How much Cash?

I'm not sure if I should put this in here or travel, so apologies if it's in the wrong section!

how much cash should I bring in with me for my 2 month visit?  I *really* don't want to carry around over $1000 on the plane and stuff,and would prefer to only have $500 or so in cash and have the rest available via my visa debit card(s).

Would this be alright if I told the Border Agent I had $500 in cash, but 1k available in my bank account? Should I bring along a bank receipt to show the 1k?

You don't need to bring cash if you don't want.  Have a recent bank statement and use ATM machines, and tell immigration this is what you intend to do.

Have maybe £100 for taxis/food for the first day.


Vicky

Thanks Vicky!

Sadly, my statement date happens to be the 15th of the month, so I'd have to take September's statement..so while it won't have my current exact balance it'll be close enough.

I'm also thinking about getting one of those AAA visa cards. I haven't quite decided yet.

Can you get a print out from the bank?

It is really not a good idea to carry huge amounts of cash. 

Vicky

Can you get a print out from the bank?

It is really not a good idea to carry huge amounts of cash. 

Vicky

I can, but the bank tends to hem and haw about asking for things on official stationary (I used to work for the bank I bank with).  But yeah, I should probably go do that on Tuesday or Wednesday so I can have the most up-to-date information possible. 

Yes,I definitely want to avoid carrying around lots of cash, but I also don't want to be cashless just in case I need cash for something. I shouldn't need taxi money since Tim is picking me up at the airport, but you never know what could happen. 

Exchange rate is $1.72.
Will it go down to $1.00?

Exchange rate is $1.72.
Will it go down to $1.00?

I'm sorry, I seem to have missed your point....

I was a little off the subject. sorry
FYI

I was a little off the subject. sorry
FYI

That's okay. I was just trying to figure out where the exchange rate came into play...I'm not really concerned about it at this point. I know the dollar sucks, but there's really nothing that can be done about it. I'm just glad the pound has gone down a little!

I just read on my bank's website that they charge 2% of your transaction in US Currency for converting to foreign.  I'm trying to decide if it's better to pay the 2% to use an ATM or bring in US cash to convert. 

Carry a bit in traveler's cheques?

Carry a bit in traveler's cheques?

That's what my mom suggested, but you'd still have to convert them at some point to British Pounds, wouldn't you?

I'll bet travellers cheques will cost more than 2% (plus they're a pain to change.)  I don't think you'll beat the ATM rate.

I'll bet travellers cheques will cost more than 2% (plus they're a pain to change.)  I don't think you'll beat the ATM rate.

Can you not buy UK pounds/traveller's cheques commission-free in the US? (or is this service not offered?)

I have changed cash from pounds into dollars and bought US dollar traveller's cheques from Thomas Cook in the UK several times without paying a penny in charges. I don't use ATMs when abroad because I'd get charged for taking the money out and since I've never had to pay anything extra to change money into dollars or to change them back into pounds through a travel agent, I don't want to pay to take it out of a machine.

I'll bet travellers cheques will cost more than 2% (plus they're a pain to change.)  I don't think you'll beat the ATM rate.

That's what I was thinking too...but I emailed my bank, and their website says one thing and their CS people another.  I got this in my email:

Thank you for your recent email.  If you use your Visa®CheckCard to initiate an ATM withdrawal outside the Untied States you will be charged a $5.00 International ATM transaction fee and the Visa International foreign currency exchange rate of 3 % of the amount in US dollars of any transaction you make in foreign currency using your Sovereign Visa CheckCard or ATM card. If you initiate a transaction in a foreign currency with your Visa CheckCard or ATM card, Visa International will convert the transaction into the U.S. dollar amount in accordance with the operating regulations or conversion procedures in effect at the time the transaction is processed.  Currently, those regulations and procedures provide that the currency conversion rate to be used is either (1) a wholesale market rate
or (2) a government-mandated rate in effect one day prior to the processing date.  The currency conversion rate in effect on the processing date may differ from the rate in effect on the transaction date or posting date.

We also recommend that you notify us prior to traveling and we will place a note in your profile this will prevent your transactions from being denied and avoid the possibility of a situation where you have no access to your funds.

If you are traveling outside of the United States, you will need to use an ATM that displays the PLUS, NYCE or STAR symbols, or any merchant that accepts Visa Transactions. To locate an overseas ATM, we recommend that you call 1-800-843-7587.

Which doesn't make any sense, because I was just up in Canada and I only ever got charged .25 for my transactions. AND the information on their website says:

      Additional Information
     What are the fees charged if I use my Sovereign Visa®CheckCard as a Debit card?
     Answer
     

You will not be charged a fee when using your Sovereign Visa®CheckCard to make purchases within the United States. Both the credit and the debit option automatically deduct the funds for the purchase directly from your checking account.

Please note that international purchases are subject to the following fee:

    * 2% of the amount in U.S. dollars of any transaction made in foreign currency using a Sovereign ATM or Visa CheckCard. The fee applies to transactions conducted at an ATM, at a point-of-sale, or via telephone, fax or internet.

So I'm going to print out the webpage and if I get charged $5 plus 3% point out that the website says only 2%.

Can you not buy UK pounds/traveller's cheques commission-free in the US? (or is this service not offered?)

I have changed cash from pounds into dollars and bought US dollar traveller's cheques from Thomas Cook in the UK several times without paying a penny in charges. I don't use ATMs when abroad because I'd get charged for taking the money out and since I've never had to pay anything extra to change money into dollars or to change them back into pounds through a travel agent, I don't want to pay to take it out of a machine.

Not to my knowledge. Maybe you can in the larger cities, but I live in a ruralish area of Central PA.