Be Excellent To Each Other

I'm going to Las Vegas in a couple of weeks time and I need to sort my money out..

Since I haven't been abroad for a number of years (and I don't REALLY know what I'm doing) can anyone help me and recommend the best place to get my money changed?

Marks & Spencers is OK.

Use a debit card to withdraw X, then convert the cash into $ as that way you avoid the small charge.

Ring the bank and any credit card to find out the fee and rate structure. Look at rates closely, places that are fee free but with a shitty rate are no good.

I usually go to whichever bureau de change has the best rate (usually Thomas Cook) for cash and use my credit card for bigger purchases. Your mileage may vary.

Also, remember you need photo id for currency exchange if doing it face to face.

I just got one of these to use on trips to the US:

http://www.halifax.co.uk/creditcards/clarity.asp

Seems like a good deal. As per the norm with tehs ethings they ask about 4 questions and give you a ridiculous limit....but if you clear it in full, looks like a really good way to spend abroad.

Very often, the exchange rates on bank/credit card transactions overseas is sufficient to overcome the transaction fee, as forex rates applied by Visa/Mastercard are linked closely to the actual exchange rate, as opposed to currency exchnage which covers a large spread. Therefore you may be better off taking a limited amount of cash and spending on plastic/withdrawing over there. However, don't use cashpoints in casinos which rake about $5 off per use. ATMs in the malls tend to be free though (unless its a casino mall).

Word of note though - UK Banks are very tetchy about using your card in Vegas unless you've warned them you are going there first. And sometimes even if you do, so don't run all your cash down without making sure you can use plastic first, otherwise you may have a delay until they unblock it (2 days in the case of one of our cards, as Nationwide won't unlock outside office hours and they blocked it Friday night UK time - thankfully we had other plastic).

Remember that as part of the fun of US immigration you'll be asked how much money you're carrying. The idea, I suppose, is to ensure you can support yourself during your stay.

Good article pupil!

Thanks for that.. the pre paid card does seem like a good idea at the moment though... I just hope I can get one in time!

For drawing out cash abroad, I have a Nationwide bank account which I pre-load with cash before I go. You can set up the basic cash card account (card can't be used for purchasing stuff, ie not Visa Debit) instantly (no credit check) and they will send you the card within a week. For buying things abroad with a card (and online) I have the Nationwide Credit Card. I can't remember the last time I exchanged cash when going abroad, must be about 10 years ago.

I've got a TravelEx card simply by turning up with proof of ID. Takes about two hours to activate.

I think I'm going to try and get a FairFX card. This seems like a good idea when I'm abroad.

Saves having loads of cash about the place.