Carry USD or Euros?
May 23, 2016, 12:00 pm
#16
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May 23, 2016, 1:30 pm
#17
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ok, so it kindda worked itself out.
I have a alumni account with USC credit union (yeah, trojan here). They have $0 fee for out of service atm usage within the US. I called them hoping the debit card would out side of US too and yeah, it does. The credit union doesn't charge any fee but the foreign bank charges 1% of the transaction amount. Not too bad in the grand scheme of things, isn't it?
I have a alumni account with USC credit union (yeah, trojan here). They have $0 fee for out of service atm usage within the US. I called them hoping the debit card would out side of US too and yeah, it does. The credit union doesn't charge any fee but the foreign bank charges 1% of the transaction amount. Not too bad in the grand scheme of things, isn't it?
If your ATM card is totally fee free, then just get relatively small amounts of cash at each stop (well, you can get all the Euros you need at the first Euro stop on your trip), guesstimating how much you'll spend in each city.
But I second the posters who suggested a fee free credit card for your trip, since you'll earn miles on all purchases and in general it's safer in terms of loss or fraud. Most of the Chase travel rewards cards are foreign exchange fee free (so Sapphire, BA, United, Hyatt, Marriott, etc.) and so is the Citi HHonors Card (and at least some of the AA cards) and the SPG Amex (and maybe the Delta Amex, too). So lots of choices. I travel frequently in EE and can tell you that, at least in the cities listed, credit cards should be fine for restaurants, hotels, museums, public transport passes and taxis, groceries and more. Have fun.
May 23, 2016, 2:14 pm
#19
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Yes, since I leave in 2 days, I do not have much option and 1% is much better than what BoFA and Chase would charge.
Yes, I'll be using my sapphire card wherever possible. From my prior with using CSP (In Asia, western Europe and Mexico), chase had better exchange rate than most currency exchange counters in airport and elsewhere.
But I second the posters who suggested a fee free credit card for your trip, since you'll earn miles on all purchases and in general it's safer in terms of loss or fraud. Most of the Chase travel rewards cards are foreign exchange fee free (so Sapphire, BA, United, Hyatt, Marriott, etc.) and so is the Citi HHonors Card (and at least some of the AA cards) and the SPG Amex (and maybe the Delta Amex, too). So lots of choices. I travel frequently in EE and can tell you that, at least in the cities listed, credit cards should be fine for restaurants, hotels, museums, public transport passes and taxis, groceries and more. Have fun.
May 24, 2016, 12:36 am
#22
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I am leaving to Eastern?/Central Europe in 3 days. I am visiting Moscow (Long layover), Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Ljublana and Croatia.
Other than Austria, all the other countries have their own currencies. Would it wise to convert and carry Euros and exchange it to local currency? Or just carry USD and convert it?
I'd prefer using as little ATM as possible since I'd incur transaction charges doing that.
Other than Austria, all the other countries have their own currencies. Would it wise to convert and carry Euros and exchange it to local currency? Or just carry USD and convert it?
I'd prefer using as little ATM as possible since I'd incur transaction charges doing that.
May 24, 2016, 11:04 pm
#23
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I am leaving to Eastern?/Central Europe in 3 days. I am visiting Moscow (Long layover), Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Ljublana and Croatia.
Other than Austria, all the other countries have their own currencies. Would it wise to convert and carry Euros and exchange it to local currency? Or just carry USD and convert it?
I'd prefer using as little ATM as possible since I'd incur transaction charges doing that.
Other than Austria, all the other countries have their own currencies. Would it wise to convert and carry Euros and exchange it to local currency? Or just carry USD and convert it?
I'd prefer using as little ATM as possible since I'd incur transaction charges doing that.
May 28, 2016, 12:50 pm
#24
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I am in Prague and FWIW the credit union debit card that I hardly ever use charges no international transaction. And the exchange rate is atleast a czk more than what most exchange places are trading at.
May 28, 2016, 1:21 pm
#25
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There are a couple by main train station and a few a block or two from main square - the difference between what they sell and buy is very small.
Most exchange place have at least a percentage point or two difference between buy and sell though.
May 29, 2016, 9:54 pm
#26
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It's not the foreign bank but Visa that charges 1% on ATM withdrawals. But you'll get the interbank rate which is still a MUCH better rate than at most exchange places including banks.
If your ATM card is totally fee free, then just get relatively small amounts of cash at each stop (well, you can get all the Euros you need at the first Euro stop on your trip), guesstimating how much you'll spend in each city.
But I second the posters who suggested a fee free credit card for your trip, since you'll earn miles on all purchases and in general it's safer in terms of loss or fraud. Most of the Chase travel rewards cards are foreign exchange fee free (so Sapphire, BA, United, Hyatt, Marriott, etc.) and so is the Citi HHonors Card (and at least some of the AA cards) and the SPG Amex (and maybe the Delta Amex, too). So lots of choices. I travel frequently in EE and can tell you that, at least in the cities listed, credit cards should be fine for restaurants, hotels, museums, public transport passes and taxis, groceries and more. Have fun.
If your ATM card is totally fee free, then just get relatively small amounts of cash at each stop (well, you can get all the Euros you need at the first Euro stop on your trip), guesstimating how much you'll spend in each city.
But I second the posters who suggested a fee free credit card for your trip, since you'll earn miles on all purchases and in general it's safer in terms of loss or fraud. Most of the Chase travel rewards cards are foreign exchange fee free (so Sapphire, BA, United, Hyatt, Marriott, etc.) and so is the Citi HHonors Card (and at least some of the AA cards) and the SPG Amex (and maybe the Delta Amex, too). So lots of choices. I travel frequently in EE and can tell you that, at least in the cities listed, credit cards should be fine for restaurants, hotels, museums, public transport passes and taxis, groceries and more. Have fun.
I'll have to review my Charles Schwab statements to see whether they eat the 1% Visa fee or not but I've been quite happy with them for the small FX currency withdrawals I make from time to time when places don't accept cards.
Jun 1, 2016, 10:04 am
#27
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All the Visas you mentioned above take the same 1% cut even if they are "no-fee" (Chase passes it on from Visa, they don't eat it). It's one reason I've switched my international spend from my CSP to my Citi MCs (Premier and Prestige) which almost always have better rates than the no-fee Visas.
I'll have to review my Charles Schwab statements to see whether they eat the 1% Visa fee or not but I've been quite happy with them for the small FX currency withdrawals I make from time to time when places don't accept cards.
I'll have to review my Charles Schwab statements to see whether they eat the 1% Visa fee or not but I've been quite happy with them for the small FX currency withdrawals I make from time to time when places don't accept cards.