Should I leave home without it?

Do the italian train companies take it....

Would my bank debit card be better?

JB

While I prefer AMEX because I like their customer service, you should definitely also bring a Visa or MC.

Check the surcharges as well. Last week AMEX told me they add 3% to all transactions in EURO over and above exchange rate.

Get a Capital One card unless a local credit union can provide you with a no fee card. Last I heard, banks like the Bank of America added on 3% for no value added while Capital One did not.

I hope there has been no change in policy. I have a Capital One card and last summer, I checked carefully and there were no add ons.

One practice to be aware of however, is called dynamic currency conversion. That is a polite way of saying "rip off the gullible." If the seller wants to do a dynamic conversion, ask for your bill in euros. If that does not work, pay cash.

At hotels I ask in advance these days, always. If they say they can only do it in dynamic form, then I estimate my bill, and pay in money. ATM machines are plentiful, and you can pay each day if you want.

Of course, if you are the kind that has to float a balance, then you may be stuck.

Last May we used my Chase VISA card for hotel charges; the rest we paid in cash. Boy, am I glad we used cash as much as we did as Chase added 3% to all charges. My credit union did not charge any fees for ATM withdrawals. In the future, I'm paying everything in cash.

I don't leave home without mine because I get Delta FFlyer Miles - but you must also take your debit card for Euros and like the other poster said you should take a Visa or MC because not all places take AM EX. You should call all of your credit card companies and bank prior to your trip to alert them that you are traveling and the dates you will be using your cards abroad.

Most Places in Europe, except the American Hotels, or the non-BandB's do not take AmEx. I always use my Visa and my Debit Card. Be sure to call your bank and advise them you are going overseas so they don't automatically get suspicious about the charges and put a stop to your cards. that would not be fun. BancoMats a/k/a ATM's are all over. As soon as we arrive in a country from the airport, the first thing I do is ask where the BancoMat is and get money. The conversion rates are so much higher when you do it any other way. But remember, there are some fees associated with using the BancoMat. Try to take out like $500 or so. A mistake I made recently was only taking out what I needed for a day or 2, afraid of the money getting stolen, so I kept going to the BancoMat for money. Boy, those fees did add up. Next time I would get enough money to last 4 days or so. In the last 2 years, we have spend 8 weeks in Italy and have not had any problem with theft. We always use our money belts or neck holders. Never in our pockets or purses.

Good to know!

The AE card seem to be more widely accepted in Italy, compared to some other countries. Most 3*-and-up hotels and restaurants do take them.

In Palermo, we actually ate at a restaurant that takes AE but not Mastercard. [I forgot to ask whether they take VISA.]

Thanks to all of you for responding...it seems that the consensus is that one should take a cc like amex, a debit card like a visa and a prepaid card either visa or master and some little cash.

jimmmbobb,
I don't think anybody likes the fees and rates charged by prepaid cards.