Best Place to buy Foreign Currency
Jun 18th 2003, 7:55 am
#46
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Best Place to buy Foreign Currency
Miguel Cruz wrote:
> Mark Hewitt wrote:
> > It's always a good idea to bring local currency with you. Every time
I've
> > flown into Heathrow on an international flight there are always people
> > fussing with the taxis asking if they take credit cards as they have no
UK
> > currency on them
> Seems to be a red herring: They could have used the ATM while they were
> waiting for their luggage or passing through the terminal, like any
sensible
> person would do.
> > I don't see the issue with bringing some cash with you. Even if it's
just,
> > say, £50. Considering the cost of your travel and accomodation, what's
it
> > going to cost you, £3 at the most maybe? Big deal!!
> The reason I don't do it is that experience has proven it's a total waste
of
> time and effort. Never once yet have I needed it, so why bother? I could
> make lunches and dinners for the first few days and pack them in ziploc
bags
> to bring with me until I get a sense for where the restaurants are in case
I
> can't find any right away, but I don't do that either. There's a finite
> amount of time before a trip, so I try to spend it on things that will
make
> my life easier.
The English gals I guided around here in Chicago last week commented "You
have Cash Points *everywhere* here in the States, just like we
do!"....*lol*.....
--
Best
Greg
> Mark Hewitt wrote:
> > It's always a good idea to bring local currency with you. Every time
I've
> > flown into Heathrow on an international flight there are always people
> > fussing with the taxis asking if they take credit cards as they have no
UK
> > currency on them
> Seems to be a red herring: They could have used the ATM while they were
> waiting for their luggage or passing through the terminal, like any
sensible
> person would do.
> > I don't see the issue with bringing some cash with you. Even if it's
just,
> > say, £50. Considering the cost of your travel and accomodation, what's
it
> > going to cost you, £3 at the most maybe? Big deal!!
> The reason I don't do it is that experience has proven it's a total waste
of
> time and effort. Never once yet have I needed it, so why bother? I could
> make lunches and dinners for the first few days and pack them in ziploc
bags
> to bring with me until I get a sense for where the restaurants are in case
I
> can't find any right away, but I don't do that either. There's a finite
> amount of time before a trip, so I try to spend it on things that will
make
> my life easier.
The English gals I guided around here in Chicago last week commented "You
have Cash Points *everywhere* here in the States, just like we
do!"....*lol*.....
--
Best
Greg
Jun 18th 2003, 9:11 am
#47
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Best Place to buy Foreign Currency
In article , Miguel Cruz
writes
>Mark Hewitt wrote:
>> It's always a good idea to bring local currency with you. Every time I've
>> flown into Heathrow on an international flight there are always people
>> fussing with the taxis asking if they take credit cards as they have no UK
>> currency on them
>Seems to be a red herring: They could have used the ATM while they were
>waiting for their luggage or passing through the terminal, like any sensible
>person would do.
>> I don't see the issue with bringing some cash with you. Even if it's just,
>> say, £50. Considering the cost of your travel and accomodation, what's it
>> going to cost you, £3 at the most maybe? Big deal!!
>The reason I don't do it is that experience has proven it's a total waste of
>time and effort. Never once yet have I needed it, so why bother? I could
>make lunches and dinners for the first few days and pack them in ziploc bags
>to bring with me until I get a sense for where the restaurants are in case I
>can't find any right away, but I don't do that either. There's a finite
>amount of time before a trip, so I try to spend it on things that will make
>my life easier.
>I think Greg put it well, and I agree: I don't personally care how someone
>else handles their money, but if they want my advice, all I can do is share
>what's worked for me.
>miguel
Maybe it is easier for us in the UK to get foreign currency. Certainly
we needed dollar bills on arrival at Newark to get a luggage trolley.
To get foreign currency I just walk into a shop on any high street, or
better still, Marks and Spencer if I am in Manchester and get the
currency over the counter without any formalities at all.
When I am going to France in August I shall get 100 pounds or so in
Euros and then there is no hassle at all. It is just so easy to do.
--
Marie Lewis
writes
>Mark Hewitt wrote:
>> It's always a good idea to bring local currency with you. Every time I've
>> flown into Heathrow on an international flight there are always people
>> fussing with the taxis asking if they take credit cards as they have no UK
>> currency on them
>Seems to be a red herring: They could have used the ATM while they were
>waiting for their luggage or passing through the terminal, like any sensible
>person would do.
>> I don't see the issue with bringing some cash with you. Even if it's just,
>> say, £50. Considering the cost of your travel and accomodation, what's it
>> going to cost you, £3 at the most maybe? Big deal!!
>The reason I don't do it is that experience has proven it's a total waste of
>time and effort. Never once yet have I needed it, so why bother? I could
>make lunches and dinners for the first few days and pack them in ziploc bags
>to bring with me until I get a sense for where the restaurants are in case I
>can't find any right away, but I don't do that either. There's a finite
>amount of time before a trip, so I try to spend it on things that will make
>my life easier.
>I think Greg put it well, and I agree: I don't personally care how someone
>else handles their money, but if they want my advice, all I can do is share
>what's worked for me.
>miguel
Maybe it is easier for us in the UK to get foreign currency. Certainly
we needed dollar bills on arrival at Newark to get a luggage trolley.
To get foreign currency I just walk into a shop on any high street, or
better still, Marks and Spencer if I am in Manchester and get the
currency over the counter without any formalities at all.
When I am going to France in August I shall get 100 pounds or so in
Euros and then there is no hassle at all. It is just so easy to do.
--
Marie Lewis
Jun 18th 2003, 10:06 am
#48
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Best Place to buy Foreign Currency
On Wed, 18 Jun 2003 13:36:22 +0100, "Owain"
wrote:
>"Miss L.Toe" wrote
>| I could give more examples of people who got stuck because they didnt have
>| local curency. Like the woman with two kids who was flying to Ireland in
>| the same plane as me, she had no cash with her ... When we stopped for
>| refreshments she had no money to buy food for her kids.
>And sometimes you don't want to have to run round looking for an ATM when
>you want to "spend a penny" urgently.
>| SHIT HAPPENS - BE PREPARED.
>I'm told it does, especially when travelling with young children :-)
I'm 65, my wife is 54, and we travel with our five year old
daughter. We've never had trouble finding either an ATM or a
For-Ex booth.
So long as you come from a major country carrying a bit of your
own money, just in case, is all you need.
Shit does happen, but if you're going to obsess on it you'd
better stay home.
************* DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) *************
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow *
* My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *
wrote:
>"Miss L.Toe" wrote
>| I could give more examples of people who got stuck because they didnt have
>| local curency. Like the woman with two kids who was flying to Ireland in
>| the same plane as me, she had no cash with her ... When we stopped for
>| refreshments she had no money to buy food for her kids.
>And sometimes you don't want to have to run round looking for an ATM when
>you want to "spend a penny" urgently.
>| SHIT HAPPENS - BE PREPARED.
>I'm told it does, especially when travelling with young children :-)
I'm 65, my wife is 54, and we travel with our five year old
daughter. We've never had trouble finding either an ATM or a
For-Ex booth.
So long as you come from a major country carrying a bit of your
own money, just in case, is all you need.
Shit does happen, but if you're going to obsess on it you'd
better stay home.
************* DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) *************
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow *
* My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *
Jun 19th 2003, 1:48 am
#49
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Best Place to buy Foreign Currency
"Hatunen" wrote
| Owain wrote:
| >| SHIT HAPPENS - BE PREPARED.
| >I'm told it does, especially when travelling with young children :-)
| Shit does happen, but if you're going to obsess on it you'd
| better stay home.
I prefer to plan ahead so that shit does not happen.
Poor Preparation, Planning and Procedure Produces Poor Performance.
Owain
| Owain wrote:
| >| SHIT HAPPENS - BE PREPARED.
| >I'm told it does, especially when travelling with young children :-)
| Shit does happen, but if you're going to obsess on it you'd
| better stay home.
I prefer to plan ahead so that shit does not happen.
Poor Preparation, Planning and Procedure Produces Poor Performance.
Owain
Jun 19th 2003, 3:03 am
#50
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Best Place to buy Foreign Currency
> Shit does happen, but if you're going to obsess on it you'd
> better stay home.
True - but if you can't learn lesson from the bad experiances of others then
you have a lot to learn about life. Just doing simple things can save a lot
of hassle *if* the worst happens. Like I usually pack a spare set of
underwear in my hand luggage just in case my back gets lost.
I don't think I'm obsessed, just prepared.
> better stay home.
True - but if you can't learn lesson from the bad experiances of others then
you have a lot to learn about life. Just doing simple things can save a lot
of hassle *if* the worst happens. Like I usually pack a spare set of
underwear in my hand luggage just in case my back gets lost.
I don't think I'm obsessed, just prepared.
Jun 19th 2003, 3:08 am
#51
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Best Place to buy Foreign Currency
> > To me having a little bit of hassle before I go is preferably to a few
> > minutes of precious holiday time wasted at a cash point, and more
hassle
> > than that if it doesnt work.
> I suppose that, if your "holiday time" is extremely short, and you have
> nothing to do pre-holiday, then you could save the "few minutes of
precious
> holiday time" by getting cash before you leave.
Or I usually have a few spare minutes at the departure airport after
checking in.
> Of course, for this to
> work out, then you must exchange sufficient currency to handle _all_ of
> your needs before leaving, or else you will _still_ need to waste a few
> minutes on the second, third, or whatever day of your holidays.
If I'm away for up to a week I'll take all the local cash I need. Over a
week and I'll use an ATM or something at the other end.
> Additionally, at least in my case (though this appears to be true of most
> other people of my acquaintance, as well), my time is much more in demand
> while preparing for a holiday -- once I am on holiday, I have plenty of
> time to "waste", because... well.. I'm on holiday.
> If you are one of those people who packs so much into a holiday that you
> can't spare a minute or two, then, as you write:
> > each to his/her own...
> But, if so, then (at least IMO), your priorities are so strange that the
> issue of getting currency before you leave is minor in comparison to the
> rest.
It's just a habit Ive got into, I think its a good one, and I was sharing
it.
> And, to reiterate: I don't care one way or the other what you happen to
> prefer; I'm just tired of totally absurd "scare stories".
They are not absurd scare stories - they have happened to real people that I
have met - All I want to do is make some other potential idiot think (and
I'm not specifically calling anyone an idiot).
> > minutes of precious holiday time wasted at a cash point, and more
hassle
> > than that if it doesnt work.
> I suppose that, if your "holiday time" is extremely short, and you have
> nothing to do pre-holiday, then you could save the "few minutes of
precious
> holiday time" by getting cash before you leave.
Or I usually have a few spare minutes at the departure airport after
checking in.
> Of course, for this to
> work out, then you must exchange sufficient currency to handle _all_ of
> your needs before leaving, or else you will _still_ need to waste a few
> minutes on the second, third, or whatever day of your holidays.
If I'm away for up to a week I'll take all the local cash I need. Over a
week and I'll use an ATM or something at the other end.
> Additionally, at least in my case (though this appears to be true of most
> other people of my acquaintance, as well), my time is much more in demand
> while preparing for a holiday -- once I am on holiday, I have plenty of
> time to "waste", because... well.. I'm on holiday.
> If you are one of those people who packs so much into a holiday that you
> can't spare a minute or two, then, as you write:
> > each to his/her own...
> But, if so, then (at least IMO), your priorities are so strange that the
> issue of getting currency before you leave is minor in comparison to the
> rest.
It's just a habit Ive got into, I think its a good one, and I was sharing
it.
> And, to reiterate: I don't care one way or the other what you happen to
> prefer; I'm just tired of totally absurd "scare stories".
They are not absurd scare stories - they have happened to real people that I
have met - All I want to do is make some other potential idiot think (and
I'm not specifically calling anyone an idiot).
Jun 19th 2003, 3:11 am
#52
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Best Place to buy Foreign Currency
> The English gals I guided around here in Chicago last week commented "You
> have Cash Points *everywhere* here in the States, just like we
> do!"....*lol*.....
At least we dont have too many 'drive-thru' cash points. To me that really
sums up American society.
What''ll be next - drive-thru funeral parlours ?
> have Cash Points *everywhere* here in the States, just like we
> do!"....*lol*.....
At least we dont have too many 'drive-thru' cash points. To me that really
sums up American society.
What''ll be next - drive-thru funeral parlours ?
Jun 19th 2003, 3:13 am
#53
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Best Place to buy Foreign Currency
> Maybe it is easier for us in the UK to get foreign currency. Certainly
> we needed dollar bills on arrival at Newark to get a luggage trolley.
> To get foreign currency I just walk into a shop on any high street, or
> better still, Marks and Spencer if I am in Manchester and get the
> currency over the counter without any formalities at all.
I guess in the states if you walk into most banks and asked for Euros they
send you next door thinking you wanted Orios.
> we needed dollar bills on arrival at Newark to get a luggage trolley.
> To get foreign currency I just walk into a shop on any high street, or
> better still, Marks and Spencer if I am in Manchester and get the
> currency over the counter without any formalities at all.
I guess in the states if you walk into most banks and asked for Euros they
send you next door thinking you wanted Orios.
Jun 19th 2003, 4:30 am
#54
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Best Place to buy Foreign Currency
Miss L.Toe wrote:
> If I'm away for up to a week I'll take all the local cash I need. Over a
> week and I'll use an ATM or something at the other end.
Well, that's the other side of being careful. To minimize loss in the case
of sudden wallet disappearance or muggery (or just outright sloppy
carelessness) I rarely if ever carry more than US$40 on me. In Europe it's
pretty hard to spend a week on that.
So everyone has their own little equations about what is the most sensible
course of action.
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Maldives, Dubai and Vietnam
> If I'm away for up to a week I'll take all the local cash I need. Over a
> week and I'll use an ATM or something at the other end.
Well, that's the other side of being careful. To minimize loss in the case
of sudden wallet disappearance or muggery (or just outright sloppy
carelessness) I rarely if ever carry more than US$40 on me. In Europe it's
pretty hard to spend a week on that.
So everyone has their own little equations about what is the most sensible
course of action.
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Maldives, Dubai and Vietnam
Jun 19th 2003, 4:30 am
#55
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Best Place to buy Foreign Currency
Miss L.Toe wrote:
> At least we dont have too many 'drive-thru' cash points. To me that really
> sums up American society.
In the midwest there are drive-through beer places, which seems a bit
frightening.
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Maldives, Dubai and Vietnam
> At least we dont have too many 'drive-thru' cash points. To me that really
> sums up American society.
In the midwest there are drive-through beer places, which seems a bit
frightening.
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Maldives, Dubai and Vietnam
Jun 19th 2003, 4:32 am
#56
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Best Place to buy Foreign Currency
"Miguel Cruz" wrote in message
news
[email protected]...
> Miss L.Toe wrote:
> > If I'm away for up to a week I'll take all the local cash I need. Over a
> > week and I'll use an ATM or something at the other end.
> Well, that's the other side of being careful. To minimize loss in the case
> of sudden wallet disappearance or muggery (or just outright sloppy
> carelessness) I rarely if ever carry more than US$40 on me. In Europe it's
> pretty hard to spend a week on that.
> So everyone has their own little equations about what is the most sensible
> course of action.
True - but I spread my cash around - I maybe carry 300 EUR at peak. 50-100
in an easilly accesible (and easilly stealable place) - The rest usually in
two lots 1 in hand luggage, 1 in checked luggage (or hotel room safe).
How can you manage on 40USD/EUR for a day ? That really goes nowhere,
unless you put absolutely everything on your CC, but it tend to keep my CC
well out of sight in any sort of public place.
Maybe I rate lack of hassle higher, and potential loss of hundered euro or
so lower, than most.
news
[email protected]...> Miss L.Toe wrote:
> > If I'm away for up to a week I'll take all the local cash I need. Over a
> > week and I'll use an ATM or something at the other end.
> Well, that's the other side of being careful. To minimize loss in the case
> of sudden wallet disappearance or muggery (or just outright sloppy
> carelessness) I rarely if ever carry more than US$40 on me. In Europe it's
> pretty hard to spend a week on that.
> So everyone has their own little equations about what is the most sensible
> course of action.
True - but I spread my cash around - I maybe carry 300 EUR at peak. 50-100
in an easilly accesible (and easilly stealable place) - The rest usually in
two lots 1 in hand luggage, 1 in checked luggage (or hotel room safe).
How can you manage on 40USD/EUR for a day ? That really goes nowhere,
unless you put absolutely everything on your CC, but it tend to keep my CC
well out of sight in any sort of public place.
Maybe I rate lack of hassle higher, and potential loss of hundered euro or
so lower, than most.
Jun 19th 2003, 4:41 am
#57
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Best Place to buy Foreign Currency
On Thu, 19 Jun 2003 16:11:41 +0100, "Miss L.Toe" wrote:
>> The English gals I guided around here in Chicago last week commented "You
>> have Cash Points *everywhere* here in the States, just like we
>> do!"....*lol*.....
>At least we dont have too many 'drive-thru' cash points. To me that really
>sums up American society.
Why? What's wrong with drive-thru ATMs? Beats standing in a line
in the hot sun.
>What''ll be next - drive-thru funeral parlours ?
They do exist. The casket and stiff are on view through a window.
But they are rather rare.
************* DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) *************
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow *
* My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *
>> The English gals I guided around here in Chicago last week commented "You
>> have Cash Points *everywhere* here in the States, just like we
>> do!"....*lol*.....
>At least we dont have too many 'drive-thru' cash points. To me that really
>sums up American society.
Why? What's wrong with drive-thru ATMs? Beats standing in a line
in the hot sun.
>What''ll be next - drive-thru funeral parlours ?
They do exist. The casket and stiff are on view through a window.
But they are rather rare.
************* DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) *************
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow *
* My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *
Jun 19th 2003, 5:17 am
#58
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Best Place to buy Foreign Currency
> Well, that's the other side of being careful. To minimize loss in the case
> of sudden wallet disappearance or muggery (or just outright sloppy
> carelessness) I rarely if ever carry more than US$40 on me. In Europe it's
> pretty hard to spend a week on that.
Oh, so you are one of those people who is in front of me on line who needs
to use a credit card or an ATM card to pay for something costing $5.10....I
hate you people
> of sudden wallet disappearance or muggery (or just outright sloppy
> carelessness) I rarely if ever carry more than US$40 on me. In Europe it's
> pretty hard to spend a week on that.
Oh, so you are one of those people who is in front of me on line who needs
to use a credit card or an ATM card to pay for something costing $5.10....I
hate you people
Jun 19th 2003, 6:24 am
#59
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Best Place to buy Foreign Currency
Miss L.Toe wrote:
> Miguel Cruz wrote:
>> Well, that's the other side of being careful. To minimize loss in the case
>> of sudden wallet disappearance or muggery (or just outright sloppy
>> carelessness) I rarely if ever carry more than US$40 on me. In Europe it's
>> pretty hard to spend a week on that.
>> So everyone has their own little equations about what is the most sensible
>> course of action.
> True - but I spread my cash around - I maybe carry 300 EUR at peak. 50-100
> in an easilly accesible (and easilly stealable place) - The rest usually in
> two lots 1 in hand luggage, 1 in checked luggage (or hotel room safe).
>
> How can you manage on 40USD/EUR for a day ? That really goes nowhere,
> unless you put absolutely everything on your CC, but it tend to keep my CC
> well out of sight in any sort of public place.
I put hotels, intercity travel, and more expensive meals on credit card, and
everything else with cash. At home $40 lasts me through the week (basically
just lunch every day) unless I go out in the evening. When traveling in
Europe it normally lasts me two or three days (breakfast, lunch, dinner
sometimes, bus/tram fare). I don't have any particular qualms about people
seeing my credit card. I've never lost one or had it physically stolen.
> Maybe I rate lack of hassle higher, and potential loss of hundered euro or
> so lower, than most.
A perfectly fair valuation. Depends on your balance of time and finances.
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Maldives, Dubai and Vietnam
> Miguel Cruz wrote:
>> Well, that's the other side of being careful. To minimize loss in the case
>> of sudden wallet disappearance or muggery (or just outright sloppy
>> carelessness) I rarely if ever carry more than US$40 on me. In Europe it's
>> pretty hard to spend a week on that.
>> So everyone has their own little equations about what is the most sensible
>> course of action.
> True - but I spread my cash around - I maybe carry 300 EUR at peak. 50-100
> in an easilly accesible (and easilly stealable place) - The rest usually in
> two lots 1 in hand luggage, 1 in checked luggage (or hotel room safe).
>
> How can you manage on 40USD/EUR for a day ? That really goes nowhere,
> unless you put absolutely everything on your CC, but it tend to keep my CC
> well out of sight in any sort of public place.
I put hotels, intercity travel, and more expensive meals on credit card, and
everything else with cash. At home $40 lasts me through the week (basically
just lunch every day) unless I go out in the evening. When traveling in
Europe it normally lasts me two or three days (breakfast, lunch, dinner
sometimes, bus/tram fare). I don't have any particular qualms about people
seeing my credit card. I've never lost one or had it physically stolen.
> Maybe I rate lack of hassle higher, and potential loss of hundered euro or
> so lower, than most.
A perfectly fair valuation. Depends on your balance of time and finances.
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Maldives, Dubai and Vietnam
Jun 19th 2003, 8:34 am
#60
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Best Place to buy Foreign Currency
On Thu, 19 Jun 2003 14:48:08 +0100, "Owain"
wrote:
>"Hatunen" wrote
>| Owain wrote:
>| >| SHIT HAPPENS - BE PREPARED.
>| >I'm told it does, especially when travelling with young children :-)
>| Shit does happen, but if you're going to obsess on it you'd
>| better stay home.
>I prefer to plan ahead so that shit does not happen.
>Poor Preparation, Planning and Procedure Produces Poor Performance.
Honest now, do you prepare for every possible contingency? If
not, where do you draw the line?
************* DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) *************
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow *
* My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *
wrote:
>"Hatunen" wrote
>| Owain wrote:
>| >| SHIT HAPPENS - BE PREPARED.
>| >I'm told it does, especially when travelling with young children :-)
>| Shit does happen, but if you're going to obsess on it you'd
>| better stay home.
>I prefer to plan ahead so that shit does not happen.
>Poor Preparation, Planning and Procedure Produces Poor Performance.
Honest now, do you prepare for every possible contingency? If
not, where do you draw the line?
************* DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) *************
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow *
* My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *
