Best option for payment in USA

[JaffaB]

I am off for a holiday in the USA in September, and was wondering what
is the best methods of payments out there. All hotels, major
excursions (shows, trips etc) and car hire is payed for, so we are
talking meals, parking, shopping, odds and sods.

I have various credit cards including MBNA, and Amex, and my bank is
the Abbey with a multi-functional debit card. My partner has a Halifax
account with a Visa debit. However, I believe that all of these
charge really awful exchange rates, some charge amounts for using them
abroad, so want the best option. Is it travellers cheques, cash or
just use the plastic?

I don't partially want to go to the effort of opening new bank
accounts to save a few pounds.

Many thanks in advance

Jaffa

[d***@my-deja.com]

Post by JaffaB
I am off for a holiday in the USA in September, and was wondering what
is the best methods of payments out there. All hotels, major
excursions (shows, trips etc) and car hire is payed for, so we are
talking meals, parking, shopping, odds and sods.
I have various credit cards including MBNA, and Amex, and my bank is
the Abbey with a multi-functional debit card. My partner has a Halifax
account with a Visa debit. However, I believe that all of these
charge really awful exchange rates, some charge amounts for using them
abroad, so want the best option. Is it travellers cheques, cash or
just use the plastic?
I don't partially want to go to the effort of opening new bank
accounts to save a few pounds.
Many thanks in advance
Jaffa

A debit card in an ATM for cash and a credit card for purchases - all
yours charge pretty much the same, which is 2.75% for purchases and
another 1.5% on top of this for cash. If any of yours are Nationwide
(you don't give a full list) then these charges are waived.

In some US states some banks will also levy a charge for use of their
cash machine. In these the balance may just tip in favour of TCs.

Travellers Cheques and cash will cost you even worse exchange rates -
typically 5% or 5.5% on the interbank rate even if they are
'commission-free'

[d***@my-deja.com]

Post by d***@my-deja.com

Post by JaffaB
I am off for a holiday in the USA in September, and was wondering what
is the best methods of payments out there. All hotels, major
excursions (shows, trips etc) and car hire is payed for, so we are
talking meals, parking, shopping, odds and sods.
I have various credit cards including MBNA, and Amex, and my bank is
the Abbey with a multi-functional debit card. My partner has a Halifax
account with a Visa debit. However, I believe that all of these
charge really awful exchange rates, some charge amounts for using them
abroad, so want the best option. Is it travellers cheques, cash or
just use the plastic?
I don't partially want to go to the effort of opening new bank
accounts to save a few pounds.
Many thanks in advance
Jaffa

A debit card in an ATM for cash and a credit card for purchases - all
yours charge pretty much the same, which is 2.75% for purchases and
another 1.5% on top of this for cash. If any of yours are Nationwide
(you don't give a full list) then these charges are waived.
In some US states some banks will also levy a charge for use of their
cash machine. In these the balance may just tip in favour of TCs.
Travellers Cheques and cash will cost you even worse exchange rates -
typically 5% or 5.5% on the interbank rate even if they are
'commission-free'

Found a list of the USA states where charges MAY apply:

Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi,
Nevada, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.

As here, machines in petrol stations and convenience stores may also
charge