Using credit , debit cards in the US

board_walker

Just looking for some advice. We are heading to the Us for a two week holiday shortly and am wondering if we should bring much cash. Does anyone know what the fees are for using credit or debit card.

jennyjoy

It all depends on your bank but using credit/debit cards at stores, restaurants, etc. rarely have fees. (can't really think of anywhere that has a card fee besides atm's) If you have a bank that is world known or a partner bank of a us bank you should be fine taking cash out of that bank. If you'd rather just put everything on your card, you would be ok doing that as well. Small cafe's or convenient stores may have a minimum amount for using a card (for example $10). I'd bring some cash just to have it (side note: tipping waiters/waitresses can be done with cash or on your card)

tricky D

A quick heads up if you are driving. When I was there in CA my cards (either type) wouldn't work as they required a ZIP code instead of a pin at the pumps. So you have to go into the cashier and lodge cash at the counter over what you are going to pump into the tank and then pick up the change after.

It's also worth giving your bank a heads up in case they think the transactions are dodgy and stop your card

ProudDUB

Contact your bank. Only they can tell you exactly what the fees are. They may or not have a transaction fee for using your card overseas. Again, only they can tell you what they are. If you withdraw cash from an ATM machine over there, the fees can be pretty steep. They are lower if you go to banks ATM, as opposed to independent ATM's in airports, convenience stores, petrol stations etc etc. Most banks here, have a daily limit on how much cash you can withdraw with your debit card when you are traveling outside the eurozone. It varies from bank to bank, so your best bet is to contact then directly. If making large purchases, use your credit card. The credit card companies are charged a better rate of currency exchange and they are obliged to pass that saving onto you.

jjbrien

Be careful with debit cards over there with pre authorizations. We got hit with a $350 pre authorization for our hotel which took our bank almost a month to clear it off afterwards even though we had prepaid the hotel. We also got hit with pre authorization's paying for petroil at gas stations and car rentals taking an authorization 3 times. Meaning we had over $1000 held by the bank which no company were ever going to collect against ruined our holiday.

Gatica

I still find that credit card is best way to pay, there weren't any fees, only what you lose on currency exchange. It's also advisable to get charged in local currency to your card, if they ask if you wish to be charged in the local currency or yours/Euros. If you let them charge you in Euros for a foreign currency, usually the vendor's exchange rate is worse than the banks and they make a little bit of money off you. The only way it would be favourable for you to let them charge you in local currency, is if it turned out that the local currency suddenly rose a lot against the Euro in the 2 days it takes the transaction to go through.
We've also in the past preloaded a second credit card with cash for withdrawing abroad as there were less fees than withdrawing from an ATM card.
If you withdraw cash from your ATM card, it's also advisable to do it at a bank, although it takes a little longer to fill out the paperwork than using an ATM, they don't charge you that stupid $3 or whatever per transaction on your card that the ATM machines charge.

haro124

If it asks for your zip code type 99999 in. Worked for me in New York