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30 Mar 2017
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Guelph, Ontario
Posts: 0
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paying expenses in europe
Just curious, When Canadian and Americans are travelling to Europe, I would be interested to know how you convert your money to Euros or Pounds sterling. Do you change at home and take cash, pre-load a credit card, debit as you go or withdraw from an ATM!
What are the safest and most economical ways?
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31 Mar 2017
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Montreal
Posts: 104
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ATM and credit cards. Both will bet you instant cash in ATM machines.
Before you leave, you may want to contact your credit card company and let them know that you're going on a trip to Europe. That way, they won't cancel your credit card thinking it has been hacked when they see it used in a different country. Let them know the kind of expenses you'll be using the credit card for in the event your credit card indeed gets stolen and the thieves try to buy a big ass flat screen TV with it, your credit card carrier will know it's not you... ;-)
Lee
Last edited by Massive Lee; 31 Mar 2017 at 04:27.
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31 Mar 2017
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Bribie Island Australia
Posts: 678
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Check with your bank as to the fees you will be charged as well, often a fee for using another bank's atm and then another fee to convert to local currency. Some of the big banks have reciprocal agreements and you can use atm s fee free.
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31 Mar 2017
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Registered Users
HUBB regular
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Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 42
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American checking in:
Debit: Charles Schwab Investor Checking. No exchange fees, and ATM fees refunded (even in Europe and Africa -- no questions asked). Rate is crappy but not "usurious". No minimums or fees of any kind. Apparently they cut you off after 6 months of abusing the card in travel, but we're in the middle of month 9 and no problems yet. Card works great. We've never used it for anything BUT travel, so we're not leveraging any goodwill with Schwab.
Credit: USAA Platinum Visa and Chase Sapphire both are transaction-charge free like the above. Also crappy rate, but still not "usurious". The heavy metal sapphire card still impresses merchants in banana republics and gets undeserved respect.
All 3 are usually about 3% markup for foreign currency transactions. Since it's the same for small or large purchases, we're happy to use them for everyday nonsense and not worry about it too much. If you were making large purchases, you might do better with a fee card that had a better rate, but I'm not aware of one that would be worth it.
$0.02 (~0.25 ZAR)
- Mike
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1 Apr 2017
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Guelph, Ontario
Posts: 0
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Great suggestions, Thanks Mike, also Roger and Lee, I'm going to check with my Bank on credit card options.
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2 Apr 2017
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Krasnoyarsk, Russia
Posts: 216
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+1 Charles Schwab investor checking.
I have been using it for 3 years of travel now, Africa, Europe and Asia no problems. I'd never heard they cut you off after 6 months of abuse? They've never given me any problems.
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11 Apr 2017
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Devon, UK
Posts: 845
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In the EU credit cards are very widely accepted, including paying for fuel, though not all seem to work in "pay at pump" machines. Bear this in mind and always carry local currency - fortunately the Euro is the currency for the more advanced members of the Union. In some countries (eg France) a lot closes on Sundays so you may find yourself dependent on "pay at pump".
You card company will convert from Euros/whatever to your account currency at rates that IME aren't too bad. Good idea to let them know you're going abroad, of course.
AMEX is less widely accepted due to its high charges to vendors.
Plenty of ATMs around, the place is largely crime free, probably easiest to carry a week's worth of cash with you to cover food and fuel, leave the card for hotels and emergencies.
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
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What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
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Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
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