Cash When Going Abroad

[Faldo]

What strategy do you use when going abroad regarding cash?

Do you take all the cash your going to need in Euros, or draw it out from an ATM whilst abroad?

The reason I ask is that I've read a few posts on here that suggest French ATMs can be a bit tempremental with UK cards, and I can be a bit of a dozy cnut sometimes (I.e leaving wallets on top of petrol pumps etc, in fact on a hol in Gran Canaria a couple of years ago I managed to jump in the pool with 1000 Euros in my pocket!! ).

I think I'd rather take it in cash though. Any suggestions/thoughts/experiences of French/Spanish ATMS?

Cheers
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[Davo]

I usually carry some cash (approximately 250ish euros - i.e. enough for rural petrol stations etc..) the rest of the time I rely on my Nationwide debit card for ATM withdrawals as they don't charge conversion fees.

Also carry a fairly large limit credit card for emergencies, on thing to bare in mind though was the last time I was in France I found the cashier was trying to use the chip, which didn't work as the French system was using a different standard on their domestic chip in pin cards, so I had to tell her to use the magnetic strip.

[Itchy]

ATM including the handling fee gives better exchange rates, though last time I went I kept £100 in cash in an emergency pocket and took 300 Euro split in 3 pockets, and used credit card and cards when I needed more.

The £100 saved me when my cards stopped working South o France
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[barnhatter]

I use cash and credit cards. I change my money before I go into the currency's that I am going to use and use my credit cards as a back up and at some petrol stations.
Changing money and ATM machines can be hard on the road.

[Faldo]

Thanks for the replies. Think I'll take 500 Euros and a couple of cards and use them wherever possible.
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[stinkwheel]

Can't do any harm to let your credit card company/bank know you're off on holiday.

I've heard of them blocking a card if they suddenly find large withdrawals happening in foreign countries.
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[EuropeanNC30R...]

Barclays are particularly great for that, they'll cancel the card even if you've told them you are going abroad.

"Sorry, there's no provision to put a flag on the system, you'll have to wait until we automatically cancel your card, at which point the Spanish-only speaking petrol station attendant will ring up the international telephone number flashing up on his screen to authorise your card" - Barclays

Of course in the real world you get the card handed back to you with a no-worky gesture.

[Faldo]

[TheDonUK]

I exchanged all my cash and carried it in my wallet in a terribly unfashionable bumbag that contained my wallet and passport and stayed on me at all times...

Im with HSBC, before i went i sent a little message through the online banking saying i would be abroard for up to a month, they said no problem we will put a flag up or whatever...


So when i got as far as south of france i used the card to buy a new front tyre, and then withdrew some more euros from a cash manchine in madrid no problems.

Take everything you can (cash/debit/credit cards) and split it up to provide redundency...

[tatters]

Just a note to those traveling in doggy country's its worth carrying a fake wallet with expired/canceled cards and a few small euro notes in it just in case you get mugged as you can hand it over instead of your real one and it prevents corrupt police from seeing how much cash you have on you when you pay a fine/bribe.
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[Faldo]