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Boston, a Bargain Travel Guide
Made famous by Revolutionary events, infamous by cold winters, and both by the World-Series winning Red Sox, Boston has its fair share of reasons to visit. With such a reputation, however, comes high prices, and it has become increasingly difficult...
Saving Money On Travel These Holidays
Holiday travel is expensive! Gas prices are unpredictable, hotel
rates can be high for the peak travel season, and rental cars
are always more pricey than you'd like them to be. Thanks to
online coupons you may find a great deal of savings on the...
Top Travel Reservation Tips For A Stress-Free Trip!
Anyone who wants to enjoy a stress-free trip has to start with
the basic concern of any traveler - how to effectively handle
travel reservations. Below are a number of advice that may help:
- Decide on a travel plan - specific destination,...
Travel Tips For Canada
What to Do Before Traveling to Canada
Generally, when people travel abroad, the incidence of violence,
crimes, and risks do happen. In fact, it happens everywhere
especially when the person is not aware of it. That is why it is
extremely...
Traveling!! U.S. Passport Expediting Services
US Passport renewals. Please be all advice that you all need to renew your passport if you do not have a minimum of six month validity minimum. For more info please call us 800-644-1642 or visit our website. http://www.globalpassport.com About...
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Travelers Checks Versus Debit Cards
My first time overseas, I had to exchange cash in $200 of travelers checks to pay a mountaineering guide who hadn't heard of American Express. The bank charged me $8. During the same trip, I used my debit card at an ATM to get $200 from my checking account. Once home, I saw that the charge for this was one dollar, and that was the last time I used traveler's checks.
Debit And Credit Cards When Traveling
I usually carry a debit card and a credit card when I travel now. I keep them well-hidden in two separate places. If they are stolen, which has never happened yet, they have either zero liability, or a fifty dollar liability limit for any unauthorized charges. Ask your bank or credit card company about this.
When an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) won't take one of the cards for some reason - and this will happen - I use the other card, which usually works fine. Credit cards may be less trouble than debit cards. Your liability could be zero on your stolen debit card, but you probably won't have access to your account until the matter is sorted out.
Of course, on longer trips it's a hassle to pay the credit card bill on time, which isn't a problem with debit cards. Carry both, and on
longer trips you can wait until you're a few weeks from home to use the credit card. That way you'll get there before the bill does.
An important advantage credit and debit cards have over travelers checks, is that when you need the local currency, you'll almost always get a better exchange rate with your cards. Also, the cash you get from the local ATM will truly be accepted everywhere, something even American Express Travelers Checks can't promise.
I have nothing against American Express. Once, when I was robbed in Mexico, they quickly and curtiously replaced my stolen traveler's checks. Also, at times it is appropriate to carry money in several forms, including theirs. However, times change and ATMs are everywhere now, so my policy is : Travelers checks; don't leave home with them. You can take an American Express credit card instead.
About the Author
Steve Gillman hit the road at sixteen, and traveled the U.S. and Mexico alone at 17. Now 40, he travels with his wife Ana, whom he met in Ecuador. To read their stories, tips and travel information, visit: http://www.EverythingAboutTravel.com
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