Best way to take money to US (Travellers Cheque? Cash? Use cards?)

TouchingVirus

The family is off to Orlando and I'd say we'll be spending quite a bit of cash while over there.

We're anxious about taking decent amounts of money with us (Could easily be talking 10,000 USD between us) - so what's the best (safest and cheapest) way to do it?

I read that for ATM withdrawals AIB charge up to 3% currency conversion fees and lump on a 1% commission on top of that (max commission is €6.35). That doesn't look all that appealing (taking out 1000 euro worth of dollars over there means I could pay 36.35 fees...pfft).

There is a safe in the hotel but travellers' cheques seem to be gone with the wind...

Any advice?

mikedragon32

Traveller's cheques could cost a lot more than using an ATM, particularly when you factor in that the bank selling them charges a commission as does the bank/hotel which cashes it, so you're getting hit twice. At least with the ATM card you have greater control over how much you take out, and used in conjunction with a credit card for larger purchases, it offers greater flexibility.

robinph

I just take a bit of cash just to have in the pocket for incidentals and then bung the rest on the card whenever possible.

shrapnel222

from what i heard, a good way of doing it is to load your credit card with credit, then you'll get a very good exchange rate when withdrawing, and if you use bank ATMs (as opposed to hotel ATMs) you should be charged the minimum. Never tried it personally though

Dodge

Not relevent to Orlando but if anyone is going to las Vegas I suggest bringing euro cash and changing it in the casinos there. Commission free and you're getting the equivalent of the buy rate here.

Unlike in Ireland there's absolutely no stigma attached to using credit cards for even the smallest purchases, so if you can preload money onto one of them I'd do that too (there's no charges associated with purchases, as opposed to the pretty hefty charges on withdrawals)

Oh and a lot of US ATM machines have their own charges. anything from a dollar to five dollars (in said casinos...)

dereko1969

a point to be wary of in relation to pre-loading your credit card is that if it is stolen the bank may not refund you anything while you have credit on the card, you should check this out with your own bank as some of them have different policies. i would just use your normal credit card and bring a few hundred in cash (small notes) for tips etc, as stated above there's no problem using your card for even the smallest purchase.

lynchie

dereko1969 wrote: »

a point to be wary of in relation to pre-loading your credit card is that if it is stolen the bank may not refund you anything while you have credit on the card, you should check this out with your own bank as some of them have different policies. i would just use your normal credit card and bring a few hundred in cash (small notes) for tips etc, as stated above there's no problem using your card for even the smallest purchase.

As above, you can use your card virtually everywhere for even the smallest amounts. Best is to use your card as normal.. dont overload it. I always leave funds in my current account, then when I've spent a fair amount on my CC, Ill pay it off using banking online while Im away to get my limit back down. I usually carry a few hundred in cash with me two just in case.

TouchingVirus

Thanks for all the advice so far boardsies, it's much appreciated

finbarrk

lynchie wrote: »

As above, you can use your card virtually everywhere for even the smallest amounts. Best is to use your card as normal.. dont overload it. I always leave funds in my current account, then when I've spent a fair amount on my CC, Ill pay it off using banking online while Im away to get my limit back down. I usually carry a few hundred in cash with me two just in case.

I think thats the best way to do it.