I think it depends on the country that you are going to. Some countries are very happy to use plastic for every single transaction and you feel a little odd handing over cash (I'm looking at you Norway). Usually I will have some euros knocking about, but if not, ATM at the airport is easy enough - either before take off or when I land. For other currencies, I wait til I get there and use the ATM.
Norway's looking back at you, England! Seriously. We all freak out when we travel to "civilized" cash-using countries. That, combined with the cost of living, leads to some embarrassing situations.
The the first night my boss and I were in Oxford, I went to the bar to get us each a pint and handed them my card: "There's a £10 minimum." "Oh, no, I'm paying for both!" "That's £8." "uh... Let me just go get my wallet from the table..."
I think it depends on the country that you are going to. Some countries are very happy to use plastic for every single transaction and you feel a little odd handing over cash (I'm looking at you Norway). Usually I will have some euros knocking about, but if not, ATM at the airport is easy enough - either before take off or when I land. For other currencies, I wait til I get there and use the ATM.
Norway's looking back at you, England! Seriously. We all freak out when we travel to "civilized" cash-using countries. That, combined with the cost of living, leads to some embarrassing situations.
The the first night my boss and I were in Oxford, I went to the bar to get us each a pint and handed them my card: "There's a £10 minimum." "Oh, no, I'm paying for both!" "That's £8." "uh... Let me just go get my wallet from the table..."
You left your wallet on the table?? Surprised it was still there. Yeah England is a tad backwards, when I first moved here you actually still SIGNED when you used your card. I'd forgotten to sign my card (it was a new one) and the cashier asked me to sign the back of the card then she checked it against the transaction I just signed for. Top security there.
Norway's looking back at you, England! Seriously. We all freak out when we travel to "civilized" cash-using countries. That, combined with the cost of living, leads to some embarrassing situations.
The the first night my boss and I were in Oxford, I went to the bar to get us each a pint and handed them my card: "There's a £10 minimum." "Oh, no, I'm paying for both!" "That's £8." "uh... Let me just go get my wallet from the table..."
You left your wallet on the table?? Surprised it was still there. Yeah England is a tad backwards, when I first moved here you actually still SIGNED when you used your card. I'd forgotten to sign my card (it was a new one) and the cashier asked me to sign the back of the card then she checked it against the transaction I just signed for. Top security there.
LOL! My boss may be a jerk sometimes, but he's not that bad!
You left your wallet on the table?? Surprised it was still there. Yeah England is a tad backwards, when I first moved here you actually still SIGNED when you used your card. I'd forgotten to sign my card (it was a new one) and the cashier asked me to sign the back of the card then she checked it against the transaction I just signed for. Top security there.
LOL! My boss may be a jerk sometimes, but he's not that bad!
Oh I wasn't thinking of your boss. More that you were in England. (I live here, I can say that kind of thing.)
Ac ouple weeks before our Europe trip we ordered 200 euros through H's mom. She works for a large bank and got us her employee discount.
While actually in Paris, Stuttgart, and Prague (koruna) we just got cash at the ATM. It's a much better rate even with the $1 out-of-network ATM fee our bank charges. Oh and if you see an option for "currency conversion" do not select it.
Ac ouple weeks before our Europe trip we ordered 200 euros through H's mom. She works for a large bank and got us her employee discount.
While actually in Paris, Stuttgart, and Prague (koruna) we just got cash at the ATM. It's a much better rate even with the $1 out-of-network ATM fee our bank charges. Oh and if you see an option for "currency conversion" do not select it.
Thanks, I totally would have selected that.
Oh yeah -- don't convert (at the ATM or with credit card purchases)! It is a rip off.
Ac ouple weeks before our Europe trip we ordered 200 euros through H's mom. She works for a large bank and got us her employee discount.
While actually in Paris, Stuttgart, and Prague (koruna) we just got cash at the ATM. It's a much better rate even with the $1 out-of-network ATM fee our bank charges. Oh and if you see an option for "currency conversion" do not select it.
Thanks, I totally would have selected that.
We did once with a small transaction and afterwards we were like...wait, that's not right. Live and learn.