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After the Crimbo shopping my mind is wandering to 2005 and Florida. Yippeeee!!!! With the good exchange rates i am going to buy some dollars in the next few weeks if the rate stays up. Don't want to miss the boat. Are you allowed only to take a certain amount of cash in to the states? And is best to use plastic or cash when you are out and about. Never been to the Staes and i have no idea what is the best thing to do.
We usually take no more than $500 cash between us to the US. Plastic is accepted widely and debit cards can be used at almost all Cash Machines.
Beware that plastic can cost you money! Check with your provider as they sometimes charge up to 2.75% on every item purchased in foreign currency. There's a recent thread about this so have a search.
Travellers' cheques for two (issued by American Express) are good and can be used like cash - either of two of you can sign them so great if you're stuck. Never take GB Pound cheques, always US$ cheques which you can use like cash in restaurants, stores, etc and get change. A mixture of $20 and $50 is good as sometimes the larger cheques can't be changed by smaller stores.
You can take up to $10,000 in 'monetary instruments' (ie cash, travellers' cheques, etc) without having to declare it on entry to the USA.
Personally, I'd advise you (as our do our guests) to take a mixture of cash (no more than $300), travellers' cheques (the remainder of your money) and plastic (for emergencies or 'must haves') - that way you're covered for all eventualities!
I have always found that even if you use a debit card to get cash from an ATM it costs the same in the long run as you get the bank rate instead of the tourist rate which is normally 2.5% more.
But we also have to think of the CONVENIENCE of using cards rather than carrying around lots of cash. Personally, I find using credit cards for shopping and debit cards to withdraw cash only as necessary a very convenient and practical method while travelling anywhere. I prefer that to saving a few dollars just to prove a point.
We usually take a mixture of cash and travellers cheques, all in US$. We also take a credit card for any large purchases. Travellers checks are pretty much accepted everywhere like cash.[msnsmile]
If you buy Travellers cheques now the rate is about $1.88 When you go next summer the rate could be a lot lower than this, in which case using your credit/debit cards would be more expensive, on the other hand could the rate be even higher then, it is anybodys quess.
My Brother bought £1000 worth a couple of months ago when the rate first started going up!
Now it as hit the $1.88 mark he is gutted, but thats a chance you take!!
Shop around for the best rate!!
The Dollar is gaining strength again!
[msncry]
You are allowed to take upto $10,000 with declaring it to the US Customs
[quote]Originally posted by bluebirds
Are you allowed only to take a certain amount of cash in to the states?
We only take $200 cash and credit cards. Use Nationwide card to draw cash from ATM - no ATM charges at our local Suntrust or Bank of America or with Nationwide.
Exchange rate yesterday $1.94.