Holiday to USA how best to take spending money?

[Linnet]

We’re going to Florida in October and I’m not sure what to do about the spending money. The last time we went we took travellers cheques, but they don’t seem to be the way to go any more.

Someone mentioned a pre paid card but I’m not sure about these, there are so many to choose from, which is the best one to get?
are they safe? Are they accepted everywhere?

Or should we just take cash? But then that’s probably not that safe either.

Can any one advise please? How do you take your money? What would you recommend?

Thanks

I second the Revolut card. We use it everytime we go abroad.

You just top it up with a debit card, convert it into the relevant currency and use it like you would your bank card. No fees at all and the app updates instantly so easier to budget and see where your money is going so you know how much you have left constantly.

Then when you come back, just covert it back into pounds if you have anything left I never do and withdraw it back into your bank account.

We used the Monzo card and it's great. Secure and you get the best rate

I thought withdrawing currency from an ATM was the worst thing to do because of the charges?

We take a huge wedge of dollars with us and I use my debit card, but not too much as they charge per transaction.

Ed But if you get the right card, there are no charges. The exchange rate is also better than wherever you get your huge wedge of dollars from and the risk of loss/theft is much lower.

If you lose money, it's almost certainly gone forever, if you lose a credit card, you just phone up and cancel it (take a photo of the card so you have the details - print it out and keep it with the photos you have of your passport, insurance details etc).

Oops yes. My advice completely wrong way round! Pay in local currency with your card.

I don't feel happy going over with loads of cash. In the UK I carry no cash at all!

I just resent the charges. Last year I totted up my debit card charges over a 3 week period (and I had taken a load of cash as usual) and it was slightly obscene.

Nationwide Select credit card is also free of commission charges abroad.

I've been twice with my aunt and brother. I had cash, she had cash and a pre paid card. Was ideal.

@ed just take a better card plenty don’t charge and you get the MasterCard day rate which is about the best.