Obtaining Euros while in Ireland

Deborah, I would NOT recommend exchanging dollars for Euro's at the Airport, as those currency exchange vendors typically have very BAD exchange rates. Using ATM's is the most cost effective way to obtain foreign cash. I can't offer any advice on B of A rates, as I live in Canada. Note that your travel funds must usually be in a chequing account with a four-number PIN. I would highly recommend taking a second ATM card if possible, in case there are any "difficulties" with your primary card. I've had that happen! Also, be sure to notify your Bank that you'll be travelling abroad, or they may "freeze" your card when they detect a change of spending patterns. The same is true of your MasterCard. I'm assuming that you'll only be travelling in the Irish Republic, and not in the north? If you're going to be in Northern Ireland, the currency is Pounds Sterling and not Euro's. Be sure to check the expiry date on your Passport. Cheers!

<<Never give it to your waiter where he'll disappear with your card.>> My experience in Europe is that - unlike in the US - most waiters have those handheld CC-reading devices that they use right at your table.

You will never totally eliminate fees but using a debit card is usually the cheapest way to get local currency. I recommend you don't use a credit card because that will trigger very high interest rates since it's a "cash advance." I have two different bank accounts with debit cards. I make sure I have enough cash in both accounts to safely cover my cash needs on a trip in case something goes wrong with either card. If you don't have two bank accounts, go to a local credit union. Credit unions usually have very low fees and are easy to work with. Credit card theft is common in Europe so I would avoid using a credit card as much as possible. Never give it to your waiter where he'll disappear with your card. I have only used a credit card for car rentals and hotels. Everything else is done with cash.

"Credit card theft is common in Europe so I would avoid using a credit card as much as possible" That's a sweeping statement! I live here, and use a credit card all the time. So do many other people. Theft happens, but to most people very rarely. With the chip and pin system used in Europe, your card never leaves your sight, and often never leaves your hands.

Americans don't have chip and pin cards so that extra protection doesn't apply to us. I've had waiters use the hand-held processor, mostly in northern Europe, but more common is for them to take it in back. I'd avoid using credit cards except for large purchases (hotels, hire cars) and for gifts to ship home. Partly for security, but mostly because Europeans typically seem prefer cash for small purchases - unless it's a large bill of course... No matter if your bank charges you a fee (it will charge something), your best bet will always be to use the ATM. Many people do exchange $100-200 worth in the US before they go, just so they have some cash on hand when they arrive. You'll lose between $5-20 for that convenience depending on the amount and fee rates.

Just on the Credit Cards, I buy virtually everything on the Credit Card, completely safe in my experience, you have the wee machine in front of you where you enter your pin no, card never leaves your sight. Not sure how they work the exchange rates but I'd imagine they are fairly competitive. NEVER EVER CHANGE YOUR MONEY AT DUBLIN AIRPORT (or probably any airport).

Just to clarify, is your Mastercard also your ATM card? Be extra sure you call your bank and find out exactly what you'll get charged for ATM withdrawals - if your bank considers it a "credit card" you face a higher foreign transaction fee (for me, my regular VISA has 3% fee for ATM use, considered a cash advance) than if it is an ATM card (for me, my Visa ATM card has a 1% fee). The only way to know is to talk to a bank rep BEFORE you go to avoid any bad surprises. As others have advised, cash from an ATM is the least costly way to pay for things. And be mindful that in some smaller towns and establishments, a credit card might not be welcome at all.

I noticed the European residents took offense to my comment about minimizing the use of a credit card. US credit cards don't have the chip and a pin is not required when using it. If you have one of our cards, all you need is the account number, the name on the card (sometimes), expiration date and a code on the back of the card. With that, you can pay off Greece's national debt or, at least, pay it up to the credit limit. If your card is used in fraud, you can file a claim against the unauthorized charge. Unfortunately, you may find your card maxed out while on your trip and not able to be used until you can resolve the issues. I've had unauthorized charges on my card (fortunately small) and it may take a few weeks to totally resolve them. Again, this is a question of avoiding an easily avoidable risk. It's no different than the running arguments about whether to use a money-belt or not. I use my credit card freely where I live in the US and I don't wear a money-belt. I do the reverse when traveling (even in the US) because the inconvenience of suddenly being without my credit card, debit card and identification outweighs the trouble of taking the precautions.

Ken, you must have a fair sized limit on the credit card if you can pay off Greece's (or Ireland's) national debt.

Thanks for all of the replies, but I am still a little confused! I guess I should NOT use my credit card for restaurants, small purchases, in smaller towns, etc. because of prevalent theft/fraud? But I SHOULD use my debit card (requires a pin and is linked to my checking account) when I don't want to use cash? And I SHOULD only carry $100-200 dollars at a time, use ATMs to withdraw that cash, and that's about it? Do I have this right?

Deborah - I can tell you how I do it. I use cash for all smaller purchases. I get the cash from local ATM's. I only use a credit card for large purchases - for example a hotel bill or rental car bill. I use my debit card solely for the purpose of obtaining cash at ATM's. I never use it for store purchases at all. The reason I limit its use like that is that, if your debit card gets compromised or stolen, a thief could clean out your underlying checking account.

Sorry for the confusion Deborah, but you will get different opinions here. I doubt credit card fraud/theft is THAT big a deal BUT many of us don't like to take the risk when travelling on vacation and dealing with a fraudulant use is more of a hassle. It's really up to you and you will need to use it on occasion. Also, many small merchants and restaurants don't appreciate them because of the fees so try to use cash if you can. Some hotels give cash discounts even. NEVER use a debit card for purchases. You may be ultimately protected against theft, but in the meantime your entire bank account can be unavailable while it is sorted out. Not as big a deal if at home; very big deal if in Ireland on vacation. For getting cash, your best exchange rate/fee will be to use the ATM. But some people like having local cash on hand when they arrive, just for convenience. But you should withdraw as much cash as you can each time (as long as you know you'll spend it) to minimize withdrawl fees. Hope this helps clear the mud...

Deborah, I do the same as Tom - cash for small purchases (obtained from local ATM), credit card for big expenses, and I never use a debit card for a purchase.

This is what happens when people with diametrically opposed views give advice which is contradictory. The poor OP is now very confused. Clerks in Europe are now conditioned that customers do not want to let their cards out of their control/sight. That is why it is normally the customer who puts the card in the little chip and pin dohickey. If it is a swipe only the clerk will help but most will do it in plain sight, usually on the side of the c&p dohickey. If you are alert you can speak up if they start to do something else. I don't know where the poster got the idea that "Credit card theft is common in Europe" but I would love to see the citation. I'm not certain that it holds water. I like the advice that Nancy gave, just above.

I do what I do in USA, cash for small purchases and lunches, credit card for large purchases and dinners. The new little hand held do-hickeys that waiters bring to your table to swipe your card in Europe and elsewhere, , to my mind, give you much better security using a credit card in Europe than here in USA I do however take two different credit cards with me in case one has problems. (Same as in USA)

If anything, there is probably more credit card fraud in the US than in Europe. The key issue is that if I get a card frozen because of fraud I am in a lot more trouble in Europe than in the US. It is also going to be much harder for me to get it cleared up. I pay for almost everything with cash from an ATM. I use my debit card to get the cash. The credit card is for car rentals and hotels.

I've flown to the Shannon airport twice and they have an ATM machine in the airport. They also have the currency exchange but I've never used it.

Deborah, this is repetitive probably, but we've traveled many places and times in Europe. We use our ATM to get cash, and pay for whatever we can with a credit card that does not charge an overseas fee (Capital One is one of them). We have never had a problem with our credit card, even though it does not have a chip in it. Julia