Holiday money

[nickymitch]

I'm going to Disneyland in just over a week and don't know what is the safest and cheapest way of spending my cash. I don't want to take it all in dollors but have heard that travellers cheques are hard to exchange, i heard Nationwides current account is the best option as they don't charge but i didn't open an account in time. Any ideas please....................

[flipflop104]

Travellers Cheques are like cash in Orlando and most tourist places in the US (not "off-the-beaten-track" places though).

As long as you have your passport/some form of ID most places will accept them like cash, ie. you buy something for $5 and pay with a $20 traveller cheque, you will get $15 cash in return.

[colandsuey]

Travellers cheques in � sterling are NOT accepted widely anywhere in the USA - you need US dollar travellers cheques. You can buy them at any bank here. Also try M&S currency department - they may offer a good deal.

[xanderma]

If you mean you're off to Walt Disney World in Orlando, can I reassure that US Dollar travellers cheques are accepted as cash almost everywhere. We never had to show ID, either.

The only places which didn't guarantee to take them were the carts selling water, ice cream etc - some did, some didn't. Also, you'll need a bit of cash for the toll roads when you first arrive.

We just took a bit of cash to see us through the first day, then stuck with travellers cheques - you'll be given change in dollars, so you'll soon have cash in your wallet as well!

Have a great time there!

[dzug]

Using a credit card for spending (as long as you pay it off in full) and a debit card in an ATM for cash (as long as you don't take out small amounts all the time) will work out cheaper than buying $US travellers cheques.

Even if you don't have a Nationwide account (no fees), the charges for using the cards will be less than the charge (buried in the exchange rate) for buying TCs in the UK.

The TCs have the advantage that they can be replaced if lost/stolen, so are arguably 'safer'.

[spudqueen]

American Express Travellers cheques in US Dollars are accepted virtually EVERYWHERE in Florida, as flipflop says you can use them to get cash as they give change, I would pay for a meal which cost say $45 with a $100 travellers cheque and would get $55 change. They are the safest way to take money as if they are lost or stolen you can get replacements virtually straight away. You will need some cash to start with and there's no harm in taking a credit card or two. If you really want to you to you can take cash out of the ATMs with your debit card.

[nickymitch]

Thanks very much guys, i heard travellers cheques were a nightmare to get changed - obviously that was wrong!!! I'm definetly going to get them now and i'll take a credit card just in case.

[alvin100]

I agree with the previous comments, US dollar travellers cheques are accepted like cash, We have been to Orlando seven times and I cant remember ever having a problem using one. It is a good idea to have a bit of cash for when you first arrive, simply for paying tolls or buying snacks. We usually have a couple of hundred dollars in cash, you can purchase dollar currency and dollar travellers cheques over the counter from any travel agent on the high street, so have a wander round and see who is offering the best rate, The exchange rate is VERY good at the moment so your cash will go along way over there.