Comments on: How should I deal with bringing and carrying money during my two week trip to France and Spain? http://www.mobilemerchantaccount.net/how-should-i-deal-with-bringing-and-carrying-money-during-my-two-week-trip-to-france-and-spain-2 The Best In Telephone Credit Card Processing Sat, 11 Feb 2012 08:23:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Mickey D. http://www.mobilemerchantaccount.net/how-should-i-deal-with-bringing-and-carrying-money-during-my-two-week-trip-to-france-and-spain-2/comment-page-1#comment-1105 Mickey D. Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:22:04 +0000 http://www.mobilemerchantaccount.net/how-should-i-deal-with-bringing-and-carrying-money-during-my-two-week-trip-to-france-and-spain-2#comment-1105 First, don't bother with the Verizon phone. In the USA, Verizon uses CDMA technology. Most of Europe uses GSM technology. Not compatible. (Like bringing a CD to use in a cassette player.) Best to get a disposable phone when you get there. For money, I would get a VISA check card/debit card. (Or something similar.) It's like having a credit card tied to a specific checking account at home. You can only use up to the amount in the account. It works just like a credit card. You can get one as a minor since it doesn't involve actual credit. It's also protected just like a credit card. I guess you could think of it as a plastic check that you can use anywhere a credit card can be used, even ATMs. Just deposit whatever cash you think you may need into the bank and you're good to go. But, do it quickly. It takes several days to get the card in the mail. Usually, your PIN will be mailed separately to you. First, don’t bother with the Verizon phone. In the USA, Verizon uses CDMA technology. Most of Europe uses GSM technology. Not compatible. (Like bringing a CD to use in a cassette player.) Best to get a disposable phone when you get there.

For money, I would get a VISA check card/debit card. (Or something similar.) It’s like having a credit card tied to a specific checking account at home. You can only use up to the amount in the account. It works just like a credit card. You can get one as a minor since it doesn’t involve actual credit. It’s also protected just like a credit card. I guess you could think of it as a plastic check that you can use anywhere a credit card can be used, even ATMs. Just deposit whatever cash you think you may need into the bank and you’re good to go. But, do it quickly. It takes several days to get the card in the mail. Usually, your PIN will be mailed separately to you.

]]> By: Deanna http://www.mobilemerchantaccount.net/how-should-i-deal-with-bringing-and-carrying-money-during-my-two-week-trip-to-france-and-spain-2/comment-page-1#comment-1106 Deanna Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:22:04 +0000 http://www.mobilemerchantaccount.net/how-should-i-deal-with-bringing-and-carrying-money-during-my-two-week-trip-to-france-and-spain-2#comment-1106 Do you have a debit card? In my experience, this is the easiest way to get cash in Europe. That said, it is a good idea to take your money in more than one form. Things to do before you go: 1) do take some Euro cash before you leave, it will be handy once you are off the plane 2) tell your bank how long you will be out of the country, what countries you are going to, and ask how much they will charge you for foreign withdrawals. 3) Get your banks emergency phone number in case your card it stolen and you have to call to cancel it. 4) If you do choose to take travellers cheques, do some research on where you would be able to cash them on your trip (not many shops/ restaurants accept these as payment, you would need to cash them locally to spend them, and yes, this can be time consuming, but there is more security if they are lost/ stolen.) Take a money belt as well, to keep your passport, debit card, and larger amounts of cash safe. Don't let people see you take money out of your money belt - do this somewhere discrete. As for your phone, call your provider and ask directly, but also ask yourself if you REALLY need to keep in touch by phone for 2 weeks. You can always find internet cafes, this will be a good cheap way to keep in touch with anyone back home. Do you have a debit card? In my experience, this is the easiest way to get cash in Europe. That said, it is a good idea to take your money in more than one form.

Things to do before you go:
1) do take some Euro cash before you leave, it will be handy once you are off the plane

2) tell your bank how long you will be out of the country, what countries you are going to, and ask how much they will charge you for foreign withdrawals.

3) Get your banks emergency phone number in case your card it stolen and you have to call to cancel it.

4) If you do choose to take travellers cheques, do some research on where you would be able to cash them on your trip (not many shops/ restaurants accept these as payment, you would need to cash them locally to spend them, and yes, this can be time consuming, but there is more security if they are lost/ stolen.)

Take a money belt as well, to keep your passport, debit card, and larger amounts of cash safe. Don’t let people see you take money out of your money belt - do this somewhere discrete.

As for your phone, call your provider and ask directly, but also ask yourself if you REALLY need to keep in touch by phone for 2 weeks. You can always find internet cafes, this will be a good cheap way to keep in touch with anyone back home.

]]> By: magidge http://www.mobilemerchantaccount.net/how-should-i-deal-with-bringing-and-carrying-money-during-my-two-week-trip-to-france-and-spain-2/comment-page-1#comment-1107 magidge Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:22:04 +0000 http://www.mobilemerchantaccount.net/how-should-i-deal-with-bringing-and-carrying-money-during-my-two-week-trip-to-france-and-spain-2#comment-1107 You are right about the travellers cheques, they are very outdated and very few people use them anymore. Apart from that the only place where you could exchange them is at a bank, and believe me it would be an experience! No bar or restaurant would accept them. One important thing, when changing cash to a foreign currency, you will always get a better rate in the destination country, in this case Spain. Don't change it at the airport though, rip-off rates...change it at a bank. You have two options, a debit card or cash. A debit card will have a transaction and/or commission charge of approx 2% (it can vary, check with your bank before you leave) for withdrawing at ATMs, but it is very handy. Cash...change it at a bank, ask your relatives to keep the bulk of it for you safely and just hold onto what you would need on a daily basis. Re the phone...leave it behind...have a phone free holiday! You are right about the travellers cheques, they are very outdated and very few people use them anymore. Apart from that the only place where you could exchange them is at a bank, and believe me it would be an experience! No bar or restaurant would accept them.

One important thing, when changing cash to a foreign currency, you will always get a better rate in the destination country, in this case Spain. Don’t change it at the airport though, rip-off rates…change it at a bank.

You have two options, a debit card or cash. A debit card will have a transaction and/or commission charge of approx 2% (it can vary, check with your bank before you leave) for withdrawing at ATMs, but it is very handy.

Cash…change it at a bank, ask your relatives to keep the bulk of it for you safely and just hold onto what you would need on a daily basis.

Re the phone…leave it behind…have a phone free holiday!

]]> By: Charlie http://www.mobilemerchantaccount.net/how-should-i-deal-with-bringing-and-carrying-money-during-my-two-week-trip-to-france-and-spain-2/comment-page-1#comment-1108 Charlie Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:22:04 +0000 http://www.mobilemerchantaccount.net/how-should-i-deal-with-bringing-and-carrying-money-during-my-two-week-trip-to-france-and-spain-2#comment-1108 Your parents could get you a pre-paid credit and/or a credit card with a limit on it ...or better yet, an ATM card. An ATM card is the best way to get cash as needed when you are in another country. Your parents could open a joint account with you, get an ATM card for you to use. Your parents could get you a pre-paid credit and/or a credit card with a limit on it …or better yet, an ATM card. An ATM card is the best way to get cash as needed when you are in another country. Your parents could open a joint account with you, get an ATM card for you to use.

]]> By: Jeannine H http://www.mobilemerchantaccount.net/how-should-i-deal-with-bringing-and-carrying-money-during-my-two-week-trip-to-france-and-spain-2/comment-page-1#comment-1109 Jeannine H Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:22:04 +0000 http://www.mobilemerchantaccount.net/how-should-i-deal-with-bringing-and-carrying-money-during-my-two-week-trip-to-france-and-spain-2#comment-1109 Traveler's Cheques are a very good option, especially because if anything happens to them, you'll get a full refund for your money. When you get there, you can cash out the cheques a little at a time. It is a bit of a hassle but well worth it if you're concerned about safety. Watch out when you're walking through the streets, try not to carry all of your cash in your purse, place some in the pocket of your jeans. Ditch your cell! You have to go through too many hoops for the short time you're going to be there. And they charge you for making AND receiving calls. Go relax and have fun. Traveler’s Cheques are a very good option, especially because if anything happens to them, you’ll get a full refund for your money. When you get there, you can cash out the cheques a little at a time. It is a bit of a hassle but well worth it if you’re concerned about safety. Watch out when you’re walking through the streets, try not to carry all of your cash in your purse, place some in the pocket of your jeans.

Ditch your cell! You have to go through too many hoops for the short time you’re going to be there. And they charge you for making AND receiving calls. Go relax and have fun.

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