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Post by bob on Feb 11, 2003 22:22:42 GMT -5
I am planning on going to europe this summer with a few of my friends.
Besides credit cards how should i deal wiht money?
How much cash should I carry when I first arrive?
For that matter, how much should I carry while I am travelling?
Do my canadian bank debit cards work overseas?
What is the sur charge?
Traveller cheques a good idea?
WHat should I mainly pay with?
Are there any superior credit cards?
I KNOW THAT WAS A LOT TO SWALLOW BUT IF ANYONE OUT THERE CAN HELP ME IT WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
P.S. I know a lot of these question seem naive and stupid but I really want to be sure about my money.
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Post by Kim on Feb 12, 2003 22:11:17 GMT -5
Here are my answers  (take into consideration that these are just my answers, not THE answers!) Besides credit cards how should i deal with money?By using your ATM card and have some travellers cheques for emergencies only. How much cash should I carry when I first arrive?This is a personal thing, I like the equivalant of around $100 in smaller bills so there is no problem if someone can't change it. For that matter, how much should I carry while I am travelling?Once again, personal thing. Sort of a catch 22. If you take out little amounts, you will be charged more Intl. service fees by your bank. Big amounts, more of a risk if you lose it or it gets stolen. Do my canadian bank debit cards work overseas?Yes, in about 95% of the machines. Keep your money in a chequing account though, some machines in Europe you aren't able to access your savings account. What is the surcharge?Depends on your bank. Phone and ask what the Intl. charge it-it's usually that, plus whatever you pay for using ATM machines not from your bank. Traveller cheques a good idea?For emergency purposes, I don't mind them What should I mainly pay with?Cash-taken from the ATM. Are there any superior credit cards?I don't know about this one-I used a Mastercard and didn't have any problems. I would say go with either of the two big ones (MC and Visa) to be safe. Kim |
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Post by BigRay on Feb 14, 2003 1:17:21 GMT -5
another potentially important tip: many ATMs in Europe will accept your North American bank card, but only if you have a four-digit PIN number. Be sure to check this with your bank before you leave.
Enjoy,
Ray
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Post by Kim on Feb 14, 2003 10:53:10 GMT -5
We ran into a few along the way that we couldn't use ( mostly in places like Greece) but there was always another one right around the corner.
Kim
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Post by nitsansh on Feb 14, 2003 14:35:19 GMT -5
another potentially important tip: many ATMs in Europe will accept your North American bank card, but only if you have a four-digit PIN number. Just curious... how many digits do PIN in North-America have? Ours are allways 4-digits, never seen anything else... |
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Post by BigRay on Feb 15, 2003 1:43:39 GMT -5
Hi guys,
As for "many" ATMs, I guess I should have said "most." I did run into a few, though, that were not on the big networks like Cirrus or Most and therefore didn't work for me. Can't really recall where in Europe, but this did happen to me from time to time. Also happened to me more than once in Morocco.
As Kim says, though, not a problem as there are ATMs everywhere, and you're bound to find one that will work for you.
As for PIN numbers, I think 4-digits is the norm. But I have friends who were given the option to choose a PIN number of any length, and have their phone number as their PIN.
Ray
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(take into consideration that these are just my answers, not THE answers!)
