Thread: money in Europe

I have a question for all the CLF worldly travellers. Going on a 28 Med. cruise in April, then staying in Naples for 4 days. I was planning on using Euro travellers checks. I called the local AAA office and they said they do not issue Euro traveller checks any longer since they had so much negative feedback regarding cashing the checks. They still convert $$ to Euro. With the $$ going down daily and the fees credit cards charge, I hesitate having to use my cc, but also do not want to use Euro dollars as a sole option. What do the CLF experts recommend?

o.k. i'll have a go at this one.personally i never take euro travellers checks.however i use a.t.m.'s all the time. every where in europe has got them and i've never had any trouble using them.they always have an english language option. euro travellers cheques are cashable in banks and cambio/exchanges.you can't cash them in shops like you can do with amex in the states. you must take your passport when cashing them, just to be on the safe side

kind regards
davy

Being close to Euroland we normally take some Euros and English as you often can get better xchange rates! but i think Smittys idea of ATMs is a very good one providing your bank do not charge you High rates for withdrawing cash while in Europe.

Originally Posted by sidari

Being close to Euroland we normally take some Euros and English as you often can get better xchange rates! but i think Smittys idea of ATMs is a very good one providing your bank do not charge you High rates for withdrawing cash while in Europe.

• i do about 15 trips a year into euroland my bank charge for using a.t.m. in europe is a big fat 0

Smitty...do you have once of those Halifax accounts that do not charge?

I'm an American, living in the UK, and have travelled a bit in Euroland. Most of us here go into hysterical giggles when we go to Europe proper-trying to decide if we should convert Pounds Sterling or USD! I can't think of any of us that have used Euro travellers checks. Most of us take some Euros in ready cash, then use ATM's. Even if there are fees, it is less hassle than trying to cash checks. Make sure that your bank knows you will be in Europe though! Sometimes they will stop the card if they see activity other than where you live. (A couple of us found out about that the hard way!)

Originally Posted by sidari

Smitty...do you have once of those Halifax accounts that do not charge?

no mines with the nationwide they don't charge for a.t.m. withdrawals anywhere in the world.

There are some credit cards with no foreign exchange/transaction fees.

just to add take some euro cash with you, there's only us in the u.k. who use a different currency