International Travel

[ultrarunner]

When I went to Europe in 85, I had only a VISA Card. It was very rare to find a merchant taking VISA, but Mastercard was everywhere. Things have probably changed.

I can't see the appeal to traveling these days. You would have to pay me a lot of money for the hassle. OR pick me up in a helicopter outside my door and take me to a private aircraft and the same at the other end. That's not likely to happen though.

The aircraft would have to have a bathroom, unlike the Cessna Crusader belonging to a friend that I flew in on that same 85 trip.

No Sir! Definitely a home body now. I see all I need (or want) to see on my TV.

MasterCard affiliation with Eurocard was a big plus... only the 5 star establishments and those catering to that clientele accepted Visa, Diners, American Express...

1985 was when I spent most of the year building the cabin in Austria... great experience and learned a lot working with locals...

In Salzburg friends always ask why I drive 5 miles to the city to shop for groceries... simple... that supermarket chain accepts credit cards!... then I get the look and someone will say no wonder Americans are in debt...

 

[fried1765]

MasterCard affiliation with Eurocard was a big plus... only the 5 star establishments and those catering to that clientele accepted Visa, Diners, American Express...

1985 was when I spent most of the year building the cabin in Austria... great experience and learned a lot working with locals...

In Salzburg friends always ask why I drive 5 miles to the city to shop for groceries... simple... that supermarket chain accepts credit cards!... then I get the look and someone will say no wonder Americans are in debt...

I have lived in Europe as well, in days past.
Quote: "no wonder Americans are in debt"
I have 3 credit cards.
One refunds 5% cash on grocery, gas, and drug store charges.
One refunds 3% cash on hardware store (incl. Lowe's & HD), office supply, and restaurant charges.
One refunds 2% cash on everything.
The 2% card has a $65 annual fee, the others have no fee.
I charge EVERYTHING that I possibly can on a card, and pay the full tab each month.
For each calendar year my cash refund total exceeds $1000.
My credit cards PAY ME to use them!
If the Europeans think I have debt because of credit cards, they are making a very incorrect assumption.
BTW: My 2% reward card (VISA) does not charge ANY EXCHANGE fees!

 

[Industrial Toys]

We had a bunch of nice weather in the spring that year, and usually Europe was further ahead. So I landed in freezing temperatures with only a light wardrobe. I froze most of the trip. I guess my point is, be prepared, do your research and homework, don't make assumptions.

Long time ago! Regan was visiting and I still remember all the "Weg Mit Regan" spray painted messages.

 

[ultrarunner]

I have lived in Europe as well, in days past.
Quote: "no wonder Americans are in debt"
I have 3 credit cards.
One refunds 5% cash on grocery, gas, and drug store charges.
One refunds 3% cash on hardware store (incl. Lowe's & HD), office supply, and restaurant charges.
One refunds 2% cash on everything.
The 2% card has a $65 annual fee, the others have no fee.
I charge EVERYTHING that I possibly can on a card, and pay the full tab each month.
For each calendar year my cash refund total exceeds $1000.
My credit cards PAY ME to use them!
If the Europeans think I have debt because of credit cards, they are making a very incorrect assumption.
BTW: My 2% reward card (VISA) does not charge ANY EXCHANGE fees!

Makes for some interesting late night discussions at the Stammtisch....

I get a nice rebate each year and use miles for my trips... Austria was still very much pay as you go... no one used checks or credit cards... a cash society and bills were paid through the bank or post office.

One of the more lively discussions was over Bankruptcy and was constantly being asked about it... if it is true in America a person can live the high life and then file bankruptcy and start over... said I know people that have done it more than once... sometimes over medical bills which is something unknown to them...

Another was buying a Home in California... and then walking away from your mortgage with the only downside is bad credit... explained California is a non-recourse State for purchase money loans...

30 years ago I simply could not use a credit card there... now, with a little planning I can get along nicely with next to no cash...

I put a new tile roof on the house... and put it on my credit card... it was 8500... the roofing company was also a roofing materials dealer and I asked about using my credit card... this is a regular firm in the region... no one had ever put an entire roof on a credit card before I did 10 years ago... they doubted it could be done but I said let's try and the charge went through...

 

[ultrarunner]

We had a bunch of nice weather in the spring that year, and usually Europe was further ahead. So I landed in freezing temperatures with only a light wardrobe. I froze most of the trip. I guess my point is, be prepared, do your research and homework, don't make assumptions.

Long time ago! Regan was visiting and I still remember all the "Weg Mit Regan" spray painted messages.

^^^ It was big deal... I was at the embassy in Salzburg when President Reagan opened it...

It was quite a feeling seeing Air Force 1 parked on the tarmac and being able to be so close... the Salzburg Airport is more like a small regional airport in the States... seeing the motorcade and the president getting off the plane was a real treat...

A few times I used the Embassy to park my car when in the old city.... doubt that could ever happen now... but it was fun back then... plus the Embassy has been closed for sometime.

 

[Jim Shooz]

Thanks.

I will be overseas for 2 months. The travel route includes:
Tahiti, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Qatar, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe.

In NZ and probably Aus too not many people carry cash. Visa and Mastercard are accepted everywhere. Amex not quite so much because of some retailers dont want to pay the higher transaction charges charged by Amex. A lot of transactions are by EFTPOS (Electronic Funds Transaction at Point of Sale) effectively a debit card. My only cash has been a $20 bill in my pocket since early December although I did have to borrow a $2 coin to use a vending machine for a coffee yesterday.:thumbsup:

 

[Redneck in training]

I didn't read any responses so I might repeat what other people said. I used to travel extensively for work. In general credit cards are accepted in any country sane person wants to visit. There are exceptions though but I doubt you would want to go to such country anyway. In example Venezuela.
I don't know where you are going. Following apply to Asia, Middle East, Australia and to some degree Central and South America. When I traveled I bought food at open market and mom and pop places. In my opinion those are safer places to eat than fancy restaurants. My reasoning is they depend on repeated customers. If there is a problem they won't be in business. Never got sick from food in 30 years doing so. They take cash. Therefore have working ATM card. Telephone calls using US phone are very expensive. Unlocked local (dumb) phone including some prepaid minutes usually cost about 20 USD equivalent. In many countries it is worth to buy one. You can recharge minutes online or in any phone shop, gas station or ATM etc. Most hotels have free or cheap internet. If not then the local mobile phone can be used as a hotspot. Get Skype account and prepay it by 10-20 usd. That way you could call phones in the US very cheaply or make computer to computer calls (or video calls) for free.

 

[Paddy]

3Ts,

Is this work or vacation? How old are you? Travel planing is more important than how to pay. Each place will have it's own feel and flavor. Most places I go to, Asia, Europe and Mexico/South America, have plenty of ATM's and accept credit cards. But I only use credit cards at very trusted places. Who knows what happens to your card as they walk away to process it.

I always get about $100 worth of the local currency or more if I'll using taxis a lot. Know the exchange rate and go to the ATM at the airport where you land. Some ATM's are tied with a currency exchange place, avoid due to bad rates. If the ATM asks, "do you want this deducted in USD or the local currency?", always go for local currency because the conversion rate is always lower than your own bank. Even some hotels will have local vs. USD.

Get one of those money clip wallets and carry it in your front pocket with your phone, one pocket! That way in sketchy situations, metro or crowded places, you can keep one hand in your pocket and one hand free. If you see a disturbance on a street, keep walking. Often these are staged to have a bunch of spectators with pockets ready to be picked. Carry only one credit card and small amounts of cash at any one time. I leave the rest of my credit cards/ATM back at the room. Have a copy of your passport in the money clip to meet any local requirements of "ID". A real bummer to loose your passport!

Back to being well planed. Don't try to "figure it out as you go". Google is your friend and just about every question you could think to ask is covered on discussion boards. My wife and I travel in small towns in China after I complete my biz trip. Most would say we are crazy. But if you can write down all the steps it will take to get from point A to B and research it, it is not bad at all. As mentioned, know the exchange rate. When a taxi guy tells you 600 Czech crowns, you need to think , "how much is that?" Have all your hotel details printed out, with a map of the city and it marked. By now you should know from your friend Google, it's about $12 for a taxi to your hotel. If the taxi guy comes back and says $40, walk away. I will not give them a second chance, you they tried to cheat you once! Oh, and always have as close to the exact change as possible.

Take advantage of the front desk. If you are planning to head out and see some sights, get two notes written in the local language; !) please take me to "fill in the blank", 2) take me to the hotel "fill in the blank"

Ask locals for help, most are friendly. Generally I target younger guys that are in business attire. They most likely speak English

If you are spending your $$, take metros or what ever train goes into town.

Flying from city to city. Be aware when your flight departs and lands. Some cheap flight get in late. I prefer mid morning flights getting in during the day light.

 

[jfh28]

first make sure you have a chip card.....magnetic swipes are almost obsolete overseas now.......BUT US chip cards do not have a pin number so the merchant will still need to print out a paper receipt that you will need to sign and not all will have the capability to do that even though they can insert your chip card......generally the smaller the establishment the higher the risk your card will not be accepted........There are some places that can do the swipe but they won't be happy about it and most likely the cashier won't know the procedure.....I was in one chain drug store and the woman swiped my card on her register and it froze the entire computer system in the store......nothing worked and no one could figure out what to do.......not only was the store not happy but neither were any of the customers in line.......moral of the story is you want a supply of local currency on you at all times.......lol......for cash I have found the best rates were through my own bank.....I would use a atm machine one of the overseas banks......not a retail atm but a atm at a bank.......to withdraw cash using my banks atm card.......granted you have to check the systems your card will work on but a little research beforehand will tell you what overseas banks will accept your card......this gave me the best rates and minimal to no surcharges.......also if you are renting a car not all countries will accept your us drivers license and you may need to get an international drivers lic.......AAA is easiest to procure that even if you are not a member.......Jack

 

[3Ts]

My wife and I are both in our late 60's. This trip is part christian mission trip and part vacation. While we are in Africa, we will have an escort for all except about 2 days in Windhoek and 2 days at Victoria Falls. Google earth is really good and street view is even better! I've been amazed at where those google cars have been! So, for the most part (meaning, when we're on our own) We've already been over the route via street view of Google earth. We do have a travel agency we're working with to be sure everything fits properly and gets paid for before we leave so as few as possible requirements for payment. We've got our VISAs for entry into Australia, and the others we'll need we are supposed to be able to get at the port of entry. And I've used the internet to find laundry facilities. It the need for cash that I've not been able to get a handle on, but from what I'm getting, a small amount of USD and some local currency, we should be fine. We have friends and family watching over our place while we're gone so I think we have everything ready. But it's always better to get someone's view who has actually "been there & done that" before.