdrew cash from ATMs, which you can use provided your card is Plus or Star compatible. Otherwise VISA/Mastercard is most wise to use next to cash.