Solo traveler
Aug 19th, 2018, 11:50 AM
#21
Join Date: May 2007
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>>I understand I must obtain Euros & Great Britain Pounds before entering Europe,>>
As others have stated it is not necessary anymore. In fact, I was in London a year ago and didn't even bother to get pounds from the ATM machines. I was able to make every purchase using my Visa (Chase) card. The one thing you have to remember when paying with a credit card is to tell them you don't want them to make the currency conversion to dollars for you - they will charge you exorbitant fees. Instead pay the bill in the country currency (pounds or euros) and then your bank will make the conversion (usually the cheapest rate) when they bill you.
Another thing is do not use your credit card to get money out of the ATM machine. You will be charged high fees and the money will be considered a loan and interest will begin to accumulate from the moment your receive the money until it is charged on your monthly bill.
To use an ATM machine overseas make sure you speak to your bank about using the foreign ATM machine using a US debt card that is a partner to the bank in the foreign country - like Barclay's, for example, in England or Parabis (I think) in France.
As others have stated it is not necessary anymore. In fact, I was in London a year ago and didn't even bother to get pounds from the ATM machines. I was able to make every purchase using my Visa (Chase) card. The one thing you have to remember when paying with a credit card is to tell them you don't want them to make the currency conversion to dollars for you - they will charge you exorbitant fees. Instead pay the bill in the country currency (pounds or euros) and then your bank will make the conversion (usually the cheapest rate) when they bill you.
Another thing is do not use your credit card to get money out of the ATM machine. You will be charged high fees and the money will be considered a loan and interest will begin to accumulate from the moment your receive the money until it is charged on your monthly bill.
To use an ATM machine overseas make sure you speak to your bank about using the foreign ATM machine using a US debt card that is a partner to the bank in the foreign country - like Barclay's, for example, in England or Parabis (I think) in France.
