[Idyllchat] cash

[Russ Crum]

Vicki,

I completely agree with Christine's comments. For ten years now of  
European trips, we have used the ATM's without incident. We do take a  
small stash of US currency just as a backup in case of an ATM problem  
but we have always come home with that since we never had to use it.

I would add one more thing- be sure you inform your bank as to when  
you will be out of the country and which countries you will be using  
your ATM card in. I was told by our bank that failing to do that  
could result in their security systems putting a block on our card  
because abnormal activity would be detected. That would require a  
phone call back to your bank to re-activate your ATM usage. We have  
always informed our bank and not had an issue. The same caveat  
applies to any credit cards you intend to use while in Europe.


Russ Crum
rrcrum at sbcglobal.net

On Nov 21, 2007, at 9:36 , ZBerry at att.net wrote:

> Hi, Vicki --
>
> I'm pretty sure you'll get a lot of replies to this one.  I also  
> think most of them are going to suggest you simply wait until you  
> arrive at Zurich airport and use a bank-affiliated ATM (not a  
> private ATM-- they often charge hefty fees).  When you do that, you  
> just pop in your ATM card and the local currency comes out.  You  
> get a much better rate than changing money any other way.  When you  
> change before you leave, you are at the mercy of whatever exchange  
> rate they want to charge you (and it is never a good rate) plus  
> they add on a service fee.  So you pay plenty for that  
> conveninece.  For the last 7 years I've traveled often all Europe  
> (including your Swiss Heartland Untour, which you are going to  
> absolutely love) and that's how I've changed my money.  Never had a  
> problem -- it's quick and easy.  I also take out the maximum I can  
> for cash at the airport when I first arrive.  Wear the excess money  
> in a security carrier under my cloth es and just keep what I need  
> for the day handier.  Do find out from the issuer of your ATM card  
> how much they will charge for using it in a "foreign" (meaning not  
> one of their own) machine.  Most do charge and that's why it's  
> worth considering taking out the maximum -- it reduces your cost.   
> A lot of little ATM withdrawals can really boost your cost.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Christine in Massachusetts
>
> -------------- Original message from Vicki Morrow  
> <vmorrow at triad.rr.com>: --------------
>
> Good Morning,
>
> When we went to the Swiss Heartland in July 07, we went to the bank  
> before we left and had money changed over to francs...... now, I am  
> not sure if that is such a great idea... I would like to have some  
> updated info regarding the benefit of waiting to get to the airport  
> in Zurich and making the change there...   Thank you
>
>
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