Hi David,thanks for that.Does the Global traveler give you a rubbish rate of exchange.? See you soon .

I find that the exchange rate with CAXTONfx is very good. It is also clearly displayed on their web site.

As long as you do not use the card in the UK or go into a bank and draw cash over the counter there are few charges.

Please note that in the USA you will usually be charged to use an ATM. This is a charge applied by the American bank and will apply to ALL cards in addition to the fee from the card provider (free with CAXTONfx). The machine will warn you of the charge. I think this charge is typically about $2.

David

When I went to the Post Office recently to purchase euros I discovered that they are now doing currency cards for several currencies, including US and Canadian dollars. I have used one of their cards for euros in the past and found it very useful. You load money on to the card before you leave the UK and then use it in ATMs when abroad and you don't get charged bank charges (unless the ATM takes a fee). You can also use it like a credit/debit card but without the risk of your bank account being plundered because it is a stand-alone card.

At the end of the holiday, if you aren't going to be using that particular currency again, you can return to the Post Office and take back the remaining sterling equivalent (minus a charge). If the card is a euro one, you just hold onto it until your next holiday. I think it lasts for two years.

Ann

Thanks everyone,see everyone soon .

Hi Dee

As you probably no I am on the same trip. Have you thought about taking travellers cheques instead of taking a load of cash because I am. I wouldnt use your credit card unless you really need to. In America when you pay by credit/debt card they don't use chip and pin like what we do you need to sign. When I went Vegas last year I got home I found out that a lot of money was taken which I didn't authorise. To keep the story short I found out the a shop keeper in Vegas used my credit card number purchased goods over the Internet. So basically it's up to you what you but paying cash is the safest way to purchase things. You can also cash travellers cheques at the hotels we staying at or at a bank. Also if you cash machines your bank charges you the exchange rate which can be quite high.

I hope this helps

Andrew

Thanks,I think I'm going to take a mixture of everything.Do you know if you get a better rate of exchange for stirling in America? See you soon.

I suggest you look at the currency cards from CAXTONfx. I think you will find that they have lower charges than most if not all of the other cards.

You can get them in £s (Global Traveller), dollars or euros. The difference is that with the Global Traveller the balance is held in £ and converted for each transaction, for the $ or Euro cards the conversion is done when you load the card. I prefer the Global traveller.

The ATMs that I saw in the USA last year do not work in quite the same way as the UK. You put your card in and immediately pull it out again. You then enter your PIN etc.

Hi David,thanks for that.Does the Global traveler give you a rubbish rate of exchange.? See you soon .

You can get them in £s (Global Traveller), dollars or euros. The difference is that with the Global Traveller the balance is held in £ and converted for each transaction, for the $ or Euro cards the conversion is done when you load the card. I prefer the Global traveller.

The ATMs that I saw in the USA last year do not work in quite the same way as the UK. You put your card in and immediately pull it out again. You then enter your PIN etc.

At the end of the holiday, if you aren't going to be using that particular currency again, you can return to the Post Office and take back the remaining sterling equivalent (minus a charge). If the card is a euro one, you just hold onto it until your next holiday. I think it lasts for two years.

Ann

Must admit when going to the States I tend to take enough cash, try to work out my daily spend before go (meals, entertainment, gifts, excursions, etc), usually take too much but as i go to the Staes at least once per year just use it next time.. I also take my credit card but only use in an emergency and only in good restaurants or the hotel.

In fact if you are eating/drinking at the hotel you can put the cost to your room then pay when you leave using your card.

Mick

Usually you are required to pay for excursions in cash however some excursions in the USA, for example, the San Francisco heli tour and Grand Canyon flights can be paid by Credit Card directly.

Groups do not usually eat out together unless its an optional or included meal. Where it is an optional meal, customers will pay the Tour Manager and then the Tour Manager will pay for the meal. If customers choose to eat out together at other times, it will be up to them how they pay.

I hope this helps,

Kindest,

Ben

When we eat out,do we all bill separately or does the tour manager suggests places to go{like in other trips i've done}then collects a set amount of money ? Thanks