Heading to the States, best place to buy Dollars?

oddone

?Hi,

I'm heading to the states shortly for the first time,
where is the best place to get dollars?
Bank, bureau de change or would i be able to withdraw funds using my bank card over there, i have a Visa card also, I know i could withdraw money that way too.
I would appreciate any advice
cheers

Ruu_Old

You will be charged per transaction if you withdraw with your ATM card, get it at your local bank.

BuffyBot

You can withdraw over there with most ATM cards (not all) but you will get charged. Check with your card issuer.

jonny68

I don't think i was charged that much when i was in Boston a few months ago i must check up some old statements and see.

quickstitch.ie

I think if you put the cash on to your credit card and it's in credit you don't pay any fees... could be wrong tho... then again if your credit card takes a walk without you...

rossie1977

credit cards are charged 2.50 per transaction in the USA.

Unless your ATM card has the CIRRUS symbol somewhere on it then; it won't work in the USA.

In my opinion bringing large amounts of cash to the states is a huge mistake and you are a sitting duck waiting to be be mugged in the larger cities. If you have a credit card; everything (and I mean everything, including things like McDonalds) can be paid by CC

BuffyBot

rossie1977 wrote:

credit cards are charged 2.50 per transaction in the USA.

It varies, especially when in credit. It depends on the card issuer

Unless your ATM card has the CIRRUS symbol somewhere on it then; it won't work in the USA.

Not nessecarily correct. ATM cards can have either the CIRRUS logo, or the PLUS logo on them. Either will work in pretty much every ATM in the USA. Even still, some older cards have neither printed symbol on them, but the functionality is still available to cardholders - anyone travelling should check with their issuing bank.

oddone

Thanks folks.

Naked Lepper

power city

(theyre open till 9)

storka

Does anyone know if a laser card will work in the US? It has maestro on it.

teckno

Yep AIB Laser Cards with Maestro work in USA

jdivision

Rubbish exchange rate from credit cards. Gave up on it because of it. Travellers cheques?

BuffyBot

storka wrote:

Does anyone know if a laser card will work in the US? It has maestro on it.

They'll work in ATM's. Probably will have issues if you try paying for stuff with the card though

SoBe

BuffyBot wrote:

They'll work in ATM's. Probably will have issues if you try paying for stuff with the card though

it can be used in stores too,just like a debit card there,never had a problem using mine in places like target meijers wallmart etc,but the charges are bad on laser cards.stick to using a credit card instead would be my advice

quickstitch.ie

I think Travellers cheques are being done away with gradually...

http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1013/aib.html

keefg

quickstitch.ie wrote:

I think Travellers cheques are being done away with gradually...

http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1013/aib.html

Interesting, I hadn't heard this but not really suprising, trav chq's are a pain in the butt. I haven't used them since my first trip to US years ago (maybe a bit of paranoia of mugging).

Everyone I know just brings a few hundred dollars (or whatever) for small purchases and drinking and use their cards for dining out, shopping etc.

I was recently told that I OAP's are not charged commision on Foriegn exchange ..... so if you know any ask them to change your holiday dosh on their next trip to the post office

Fr0g

I am travelling to the USA in october for two weeks. I want to bring 5000 euros with me. Is preloading credit cards the best method?

I'm thinking about 2,000 on each of two cc accounts and US$1,000 in cash.

Is there a better way?

keefg

Fr0g wrote:

I am travelling to the USA in october for two weeks. I want to bring 5000 euros with me. Is preloading credit cards the best method?

I'm thinking about 2,000 on each of two cc accounts and US$1,000 in cash.

Is there a better way?

5 grand for 2 weeks - Whoo Hoo!! Sounds like a cracking holiday:D

Depends what your plans are Frog, if you're gonna go mad clothes shopping then I would defo say to use your cards. Easier to keep safe than a big wad of cash & like I said Trav chqs are a pain.

Just remember to keep a record of your credit card numbers and a phone number to call to cancel them if you are unlucky enough to lose them or get robbed. Obviously keep the details seperate from the cards themselves (hotel safe maybe?)

Fr0g

keefg wrote:

5 grand for 2 weeks - Whoo Hoo!! Sounds like a cracking holiday:D

Yeah I think its a bit excessive myself, but her indoors wants to splash out:rolleyes:

keefg wrote:

Depends what your plans are Frog, if you're gonna go mad clothes shopping then I would defo say to use your cards. Easier to keep safe than a big wad of cash & like I said Trav chqs are a pain.

We will definitely be buying some clothes and stuff (be mad not to with the xrate, its an absolute steal!). We will probably go down the cc route, i was just wondering about commission and which method gives the best xrate. Bringing all cash is obviously not an option.

keefg wrote:

Just remember to keep a record of your credit card numbers and a phone number to call to cancel them if you are unlucky enough to lose them or get robbed. Obviously keep the details seperate from the cards themselves (hotel safe maybe?)

Good point.

old boy

lasty time i went o.s. i was only charged for all the trans. at the end of the month, i.e. 1 charge for all the exchange rates

Poncherello

If you have a friend or relation who works in AIB or BOI their staff get preferental rates...

TheKat

we were never once asked for our pin numbers when using cc in the US, they always just asked for photo ID.... hold onto those cards safely!!