Tanja87

Unfortunately it hasn't been decided yet if we'll be moving over - we're still quite far off from that Otherwise great idea with the account! Preloaded card some new useful though - will definitely have a think about that! Gotta compare exchange rates etc. I guess...?!
Cool, ok! Yeah, I can imagine a bit of rain in that heat might actually be quite nice - freshen up the air a little perhaps... I remember it did when we were in Mexico in September 8 years ago lol! I was considering lightweight raincoats but I'll trust your judgement on that one Thanks!

MidAtlantic

I don't think you can use a pre-loaded card at the pump or, if you do, it will block a large value which will take some time to clear.

You would need to go to the cashier to pay.

Tanja87

Oh ok! To be fair we'll probably take cash with us and as per getting fuel I don't mind checking with the cashier what's best for us to do.
Still interested in hearing what people think about taking kids to the rodeo...? Yay or nay?

Pulaski

Cash is a bad idea - obtaining it is expensive (poor exch rate, fees on ATM withdrawals), and carrying it is risky.

Get $100 if you really feel you need it for small purchases, but using your credit card is safer all round, and I would strongly recommend it. Just be sure to let your bank know before you travel, so they don't block it.

Personally I wouldn't take small children to a rodeo. If someone gets gored or trampeled it would be memorable for the wrong reasons. In any case I don't see a rodeo as much of an improvement over a bull fight.

Canveydave

We took our kids to the Katy Rodeo twice. Its a small local thing, much smaller than the enormous Houston Rodeo.

It was actually really good fun. They do Mutton Bustin with some of the more adventurous kids, and some of the feats that the cowboys do are frankly mind boggling. Also the Rodeo Clowns are very skillful.

I know some will cry animal cruelty, all I saw was actual livestock, farm animals that were taken pretty good care of. I admit though I didnt look too hard!

ChocolateBabz

The Houston Rodeo is the only one we have done and it's a blast. Shopping, fun fair, food until you burst, then the actual rodeo at night and a concert.

Pugilation

We're planning on taking the family to the Houston Rodeo in the week before our wedding, should be a hoot!

Tanja87

Is it really that risky carrying cash? I've got a credit card but never even used it I do t think...
Hmmmm, might have a think about the rodeo... Watched some videos on YouTube and I do wonder if it would just freak out our little girl. I'm sure she'd love to see Cowboys/-girls performing tricks and maybe even the clowns etc but the actual bull riding looks a bit "heavy" iykwim... I guess we'll just play it by ear if we do go - we can always leave if they hate it lol

petitefrancaise

It's no more dangerous to use cash here than it is in the UK. It is slightly more inconvenient when paying for petrol - you might want to use your credit card there. Like anywhere, be careful showing that you have cash on you. Keep a smallish amount in your purse and replenish from an envelope when you have privacy.

I needed to watch my grocery budget very carefully for a while and I used cash without any problem at all.

My daughters and I got some free tickets to a rodeo near us in Austin, they'd never been so we went. It was OK, a couple of hours entertainment. The kids and goats was cute. Barrel chasing was amusing (that's the women on horses and they were good) the men trying to catch the bulls was disappointing - they were surprisingly bad at it! The horses/cattle looked fine and in good shape and it was an OK evening. Not sure if I'd pay to go again though.

Pulaski

Er, quite. I wouldn't usually carry more than even £40 cash on me in the UK. ..... Using a card is as easy, or easier, than using cash on almost all occasions, and if your card is stolen you are protected. If you lose cash, it's gone. ..... Losing a card while on holiday would be inconvenient (having one each, and a back-up in the hotel safe would be sensible), losing your cash stash could ruin things.

petitefrancaise

Using a foreign issued card for all transactions can mean the charges mount up to a considerable amount. If your card charges you a minimum fee no matter how small the transaction then it makes sense to use cash for smaller purchases. If it is always a % up to a certain amount then it may not make so much sense. Exchange rates are usually pretty poor too so it may end up being a double whammy for using the card. Find out how much it costs to withdraw cash from a cash machine too.

IIRC Pulaski doesn't even use a debit card in the US, so his usage/risk tolerance may not be the same as others.

Pulaski

That's true - but using cash is not a zero, or even low cost alternative - you'll likely get hosed on the cost of exchanging cash, and double-whammied using most US ATMs because there is a fixed fee from the ATM owner on top of any fee your bank may charge - leaving you to pull several hundred dollars to avoid the costs associated with multiple ATM withdrawals.

There isn't a perfect, low cost answer, but if you've just spent £3,000 on airline tickets, another £1,000 on accommodation, and £1,000 on food, restauants, and entertainment, I am not sure that scrimping and saving over £3/$3 transaction fees is a productive use of your time or nervous energy.

And yes, PF is correct (on this point ) I don't even HAVE a debit card for my personal current account. But maybe if PF had lost a significant amount of cash in a holiday robbery then she would be advocating for pretty much any alternative to carrying cash.

Jerseygirl

My sister brings very little cash to the US. She has a UK credit card that doesn't charge a fee when used outside the UK. Likewise we take very little cash when travelling outside North America. Our Chase credit card is the same...we don't incur charges when it is used outside the US.

I agree with Pulaski...plastic is preferable to paper money.

petitefrancaise

that's why I recommended to check the details for their cards. My Chase card offers the same but the exchange rate left a bit to be desired as I found out when I got back.

OP, since this is a visit prior to relocation then ask how they want the daily expenses dealt with. Best way if possible is to put as much of the reimbursed expenses on the company credit card.

petitefrancaise

Just for my own interest...

Barclaycard and First Direct Visa will both charge 2.99% on all non-sterling transactions. First Direct had a £3 minimum transaction fee for cash machines.

Using the Visa European processing site (linked to from First Direct Visa) https://www.visaeurope.com/making-pa...exchange-rates
Spending $100 would cost you £80.07 at today's rate and including the 2.99% fee.

Using Travelex at the airport to get cash $100 would cost you £69.84.

Both Barclaycard and First Direct visa wrote on their sites that the 2.99% transaction fees are waived only if you have a promotional offer on the credit card. The details for foreign transactions can be found on the back of the statements apparently.