Spending money in US

[Booldawg]

Being from the UK and spending 2 weeks in US next year, what is the most secure and convenient way of handling spending money? Obviously always good to take a bit of cash in US dollars for when I arrive, but how do paper travellers cheques compare against making ATM withdrawals using my banks cash card (Visa debit card) ?

[CushtyFred]

You wanna get down the Halifax moosh. Your prob with them as there like the only bank in Bordon my moosh. They can give you expert advise on spending money in the states. Then you can also get advise on the best way to stripe up a yank from the young scallies sitting on the bench outside scummers!!

[spudqueen]

Depends on where you are going. If you're going to Florida then travellers cheques are treated virtually as cash. You just need some form of id (photo driving licence is fine) and you will find that most places take them. The good thing about this is that if you spend say $60 and give them a $100 travellers cheque they will give you $40 cash in change. Other parts of the US may not be as familiar with travellers cheques, though there is no problem cashing them at a bank as long as you have your passport on you. The advantage of using travellers cheques is that if they are lost or stolen you can get them replaced very quickly, not so if you lose your ATM card. I would go with some cash, some travellers cheques, a credit card and your debit card, covers all eventualities!

[JonnoGenie]

Meanwhile back on planet earth.
Use your ATM card, it will work everywhere. Nationwide (apparently) charge no fees for overseas withdrawals, but in any case an ATM card will be cheaper than travellers cheques (do they still make these things!?).
It is probably wise to have say �50-100 of US$ on you for arrival, to get a taxi/bus, as even at JFK they only have 2 ATM machines, and one is usually out of order.
But changing money to US$ cash in the UK is uniformly a rip-off, compared to the rate you'll get on an ATM card...

[CushtyFred]

JonnoGenie BOOLDAWG is from Bordon he has never heard of nationwide in his life before now! Don't confuse him!

[Booldawg]

JonnoGenie is the guru of all things American. Back off FRED else I'll come down to minnies and give you a good shoeing. Thanks to all serious contributors on this thread x