[MVEED3]

I usually plan ahead and draw a healthy amount before departing the US as a reserve. Most purchases are on a CC without FTF.

The biggest problem I ran into was trying to use CC at a gas pump after hours (no attendant). This was in Tel Aviv and I can't read Hebrew.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by MVEED3

I usually plan ahead and draw a healthy amount before departing the US as a reserve. Most purchases are on a CC without FTF.

The biggest problem I ran into was trying to use CC at a gas pump after hours (no attendant). This was in Tel Aviv and I can't read Hebrew.

My experience has been identical to this. I take like $500 in local currency but CCs worked everywhere except at automated machines (gas, trains, etc). The unfortunate part of that equation is that these are the times I need it to work the most.

I actually have like 80 euro in my wallet from my last trip. I keep it there because you never know what kind of weekend you'll have. It doubles as a currency hedge.

[jtodd_fl]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

Went to Europe recently, I made a big mistake exchanging at the airport. Literally got raped.
What I've noticed is if I go to a atm machine in a foregin country, my bank actually give me a more favorable rate with no exchange fees.

Wait. You literally got raped. I'll say you made a mistake! That is not normal.

[brianeck]

Honestly as noted prior, take money out of the ATM upon arrival. . . If you want to keep a US Dollar reserve for emergencies go for it - but don't go exchanging it for a shopping trip. You only get hit for a minimal fee in most foreign ATMs - think $5 tops. Take out $500 and that's 1%. That is a hell of a lot better than whatever rate you're getting anywhere else.

I travel to 12-15 countries a year for work and have tried every method. I also don't keep a US emergency reserve anymore (short of $100 or so which is likely in my wallet upon departure).

[R3dliner]

Originally Posted by jtodd_fl

Wait. You literally got raped. I'll say you made a mistake! That is not normal.

Why you on my d*ck? 1st time from you I laughed it off. Hop the fk off

[jtodd_fl]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

Why you on my d*ck? 1st time from you I laughed it off. Hop the fk off

Wait... was there another time. Sorry. It's not you, it's me.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by jtodd_fl

What better place! Hopefully your luggage trolley doesn't have a bad diff, HPFP, rod bearings or, heaven forbid, wheels that are 1.5 PSI low! Then you could really get going in here!

Since you invited extended whining...we booked the Heathrow Hilton as it is "right at the airport." Well, sort of. If you arrive in Terminal 3, it's only about 2 miles of walking to get to the Hilton. (Yes, that's an exaggeration for the sole purpose of whining in OT.) My pedometer says a smidge over 3000 steps from baggage claim to front desk. There's a subway ride in there, too. We hit the runway just minutes after 10PM and got to the Hilton at 11:30PM. Customs was a breeze, but the bags took an eternity to show up on the carousel.

On the up side, the restaurant was still open and even though it's nearly midnight here, my Midwest-tuned internal clock says it's dinner time. Had some really good fish & chips and a tasty porter.

[Aatish]

Originally Posted by M_Six

On the other hand, we checked bags and were thru the TSA Pre line in 15 minutes. At O'Hare, no less.

Terminal 5? That's fast as f.