What is the best way to get the best value for money for your currency?

Question

I am going on holiday in a few weeks time an I wondered if anyone know how I can get the most for my money? If I take just euros and then bring some back I end up losing a lot of money when I exchange them. If I use my debit card to pay for things over there, the bank sneaks a commision rate on, which I dont find out about until I get my statment through the post. Does the same commsion rate con still apply to credit cards, would I be charged a cash handling fee? So am I right in thinking it is best to take mostly euros and then use an ATM only once whilst in France so I only get charged once Or is there a charge free way? Thank you in advance

Answer 1

Take a relative small amount of Euros with you, like what you will need in three days, (I mostly take about 300 Euro,) and take a credit card and a debit card.
Use your credit card for any big amount, like hotels, expensive dinners (if you pay for a group) and emergencies.
Use your debit card for cash withdrawals.
And take some of your own money (Pounds/dollars?) for emergencies and when you come home. You will find that all big hotels, hostels and most shops will accept the main currencies in case the machines do not work for you. (If at a rate that is worse for you.)
And before you travel, ask your card companies what they charge, it should be on their websites, otherwise call them.
My credit card charges nothing for paying but quite a lot for cash withdrawals, but my debit card does not charge for withdrawals at all.

Do not get all the money you need at once, that is the way to get robbed, or loose it.
If your cards charge you, mostly it is a percentage, not a fixed amount, or a token-fee, just to cover costs.
You might try a different credit card company if they charge outrageous, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted and normally without extra charge.

Answer 2

Go to AAA. You can get a euro card which you can use to make cash withdrawals from an ATM machine. You will not be charged any fees and you will receive the day's currency.