gail

You can avoid ATM fees by getting cash back when you use a debit card to buy something.

justme22

i was in hawaii for 2 weeks, i brought 400 in cash, it was enough and had i not had a mishap at the end of the trip, i would have come home with about 150 dollars, but i had to cancel my credit card do to possible theft not related to any of the merchants on the islands!!!,

like you suggested, the money is for snacks, entry fees (but they do take credit cards at the np for the larger amounts) etc

i also visited farmers markets and used cash there.

as gail said, go to the supermarket and get cash back if you need more. although the markets may not have the same name of the ones by you they may be part of the family of market that your supermarket discount card is used for.

only a few places don't take credit cards so you should really do fine with minimal cash.

mauigirl50

I usually start out with about $200 in small bills, 1 credit card & my atm (check) card. I've found the atm fees to be kind of high in Hawaii, so when I need extra cash, I just go to Bank of Hawaii & ask to use my atm card to make a cash withdrawal - BOH has never charged me a fee.

a2dal

doesn't anyone use travelers' checks anymore?

I like to have a supply of several hundred dollars in cash (up to 500 for a longer vacation) - if I am uncomfortable with the amount of cash I would get travelers' checks, but haven't in a while. I usually come home with a decent percentage of what I took.

I charge everything I can to a rewards-based credit card everyday and vacation is no exception - even the little stuff, if there is no penalty or minimum to use a card. I pay the balance every month. This gets my family of 4 to the Caribbean with frequent flyer tickets every so often We will be going to Spain soon, though, and the credit card companies' conversion charges have me livid, so all we more cash-based than usual.

I actually have more restraint when using a cc - cash just seems to float out of my pocket somehow.

suze

<doesn't anyone use travelers' checks anymore?>

well someone must(!) but not too many people do since ATM's are so common, convenient, and give good value. TC's can be a bit difficult to spend directly these days (like in shops or restaurants) so you may have to go to find a bank to cash them or your hotel front desk might be willing.

jacketwatch

We use our CC for just about everything now and the miles do add up! Why pay cash and get no benefit?