Hello
Guest

Sponsored Links


Topic: Best way to travel with US$3000  (Read 772 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

  • *
  • Posts: 116

  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: Mar 2009
  • Location: Houston, TX
Best way to travel with US$3000
« on: July 15, 2009, 07:15:44 PM »
So I figure I'll need about $3000 to get me started my first couple of weeks to a month in the UK,  since I don't get my first paycheck almost the end of August. The rest of my money can be wired over once I secure a bank account.

What is the best way to travel with that much money? How did you travel with money when you were on your way to the UK to live?
5/22/09: Completed and submitted online application for UK Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer
5/26/09: Biometrics done
6/1/09: Visa application package sent to courier in LA next day air.
6/2/09: Application received by courier, and reviewed.
6/3/09: Submitted to consulate in the AM
6/3/09: Courier called in the PM to let me know the visa was approved!
7/31/09: Leaving for London to arrive the morning of 8/1


Re: Best way to travel with US$3000
« Reply #1 on: July 15, 2009, 07:22:20 PM »
I'd leave it in my US Bank account & use my Visa Debit Card or...I'd get a prepaid credit/debit card.


  • *
  • Posts: 13025

  • Liked: 4
  • Joined: Oct 2005
  • Location: Washington DC
Re: Best way to travel with US$3000
« Reply #2 on: July 15, 2009, 07:34:08 PM »
Yep, I'd leave it in the US and take it out from ATMs.


  • *
  • Banned
  • Posts: 2515

    • Becca Jane St Clair
  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: Jun 2008
  • Location: Lancaster, PA to Lincoln, UK
Re: Best way to travel with US$3000
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2009, 07:40:25 PM »
Ditto that.  I'd carry maybe £200 with me in case I needed any cash straight away, but everything else I'd leave in the bank. 

If you absolutely must travel with cash, I'd split the $3k into smaller amounts and hide it in my carry-ons.  Whatever you do, don't put your cash in your checked luggage. 

http://blog.beccajanestclair.com

Met Tim Online: 2004 ~ Met IRL in the US: 6/2005
Engaged: 23/09/2009 ~ Married:  05/11/2009
Biometrics Submitted: 28/12/2009 ~ Spousal Visa Application Submitted: 12/31/2009
Spousal Visa Issued: 31/12/2009 ~ Move Date: 21/1/2010


  • *
  • Posts: 116

  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: Mar 2009
  • Location: Houston, TX
Re: Best way to travel with US$3000
« Reply #4 on: July 22, 2009, 11:04:08 PM »
Yep, I'd leave it in the US and take it out from ATMs.

Does your US daily limit count over there, or is it different? Because at $300/day it would take me ten days to get that money out and I need it to pay deposit/first months rent on whatever flat I end up getting.
5/22/09: Completed and submitted online application for UK Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer
5/26/09: Biometrics done
6/1/09: Visa application package sent to courier in LA next day air.
6/2/09: Application received by courier, and reviewed.
6/3/09: Submitted to consulate in the AM
6/3/09: Courier called in the PM to let me know the visa was approved!
7/31/09: Leaving for London to arrive the morning of 8/1


  • *
  • Posts: 1674

  • Liked: 5
  • Joined: Jul 2004
  • Location: Asia, but coming back to London
Re: Best way to travel with US$3000
« Reply #5 on: July 22, 2009, 11:21:45 PM »
It isn't unusual to pay deposit and such on a credit card, or do a wire transfer.  When I moved, I used a combo of ATM, credit card and eventually wire.  I would NOT carry $3k.


  • *
  • Posts: 13025

  • Liked: 4
  • Joined: Oct 2005
  • Location: Washington DC
Re: Best way to travel with US$3000
« Reply #6 on: July 22, 2009, 11:25:00 PM »
Does your US daily limit count over there, or is it different? Because at $300/day it would take me ten days to get that money out and I need it to pay deposit/first months rent on whatever flat I end up getting.

There is a daily limit, but I can't remember how high it is (if it stays the same or is higher in the UK).  I remember using two different accounts to do it (my checking and savings).  Or bring some cash over to change at the airport and do the rest at ATMs.  I do remember going daily to the ATM to get the money for our flat deposit, which was about 1800 pounds.


Re: Best way to travel with US$3000
« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2009, 12:06:36 AM »


If you bring money over from the US and need to exchange it for pounds, if possible, I would go to Marks and Spencer rather than the airport since M&S will give you a much better exchange rate. (I found them to be the best when it came to exchanging money on the High Street).

That said, Thomas Cook (travel agency) on a lot of High Streets is also better than the airport.


  • *
  • Posts: 13025

  • Liked: 4
  • Joined: Oct 2005
  • Location: Washington DC
Re: Best way to travel with US$3000
« Reply #8 on: July 23, 2009, 12:11:21 AM »
Yeah, sorry, I didn't mean 'at the airport' specifically - I just meant change it somewhere.  Thanks, Jules.


  • *
  • Posts: 155

  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: Jun 2009
  • Location: Sheffield
Re: Best way to travel with US$3000
« Reply #9 on: July 23, 2009, 07:13:57 AM »
Be careful putting things on your Visa, I called my Visa company and they told me they would take the exchange rate that was most advantageous to them over the 7 day period and then charge 3% of the total as a service fee for the conversion.  On larger purchases that really adds up.
Moved from Chicago to Sheffield Aug. 2009


Sponsored Links