Using Visa Travel Money Card or a regular Visa Card from a bank
 

I will be traveling to Italy in August. I
have never traveled abroad. I thought the Visa Travel Money card from AAA was a good
idea, until I looked a the fees involved.
Has anyone used a card like this, in traveling abroad. I am beginning to think
it may be smarter decision to take a regular
Visa debit card from my bank, instead of
investing in one of these travel cards. The
bank told me they would reverse the Atm card
charges, but of course not the exchange charges. If anyone has ideas on traveling to
Italy and information on these cards, please
respond to me. Thank you.
Alpicella

Hi alp,

>The bank told me they would reverse the Atm card charges, ...<

If this means that they will not charge you for ATM withdrawls, go for it.

Also bring a regular charge card.

There is no sense having your hotel bill debited from your bank account when you can pay for it after you get home.

((I))

I recall reading that there is a conversion 'fee' associated with those travel cards, too... so a regular debit card at 1% with no ATM s/chgs is better.

You can open a free acct at many banks and keep your 'travel money' separate from your normal bank acct, in case anything happens to your card (lost/stolen).

I read up on that AAA/Visa Travel Card just last week and it STINKS ! ! !

Travelnut's suggestion is what I'd be more inclined to do. I'd have a couple of sources for money (ATM card, Debit card, Credit card) just in case something goes wrong with one of them.

Enjoy Italy.

Here's an idea for a back up to the ATM card or debit card: Pre-pay your credit card. That will allow you to obtain a cash advance from an ATM or inside a bank and avoid the excessive interest that begins to accumulate the minute the money is released to you.
Most credit card companies charge a 3% fee for ATM withdrawals, but that still beats cashing in Traveler's checks or USD by at least several percent. So, you'll pay $6 on a $200 withdrawal. Thats not too bad.
Of course, your primary means of withdrawing cash from the ATM remains your ATM and/or debit card.