for changing U. S. dollars into pounds? I'm wondering if it would be cheaper to change my money when I get to London than changing here at the airport. I won't need any cash until I get into the city, as I'll be picked up at the airport by a tour representative.

Diane, <BR>To answer your question specifically: in changing currency, you will get a more favorable exchange rate at a bank than at a Bureau de change, Thomas Cook's or American Express. While exchange rates do vary among banks, they invariably are more favorable than elsewhere. Why, though, are you exchanging hard currency to begin with? <BR>The most favorable rate you can get is via an ATM card with withdrawals from your personal checking account. With the ATM card, there is no need to be carrying about large sums of currency in either dollars or pounds. Purchases made with credit cards will be more favorable than with pounds converted from dollars.

Well, Wes, I guess I'm just afraid that my check card isn't going to work. I read on another message board that someone had a Visa/check card and it wouldn't work. Guess I'm paranoid. My bank says the card will work at some banks, so I'm hoping I won't have problems. I wasn't planning to take traveler's checks---just some cash to begin with, then try my ATMs, plus use credit cards for big purchases. Thanks for answering.

Diane, <BR>ATM cards should work if their PIN number is four digits in length and the digits are numeric. Most of the problems with ATM cards have come about because PIN numbers exceed four digits. If this is the case with yours, contact your bank for a new, numeric PIN.

Diane, <BR> <BR>Wes is right. <BR>Maybe take two cards in case one doesn't work at a particular atm. Yes, make sure you are using a four digit pin number. <BR>We also contacted our bank and visa/mc companies to get a list of where atm's are. We had no problems when we were in Germany and London. <BR>Kittie

Yes, mine is a four-digit, numerical pin. It's one of the newer ATM cards (VISA check card), and someone on another message board said that she was traveling through Europe last year, trying to use her check card. She could use it to purchase items, but it wouldn't work at an ATM machine. I think mine is okay; at least, the bank said it can be used in Great Britain, but maybe not at all ATMs.

If you ATM check card doesn't work as an ATM card, can't you take it into the bank and get a cash advance, since it doubles as a charge card? <BR>Has anyone tried this?

Diane; <BR>I would suggest that you get a regular ATM, not Visa or Mastercard. Although it may seem more convenient to use making purchases, if the card is lost or stolen, all the thief has to do is forge your signature to make purchases, no PIN required. The PIN is only necessary at the ATM machine, which the thief already knows, so he'll just use it in stores.

Good point, Phil. I've never understood the alure of those debit cards to the consumer. Unless it helps people who can't control their use of credit cards?

If using a Visa check card is like a credit card, then would taking cash out on it start the interest clock ticking from day one instead of a month later (as when you use a credit card for merchandise)? That being the case, I second Brian and others...why would anyone use those cards? At any rate, you should get an ATM card that accesses directly into your checking or savings account and use that. Save the Visa for charging stuff, not cash.

Ann, A visa check card isn't really like a credit card, except that it is accepted anywhere a credit card is accepted. It withdraws the money directly from your checking account so you pay no interest. Of course, you also don't get the benefit of the float you get with a real credit card that you pay off every month. <BR> <BR>Brian, I think you have it exactly right. Debit cards are good for people who carry balances on their credit cards, rather than paying them off every month. It gives the convenience of a credit card without the interest. <BR> <BR>And there have been several articles lately about why these debit cards are a bigger risk than a standard credit card or straight ATM card. If stolen, the crook will start channeling money out of your checking account by making charges against the card. While your liability is limited (as long as you report within 48 hours), still the damage may be done. It takes much longer to get your money back, and you may have other problems in the meantime. With a credit card its usually no big deal, you never pay the money to the CC company. All good reasons to be extra careful with those debit cards, and seriously consider Phil's recommendation. Stick to a straight ATM card and a credit card.

All this is well and good, but I have no choice (except for traveler's checks, which I don't want) if I want to get to my checking account. My bank sent me the check card last year to replace my existing ATM card. I didn't ask for a replacement. I use it only for money (at the supermarket and at my bank). I use a different Visa card for purchases because it buys me frequent flyer miles. I leave in less than a week, so I have no time to get another card. I did call my bank today to check again on this check card. She said that it is used in Europe all the time by US travelers and she knows of no problems. As far as a thief getting to it, he'd have to strip me first to get to my money belt, and I don't think that will happen.

If it turns out that your check card doesn't work in Europe, change banks and get a real ATM card. <BR> <BR>I reread your original question, and all things being equal, you should get a better rate in the country who's currency you are buying. The exchange booths in London are set up to sell Pounds while the exchange booths in the US are set up to sell Dollars. Just be sure to shop it a bit. Have a great trip!

Hi Diane, I just returned from England on a 3 week vacationin June. I spent 2 weeks in London and 1 week driving around the country. The only thing I used the whole time I was there was my banks Visa check card. I had no problems getting money at any ATM and was not assessed any surcharges. I also never had any problems making purchases anywhere I was either. I have to say I did carry 1 regular credit card in case of an emergency but I never needed it. Oh by the way when I took money out of the ATM, it would exchange the money at the million dollar rate so I was able to get the best exchange rate instead of taking dollars to the bank and exchanging for pounds for a small fee. If you have any other question you can e-mail me directly. Hope I have helped. <BR>Have a great time. England is a wonderful place.

The order of most favorable exchange: <BR>1)ATM machines <BR>2)Banks <BR>3)Bureaux de change (shop the rates, though, and watch out for the 'fees') and American Express offices <BR> <BR>Hotels, airports and train stations give notoriously lousy rates. <BR> <BR>I have an ATM/Visa debit card from my bank. It wouldn't work at merchants (it's also a check guarantee card) or in some ATMs. I had the bank send me another one (I told them my card was 'damaged') and now it works everywhere. The magnetic strip goes kaflooey (technical term used in the banking industry) every now and then on debit and credit cards...no rhyme or reason, it just does. <BR> <BR>Traveler's checks are safer than cash, but sometimes there's an extra fee charged to cash them. Change the largest amount you can and still feel safe - like $200 i/o $50 - to cut down the fees (sometimes the fee is per transaction, rather than a percentage of the whole). <BR>If you're carrying $US, then carry $100 bills; changing $20 is not worth the effort. <BR> <BR>I take my ATM card, 2 credit cards (different companies, different banks) and about $300 in $US in a secret place (ok it's in my bra) for emergencies. <BR> <BR>I have never had a problem that lasted very long (one ATM didn't take my card, another one did) nor that left me stranded.