Money abroad

[PeachesMcLean]

Does one use Travellers Cheques these days?? We're going to Italy.

I've got a Cirrus / Maestro card thing and will check out with my bank that there are cashpoints where we're going - do you have to do that?? - aren't they everywhere these days?

That combined with a Mastercard?

I guess we just have to get some euros before we go. We can do that at any travel agent, can't we?

Haven't been out of the UK for years. Is there anything I should think about? TIA.

Think if it has the mastercard sybol it can be used to draw cash at machines or make purchases.

I use my current account as the card has the Visa symbol, wouldn't even occur to me to get travel checks now. So I draw money or use it like a Visa card for purchases even though it is a debit card.

No need for travellers cheques, you will be able to use your cards everywhere aswell as drawing out of cashpoints. Whenever I used TC in the past, I was usually greeted with blank(ish) stares and irate customers behind me.

I think most banks do charge for taking money out abroad - but I know Nationwide current account doesn't. Worked brilliantly for us on 6 mth trip. Also had a few trav cheques as back up in case cards got knicked/wouldn't swipe.
Have a fab time!

Ah - think i meant nicked. Clearly thinking of knickers. Minimal brain cell function today. Sorry!