Results 1 to 4 of 4
  1. #1

    Default Current Accounts, Credit Cards etc.

    Hi,

    I was wondering if anyone could help me determine the best way to manage money on my road trip.
    I'm currently looking at finding a current account with a low abroad withdrawal rate.
    But it will still cost me a lot to withdraw money.

    Any ideas?

    Thanks,
    Simon


    UPDATE:
    I've found a nationwide account called FlexAccount which gives you some great withdrawal and spending rates.
    However i was wondering if anyone knows if i can open an American account so that i wouldn't be spending "abroad"?

    Can foreigners open accounts?
    Last edited by Si737; 08-16-2009 at 09:13 AM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    7,225

    Default

    The answer is.... with great difficulty. Unless you are travelling for a year or more, it simply is not worth the effort.

    During my travels I withdraw at a US atm, from my savings account at home. Because my bank charges me $5 per international transaction, I withdraw the largest amount with which I am comfortable. Most of it goes into one of those pouches which you wear under your clothes. Each day I make sure there is enough in my purse for that day's planned expenditure.

    (Check around at different atm's, because some charge at the US end as well... lot's don't!)

    Or you could just use credit cards everywhere. Upside is, you have a written record of your expenditure. Downside is, some places charge more or don't take cards, and I know that Visa adds a (too large) percentage to every transaction. Other cards probably do too. And then there are the (offensive) organisations which will only accept US issued credit cards.

    Lifey who has never lost a cent

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Joplin MO
    Posts
    10,321

    Default

    You can try using your debit card to buy something at Walmart - and getting up to $100 cash back. There are no US bank fees for doing that. This only works if your debit card has a 4 digit numeric PIN.

  4. #4

    Default

    Well i'm going for 3 months, and the most you can withdraw in england is like £250 so i'd end up going back like 20 times for more.

    Yeah thats a good tip. If i need any quick cash i'll do that.
    Thanks anyway.

Similar Threads

  1. European gear that wouldn't work in US
    By helenkova in forum Gear-Up!
    Replies: 25
    Last Post: 06-06-2009, 05:01 PM
  2. Suggestions for Austin to Niagara Falls
    By SnowTown in forum Planning Summer RoadTrips
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 07-10-2007, 08:21 AM
  3. Londoner needs help with West Coast trip!
    By Jamie_Tucker in forum Spring RoadTrips
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 10-21-2006, 05:17 AM
  4. Credit Cards
    By Badduke in forum Gear-Up!
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 06-01-2006, 07:31 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •