Cash (which type), debit or credit cards?

Ray,

I'd suggest a combination of Euro cash, Debit/ATM card (to replenish cash when needed) and at least one credit card. As previous replies mentioned, using US currency is also not a good idea, as you'll often receive dreadful exchange rates. ATM's are by far the easiest and least expensive method to obtain cash.

I'd highly recommend carrying a minimum of two ATM cards on different accounts. Note that travel funds must usually be in a chequing account with a four-number PIN.

I WOULD NOT suggest using an American Express credit card, as they're not widely accepted. Visa and/or MasterCard are the best credit cards to use (I normally travel with both).

Prior to travelling, be sure to notify your financial institution that you'll be in Europe so they don't "freeze" your card when they notice activity in a different area. Also, you may want to review your daily withdrawal limits.

Happy travels!

Do you use US currency in Edmonton? You will find very few merchants that accept anything but the euro in Germany, and the rapidly diminishing few that do will give you a huge mark-up. North American debit cards usually work in most ATMs. Can't comment about AMEX, but most businesses that cater to tourists will accept Visa.

We use Mastercard for most rooms and euros for all else. Some small, less-expensive hotels will only take cash. Your selection of restaurants is also greater if you carry cash. Germany is a more cash oriented society that the US.

In addition to the above, don't forget that a debit card is a direct connection to your bank account. You aren't protected in case of fraud; you are more protected when you use a credit card. Therefore a debit card is needed for withdrawing cash from an ATM, but you might want a credit card for purchases.

Actually, under current US law, debit and credit card users have equal protection from fraudulent activity on the accounts: once you report it, you aren't liable for anything, and your maximum pre-report liability is $50. Most issuing banks waive even that. The problem with debit cards arises if the fraud isn't discovered and another debit or automatic payment happens in the meantime and you don't have sufficient funds to cover it. Then the later debit or bill becomes a bounced check, with all of the fees that a bounced check would have. Once you discover and report the fraudulent use, you're covered and they won't let subsequent charges create bounced check fees. The OP is Canadian, so he needs to look into Canadian consumer credit laws.

Ray, like everyone else, I have a debit for getting cash while in Europe and I carry a Visa credit card that use for larger items and hotels when it is accepted. I take some Euros (or pounds) with me. I want enough cash to get me first hotel just in case the ATMs are down. I find it less stressful and is worth the additional cost which is not much for $50-$100 of Euros. ; ) Pam

One caution about American Express: Be sure to carry another credit card, just in case AMEX says "NO" when you try to pay the tab. And be sure to alert your bank and card companies of your plans. I had prepaid (back in March) 3 hotels in Austria and Hungary and 1 day of a 5-day stay at a hotel in Salzburg. When the hotel in Salzburg attempted to bill AMEX in September for 4 days' lodging, AMEX balked. I paid with Mastercard. AMEX later told me it did not know why it balked, and apologized, but that was small comfort!