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Hugo

In order to maintain some grasp on my money a complete day was wasted hunting around a city in France that would change travellers cheques, as i don't use credit cards at all every place i visited with my american express travellers cheques in euros would not change them, i would be interested in peoples comments about this and also to find out the cherapest way for me to travel with my foreign currency, i dont want to be going around with loads of cash and travellers cheques seemed to be the answer for me but i don't want a repeat of last years fiasco!

stella2

as you don't use a credit card, take your bank cash card - most machines take them, the machines are everywhere and will come up with english instructions. A tip - ask for an odd quantity of cash. In switzerland last year I went to a cash machine & asked for 100sfr - it gave me one 100 franc note!

peejay · Campsite DB Admin

Hi there hugo,

Bognormike has given good advice, some further points, use your debit card to pay for fuel and supermaket purchases, there is no handling charge for this and it is converted at the exchange rate of the day, usually better than you'll get from uk travel agents, also if you need cash, try to only withdraw fairly large amounts and not several small amounts as you will be charged a handling fee (around 1 - 2%) for each withdrawal. You can also pay for tolls with debit cards, handier than hunting for loose change at the tollbooth.

pete

twooks

Hi Hugo, got to agree wholeheartedly with previous comments.
I haven't used travellers cheques for years, who needs to spend hours queueing in banks and paying admin charges at every turn.
Use your debit card at a 'hole in the wall' ATM. David has even provided a link in a post somewhere giving position of ATMs. There have been several posts on the best way to get money abroad -
and pray for the day we get some sense and join up, then you won't have to carry different currencies around.
Vive Euro and all that Wink

peedee

I also agree with the above but would make a couple of comments.

The Nationwide Felx account offers the best rates for the use of a debit card there are no handling charges.

Take some Sterling travellers cheques as an emergency reserve, you can always cash them because banks make so much money on them! I try to bring mine back because you can return them at no cost.

peedee