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Accessing dollars in the states

  • 26-06-2008 1:29pm
    #1
    ollyk1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,533 ✭✭✭


    I'm going to the States for 8 weeks and need access to cash over the period. I'd prefer not to carry a lot of cash with me.

    What is the cheapest way of accessing my monies on a regular basis?

    My Halifax debit card will cost 1.75% transaction charge plus 2.75% (I think) exchange rate charge).

    MY BOI Visa will charge 1.5% transaction charge plus 2.75% exchange rate charge.

    I'll probably need something like €15,000 over the trip. Are traveler's checks worth it? Any other options I should explore?


Comments

  • #2
    Larianne
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,954 ✭✭✭✭Larianne


    travellers cheques are accepted widely in the States.

    Also, you could put money onto your credit card and withdraw money that way (once your account is in credit, otherwise you'll be charged cash advance fee). That's what I did while living in the states.


  • #3
    seamus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    I used my standard bank card which is enabled for cirrus when I was over there. I wasn't over there for long though and had taken $500 cash with me.

    The fee for foreign withdrawals is 3.5%, which isn't exactly brilliant. As Larianne says, putting cash on your credit card and withdrawing from that may be the best idea. Outside of that, maybe try limit your cash usage - pay for stuff with your credit card, tip in cash, then use online banking to clear your card.


  • #4
    rhapsody
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 449 ✭✭rhapsody


    Larianne wrote: »
    travellers cheques are accepted widely in the States.

    Also, you could put money onto your credit card and withdraw money that way (once your account is in credit, otherwise you'll be charged cash advance fee). That's what I did while living in the states.

    Does this mean that one can pay with travellers cheques in a restaurant/ hostel etc? and they'll give change in cash. Is there commission charged? Passport needed? In Oz, we had to go to American Express office to change them- with i.d.


  • #5
    ollyk1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,533 ✭✭✭ollyk1


    seamus wrote: »
    I used my standard bank card which is enabled for cirrus when I was over there. I wasn't over there for long though and had taken $500 cash with me.

    The fee for foreign withdrawals is 3.5%, which isn't exactly brilliant. As Larianne says, putting cash on your credit card and withdrawing from that may be the best idea. Outside of that, maybe try limit your cash usage - pay for stuff with your credit card, tip in cash, then use online banking to clear your card.

    That's still ~$500 in fees! :eek::mad:

    I'm bringing €2k in cash but I'd like to minimise how I access the rest of the money I guess. What is the charge on a travellers check anyway?


  • #6
    Sam Vimes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,611 ✭✭✭✭Sam Vimes


    Larianne wrote: »
    travellers cheques are accepted widely in the States.

    Also, you could put money onto your credit card and withdraw money that way (once your account is in credit, otherwise you'll be charged cash advance fee). That's what I did while living in the states.

    you should be careful donig that. generally if your card is stolen, credit card companies won't cover any extra money you had on the card


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  • #7
    Larianne
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,954 ✭✭✭✭Larianne


    Sam Vimes wrote: »
    you should be careful donig that. generally if your card is stolen, credit card companies won't cover any extra money you had on the card

    Maybe check with whatever bank you are with?

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055312698&highlight=breadmonkey

    I used to just put the amount of money I needed to withdraw and then take it out.


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