I'm not sure if this has been posted prior to now, but wanted to share it with everyone because to me it's such a good idea.
Have you ever wanted to purchase something in USD over the internet and had to either wire transfer, paypal, or by other means - transfer money to a US bank account as the company didn't accept credit cards outside the US?
Then I think I have a really great solution!
The American Express Travellers Cheque Card.
It is a prepaid card that is available in three currencies, GBP, EUR, and USD.
For a £15.00 one time setup fee, you can purchase this card as I did in USD, the card is valid for three years, and reloading it does not incur any service or currency fees.
Let's say you are travelling in the US and need dollars, but don't want to go to the ATM as they charge a Currency Fee & Transaction Fee. Just go to
www.americanexpress.co.uk/travellerschequecard and reload your prepaid card. You can reload it with a UK Debit card, or Credit Card - which ever you prefer.
At the time of the transaction, the current currency exchange rate (-0.06 USD Cents difference on the dollar). Twenty minutes later, go shopping!
For Valentines Day, I wanted to purchase a new notebook PC for my wife. Checked them out on-line and all the companies wanted a US Credit/Debit card. I transferred what I needed over to American Express and used the prepaid card to make the purchase, in the end I saved £350.00 vs. buying it here.
I have a colleague that wants to transfer money to his US checking account for bills and such. He opened an additional card with his Mom's name on it (Himself as the primary account holder), she simply goes to the ATM right outside the bank and for a $2.50 service fee, takes out the money, then goes inside the bank and deposits it into his checking account. If something goes wrong, he can simply cancel the card and they mail you another, while refunding your money within 24 hours.
I'm lovin the idea of purchasing things in the US and paying for it in GBP.
Hope this helps, it has helped me or I wouldn't have highly recommended it.
Best of Luck!
