OT: Changing currency question
 

Ok, I know this is not on topic BUT I have tried searching and I am not finding anything of use on any forum.
I am travelling to Ireland in 2 weeks and I am wondering what is the best and cheapest way to cover my expenses while I am there. We have a visa debit card and wonder if it would be best to use this OR to just change over the currency to Euro and work with cash when there?
I am estimating to spending around 100 euros a day and so for my 5 day visit will be spending about 500 euros which will cost something around $650 at current rates.

Anyone got some advice on this??

Thanks
Patrick

Re: OT: Changing currency question
 

Depends on your bank if they charge for overseas cash withdrawals, and how much the max charge is, if it ain't much, and your taking out a lot of cash, might be cheaper to do that.
But it's still worth having travellers cheques as some places will accept them as cash, and if they get knicked, easy to replace and are insured...

Re: OT: Changing currency question
 

Live of your friends and relatives... mine seem to have no problem doing that when visiting me...

Re: OT: Changing currency question
 

Food for thought:
Forget using your credit card for cash advances, unless it is an emergency. The fees are outrageous. Check before you leave for the offered exchange rate for credit card purchases; most cc companies are not offering the wholesale rates they used to, making cc purchases a worse seal than they used to be.
It's a good idea to call credit card and banks before you leave to notify them that you are travelling. Due to higher fraud, 'unusual' purchasess and withdrawals may cause them to freeze your accounts while they confirm with you. If you are away from email, this can be a disaster. Inform them if your spouse or other cardholders will be traveling or staying at home.

Speaking of outrageous, check with your bank for the latest fees on ATM withdrawals in foreign countries. This has always been my preferred method, but with fees up to $5 per w/d (plus whatever the foreign bank charges you to use the machine) it's not acceptable for small withdrawals. If you are staying somewhere safe (obviously you are, but when traveling not always practical), go for the largest withdrawal you can and keep your Eurocash at 'home'. Hopefully you'd only need 2 withdrawals.

Don't know the situation in Ireland, but in England, the Post Office has *very* competative exchange rates with no fees. If you have US cash to change, this can be a much better deal than one of the currency houses or a bank.

Forget buying Euros in the US; you will not get a very good exchange rate.

If you know of a good rate to buy Euros in Ireland, you could consider a cashier's cheque from your US bank, but as a non-Irish customer, there may be more fees attached than are worth it.

Happy Travels!

Re: OT: Changing currency question
 

Thanks for the excellent outline. I think from what you are advising I should wait till I get to Ireland and then change my money there, I know when I exchanged money here in the US I got VERY poor rates.

My next big pain now is car rental, without a "proper" credit card, it seems I cannot rent a car there :(

Thanks
Patrick

Re: OT: Changing currency question
 

I saw a bit on the news the other night that said that credit card companies were charging a fee for foreign charges and conversions to US dollars. A couple companies were already doing this and some others were going to start soon. I can't remember the details unfortunately! I think I saw it on eithe CNN or Headline News, if you want to try searching those sites. I do remember it made me think that next time I went overseas I'd do the traveller check thing rather than charge.

As you know, the exchange rate sucks at the moment, so it's gonna hurt
whatever you do. Enjoy the trip though! Was watching "Waking Ned Devine"
the other day and it made me ache to visit Ireland again.

Dawn

Re: OT: Changing currency question
 

Try AutoEurope online for the best rates on your own. If no joy there, call a travel agent (ahem, paging cindyabs!) and see what they can swing for you. SOME companies will let you put a cash deposit when using a "non proper" credit card. Since credit cards are new even in some parts of Europe, I've had several friends run into this problem.
Alternately, see if a family member can help you out with the rental, and add you as a named driver.

<sigh> Wish I was going! Just back from New Orleans & environs and already planning Lost Wages and Grand Canyon for our upcoming third (!) anniversary ;) It's up for a vote: camping or not?

Re: OT: Changing currency question
 

Hi meauxna!

NO on the camping! LOL Just my opinion...I hate camping! :) I vote for El Tovar Hotel at the Grand Canyon...it's rustic and right on the edge of the canyon (might be a bit pricey, though). Sadegh and I stayed at the Best Western right outside the entrance of the Grand Canyon when we went, and the rates were very reasonable and the hotel was really nice! I'd invite you down to Phoenix since you won't be *too* far away...but I suppose you want to be alone on your anniversary...hehehe ;)

Speaking of which, our first anniversary is coming up, and I'm trying to think of a good romantic place for us to go - only have a couple of days, though, so nothing too far away. :)

Rene

Re: OT: Changing currency question
 

So then maybe just bring dollars in cash and then exchange in Ireland? Will be something like $800 for 5 days (thinking 100 euro a day).

Patrick

Re: OT: Changing currency question
 

Where have you been? I have missed your posts and your lovely accent LOL.
When we went to Spain for our Christmas vacation we took cash and our debit card, we exchanged the money in Barajas at no cost, we took 400 dollars and got around 280 euros ouchie:(
Have fun "lad"

Re: OT: Changing currency question
 

I live off my parents when I go there and they love it!!;)

Re: OT: Changing currency question
 

Not that his matters but are you the USC? Just wondering. My hubby's from Ireland and I always went the way of the ATM. My bank is really good about fees though so it wasn't ever too much of a hit on my bank account. I never changed US currency...I wouldn't even know where to go to do it to be honest. I know that there are banks but it's not like some countries I've been in where there are change bureaus all over the place. For convenience if your bank's fees aren't too steep I'd recommend using your debit card.

I don't know about the car rental issue. My hubby didn't drive until his last six months there so we used public transport to get every where. The trains can take you pretty much everywhere (if you're the Irish citizen then just ignore me since you already know this). Out of curiosity where are you going in Ireland? If you're in Dublin you won't need a car.

MarDae:)

Re: OT: Changing currency question
 

Yes I am the Irish citizen and I know that I do need a car, is north of Dublin and I need a car to travel between my mom's and my ex-wife's house where my kids are.

Hey Tweeky,,, been very busy and in so many posts I do not feel educated enough to answer a lot of the current questions on the forum. I still read most days though. :)

Patrick

Re: OT: Changing currency question
 

Being busy is good, I start working on the 25th, I can't wait!!:)
Be good..

Re: OT: Changing currency question
 

hiya MarDae!
The banking fee changes I wrote about are new since Jan 05. It was an ugly surprise for our recent trip to Asia :(
If it's been awhile, suggest that everyone check their most recent Banking Agreement (or ask at a branch) to see what the new Overseas ATM fees are.