I understand the concept of wearing a moneybelt and keeping some money readily accessible in a pocket or somwehere else. However, I often also read that people should put their credit cards in their moneybelts. Question -- don't people use their credit cards multiple times during a day? Where do you keep credit cards so that they are safe but accessible? Also, has anyone ever worn a neck "moneybelt" wallet and if so, how is that?

Hi E,

My wife and I use the wallets. We keep everything valuable in them except for some cash and one CC.

I keep the CC in my front trouser or shirt pocket and I close that pocket with a safety pin.

That way, even if a thief can get a finger in my pocket, the opening is too small for the card to get out.

I think one big thing to consider when using a moneybelt (and I routinely do) is the type of clothing you are going to wear it UNDER. If it is failry easy to pull it out from underneath the waistband that makes a big difference.

No, I don't know that people are necessarily constantly pulling out credit cards...but remember that moneybelts are more useful in some places than in others. For example, if you are touring the ruins or strolling around some small town there se3ems less chance of a theft vs. on a crowded Metro, in a busy train station, at the airport, etc.

I've used the neck version also but find it to be rather bulky feeling so have stuck with the "classic" style.

I kept one credit card in my wallet in my pocket (with a enough money for the day) and another cc in my neck pouch (didn't like the feel of a money belt)-the idea being that if my credit card in my pocket was stolen, I would have another one to use and of course the stolen one would be reported.

Joelle

I did try the around the neck pouch. Instead of letting it dangle down my "front", I wore it under my arm (like you would a shoulder bag). I felt my things were safe enough...in my purse I had my "i'm willing to lose this" but I'm careful with my purse here at home or anywhere, so I just use it now. No problems for me.

I too have had these same concerns.

The major fears are losing one's passport, ATM/credit cards, cash, plane ticket, and jewelry.

When I travel, I make sure not to bring any valuable jewelry, and if you do, you should try to stay at a hotel that provides a safe in the room. Also, I've noticed that even on international flights these days, paper tickets are being used less frequently than e-tickets.

That narrows down the list of protectables to passport, atm/credit card, and money. These items should really be on your person and accessable at all times. So, while it is true that one should carry these items in the front pockets of one's pants, people are still fearful of clever pickpockets and waves of gypsy children reaching in everywhere, a valid concern. So, I purchased special travel pants which are not only lightweight (I do most of my travelling in the summer), but they also have a security zippered pocket inside the front pocket of your pants. This is where I keep my passport, credit/atm card, and large bills...and it's very easy to access. The pants are all-purpose (good for restaurants, museums, and even hiking) and do not fall apart too easily.

These convenient pants allowed me to lose the money belt entirely!

We are going to be spending 7 nights in Paris as part of our trip, so we will be using the Metro and the train stations quite a bit.

I use the moneybelt that goes around the waist. Have done so for 6 trips to Europe and no trouble yet. Yes, I carry my money and credit cards in the money belt. I always try to access the money etc.in private. By the way, someone on this site mentioned wearing the belt with the "pouch" on your back and not your front as I usually do. I tried this in Italy last May and it was more comfortable this way. Good luck.

Well, I only use credit cards for hotel bills or emergencies so no I don't need to pull it out several times a day.

Personally I use a normal pocketbook and wallet just like I do at home when traveling. And divide up my cash and cards and leave some at the hotel locked in my suitcase.

I live in a major US city and don't see traveling someplace like Paris that it is necessary to do anything different. I think moneybelts really are important for trips for instance where someone is traveling Europe for 6 months and staying in youth hostels. For 1 week only and staying a a nice hotel, I'd find using a moneybelt a bit much, just my opinion.

In cooler weather, I wear zip up boots- I constructed a pocket inside them for my credit card and cash.

I keep one credit card and some cash in my daypack/purse. The remaining cash, ATM/debit card, transport docs (ie. train tickets), etc go into a money belt, worn around in the small of my back. Usually my passport is there, too, unless we're on a train or plane, in which case it goes into daypack interior zip pocket.

The objective is to minimize any losses. Had a coin purse stolen out of daypack while holding onto pole of tram with both hands while in Amsterdam. Loss = 30Euro or so. Husband used to keep passport deep in front pants pocket, until he thinks he lost it b/c he pulled gloves out of same pocket. Now he uses a leg safe, comfortably affixed to calf with velcro straps.

No, we don't take these measures at home, but we are operating in familiar routines and locations there, and have other resources if a loss is incurred.

Plan to use your hotel and/or room safe to hold your cash/ATM and passport and charge cards ... and with you each day, take the card you need and enough cash. Simply do what you do at home to safeguard money and cards, and stop assuming you'll be a bigger target. Why all this emphasis on money belts?

I too am tempted to just take typical precautions (I work in NYC so I am used to being in crowded places). However, pickpocketing is, from everything I read, far more prevalent in Europe than it is here in the States. If you read Rick Steves, he says the single biggest mistake that American travellers make is not wearing a moneybelt in Europe. He points out that Americans tend to think that things in Europe are just like at home when they are not. I have not been in Paris in many years, but I can recall getting off the TGV in Paris in 1985 and almost immeditaely being bothered by a child beggar with a card for me to read. He would not take a hint and I eventually had to slap his hand -- I had read about pickpocketing schemes and recognized what was happening. I will be there in August for 7 nights with my family and since there are five of us, just carrying a little accessible cash is not an option -- we need to be able to get to real cash and credit cards. Aside from moneybelts, I have seen some people in this thread refer to special clothing and other methods. I would like to know more.

I also work (live) in NYC. When I first arrived here years ago, I learned these two methods for carrying cash, from my waitress days when we all had to getg home at night with our tips intact.
I have sewn pockets into both my boots and bra for cash. I do this myself. I have also tried those strap-on leg things and wear a money belt when traveling between cities.
I was a target of gypsies years ago, but once was enough. I ALWAYS leave my passport at a hotel safe (also, there is a black market for Amwerican Passports in some countries) but always carry a copy of it.
In this instance, I agree with RS, many American tourists underestimate the skills of pickpockets overseas. But IMO being AWARE of what's around you is the best way to prevent mishaps. ie., when you're reading maps while standing in a crowded bus, or walking along the street, you make yourself an easy target.
Pickpockets in major cities are likely well aware of neckpouches, travel pants, money belts, etc., so I like to keep my cash and cc's in my shoe or bra. A pickpocket won't go for the shoe, and it goes without saying that if anyone tried for the other place, I would notice in plenty of time!

I'm with Suze and just do my travel purse (large enough for guide book, umbie etc.) - no bags or pack or holders or ???. Have never had a problem in more than 50+ trips to europe - but then I'm from New York and naturally take precautions that I have come to learn are not always obvious to small town folks.

Also, I think if you do youth hotsels, sleep on trians and hang out in a lot of train stations you may have more problems (we almost always road trip - although we do use public transport in major cities - and have never had problems - although have seen a couple of incidents with tourists who were somewhat unconscious of their surroundings.)

I tried the neck pouch but found it too bulky and no matter how I positioned it, you could tell it was under there, (more of an issue for women than for men given body shapes), plus the neck cord showed above my collar and the one I had had this stupid obvious big wood button/knob type thing on the cord. I dumped it pretty quick and got a money belt, wearing that under my slacks with a shirt or sweater that hangs loose (that is, doesn't tuck in)- makes me just look a bit chubbier, rather than like I'm concealing my valuables. I use a large safety pin to pin the moneybelt inside my slacks for extra security. But I don't put my passport or credit card in the moneybelt because if you need to use them (and the passport will be your ID while traveling), removing them from the money belt in public will of course defeat the whole point of using the belt in the first place. To keep my CC and passport as secure as possible, I carry a small purse when traveling, one that has a zipper rather than a clasp, and with a long enough strap that I can sling it diagonally across my chest & tuck it under my arm. If you MUST access the money belt while out & about, find a toilet or other private place to do it.

On my first trip to Europe in 1990 a friend loaned me a moneybelt that was square shaped and went over your shoulder and under your arm like a shoulder holster. I really liked it. I set out to find my own. I searched high and low, store, internet and couldn't find it. I really did not like the neck or waist one. Finally one day in Harrods of all places I found one. It is fabulous. I put a small safety pin thru my bra strap as a just in case. It has a good shape, easy to fit passport into, it has two pockets, a smaller one that I keep my cash and credit cards in so if pulling out passport for some reason I don't risk knocking out my money or cards. Many family and friends wanted one. They are no more at Harrods, not at luggage store or the internet. Never have found another one, looking for about 6 or 7 years now. If anyone has seen these shoulder holster types anywhere, let me know.

ggnga:

I found what you were describing on the internet. It's called the Holsta. Click the link...

http://www.menda.com.au/shopdisplayp...olster%2BStyle

Here's what I learned from a tour guide in Rome: wear a neck pouch on a long cord that reaches diagonally across your body (like some women carry shoulder purses). Wear it under at least one layer of clothes, and keep in it your money, cards and passports. Carry in your purse only things you can afford to lose. I usually wear my pouch tucked into the waistband of my pants, and then wear an untucked T shirt or sweater over it. That way, I can pull the pouch out of the waistband to access money or cards and easily tuck it back in when finished. I am careful to do this only when inside a shop or restaurant, never on the street. My husband and I travel out of the US several times a year, and have never had anything stolen, despite some obvious attempts.

To: tskobo

Thank you so much. I just ordered 3.
The picture looks identical to what I have. I should have know Fodor's friends would have the answer!