<p>Both of my sons will be making separate trips to Europe this summer. One for 8 days and the other for 14 days. I’m trying to figure out what is the best form of payment to send with them - US dollars, traveler’s checks, Euros, credit card or a combination of these? One son will also be in Egypt for 3 days so the answer may be different than what he will need in Europe?</p>
<p>I also am interested if they should take an international calling card or if there is some type of reasonable alternative through our cell carrier (Verizon). The phone would basically be for emergency purposes. I don’t anticipate spending time chatting with them while they are there.</p>
<p>Any suggestions and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Re: money – D spent last spring semester abroad in 4 different countries (Switzerland, India, China, & So. Africa). She had a AAA Money Card. I could check the balance online, and run over to my local AAA office to add money when needed. She used it for store purchases and at ATMs to get cash. There was an initial card fee of $4.95, and foreign exchange fees, but no charge to add more money. We were very pleased with how it worked. She also had a Visa card in her name attached to our account, but that was really only for emergencies. </p>
<p>What we worked out for phones probably doesn’t apply to your case, since D was gone for much longer. She took an unlocked cell phone purchased in US and bought a SIM card in each country. Worked like a charm. She would text us as to her availability and then we would call her cell phone using Skype. Very inexpensive.</p>
<p>D is going to spend a semester in Europe next fall, and I am traveling with her before it starts. I decided it was worth it to find a no-fee credit card with no foreign transaction fees, since we would have a lot of foreign expenditures during that time. I got a Schwab credit card (you have to have a Scwab brokerage account, but it also pays 2% rebate back to the brokerage account). And got them to issue a card for D under my account. But given the short timeframe for your kids trips, that might not be worth it (unless you have other overseas travel or semesters abroad ahead).</p>
<p>One word about US credit cards, it is often slow for them to take them in stores in Europe now since they switched to chip & pin technology in their cards. The US has not made this change, so they have to run the US cards through a different machine. Which apparently is a hassle for shopkeepers. As far as I have heard, they are still taking them, just expect a bit of a wait sometimes.</p>
<p>We are planning the same for D’s phone as CBBBlinker, an unlocked phone with a SIM card by country. In fact, D2 (who is only 15 and does not have a phone yet) will use that phone for a trip she is taking in the US this summer (where she is supposed to take a phone), then D2 will take the same phone off to Europe this fall. Probably a bit of a hassle to get a SIM card as they travel, though. Honestly, if my kid were going on some kind of organized trip for only 2 weeks to a foreign country, I probably would not bother with a phone. </p>
<p>When D1 went to Europe for the summer 3 years ago, we got her a phone calling card through something called Tripplus. The setup was a hassle, but it did work okay once she got there. She has to use someone else’s phone, of course (she was staying with a host family, so that worked out). I could watch her balance online, and reload it when it got low. Tripplus also offered some other service; I think we bought insurance from them, we had to have coverage to have her remains sent home in case something happened… a requirement of her study abroad program.</p>
<p>Thanks intparent. We did have a Schwab brokerage account, but switched it to TD Ameritrade a few years back. I will contact them - perhaps they have a similar card. I tend to agree with you about the phone. Since they are traveling in an organized group I assume the adult chaperone will have a way to call us if issues arise.</p>
<p>The only two Visa cards I have found with no foreign txn fees are this Schwab card and Capitol One (but Cap One is stingy about giving out their cards, I applied first and they rejected me… and I have pretty much perfect credit, high income, etc.).</p>
<p>Most people don’t use travelers checks anymore - they use ATM machines which are everywhere in Europe and linked up so you can draw what you need for a few days and then draw more. It’s much better than carrying around a pile of cash that might get stolen. Credit cards are usable in most places as well. Having a CC and an ATM card (or a combo) is the way to go.</p>
<p>Most Verizon phones won’t work in Europe since they’re on a different system. AT&T and T-Mobile phones work there because it’s the same system (GSM). You can check with Verizon to see how much it’d cost for them to provide a GSM compatible phone for a period of time, or you could rent a compatible phone here and bring it with, or they could buy one there when they get there - the kind where they preload the phone with minutes.</p>
<p>Both of my sons have traveled extensively in Europe by themselves. They both leave home with their ATM/Visa card from their own accounts at a very small rural Iowa Bank, a couple dollars and maybe a few Euros if they can scrap them up from their last trip. They get cash with their ATM cards as they need it. They both have a Visa card for emergencies, but in five years neither one of them has ever used the card.</p>
<p>I have Verizon. If you are a Verizon Wireless customer, they have a plan where you can “borrow” an international phone, basically for free. It costs $9.99 for them to ship it to you, and it comes with a pre-paid return label. The only catch is that you have to return it to them within 30 days or there’s a $200 penalty. I can’t remember the usage rates for talk minutes or texts, but it was pretty reasonable if you don’t expect to have long phone calls - just “Hi, we’re here” or “When do you want to meet for dinner?” type calls. And you can keep your same phone number and transfer your contacts into the global phone. We used it in Spain and Germany and it worked like a charm. </p>
<p>As for cash, we’ve bought Euros through AAA (expensive) and through Bank of America. That was cheaper but they need about a week’s notice to get them to your local bank branch. Bank of America is our bank, and DS found out that they are partners with DeutschBank, so he can use DeutschBank ATMs in Europe with no fees (including no foreign transaction fee).</p>
<p>Most VISA cards have foreign transaction fees, they add up faster than you think.</p>
<p>The Verizon phone rental idea would be a good idea, as would just buying a cheap prepaid phone when they get to Europe and switching SIM cards when they need to. Phone cards will also be cheaper to call from Europe to the US if they are bought in Europe. Skype would also be an option for calls home.</p>
<p>In my experience, ATM and credit cards work the best, just watch the foreign transaction and ATM fees. The credit card (Visa or MasterCard) can be used to charge things, but I wouldn’t suggest cash advances. For backup, US Dollars are fine, though they probably won’t be used. Travelers checks are a thing of the past and you get hit for extra fees when cashing them. ATM’s are almost everywhere in Europe, and probably in major areas of Egypt too. For a 3 day trip, your son probably won’t be going to many Egyptian ATM’s. The last time I went to Europe, my parents were trying to convince me to buy it in the US. When I looked at the rates the places were charging, I said no and took a few leftover euros, which I didn’t end up needing until after I went to an ATM in Europe.</p>
<p>US cards often don’t work in the ticket purchase machines at the underground and train stations. You have to get on the line to purchase from a sales clerk. So don’t even bother getting on the (usually much shorter) line at a ticket machine.</p>
<p>Just got back from Barcelona, no one blinked when we handed over our credit card at stores and restaurants. Didn’t try to use it to buy subway tickets though, just used Euros in their ticket machine.</p>
<p>Most people say they don’t have problems with US credit cards, except for some folks who try to use self-serve gas stations without an attendant. As long as there’s an attendant (or human anywhere), you can usually get US credit cards accepted fine. Using the currency of the country works great, if you use your ATM/Debit card to get currency & then may be able to use it for the machines.</p>
<p>Another vote for the AAA money card - our young teenaged son used that twice on European trips with no problems.</p>
<p>AAA also offers “tip packs” in the currency of your choice, we sent a tip pack with him for each of the countries he was visiting. It contains small bills (I think about $100 worth) for the times when cash makes the most sense or, as the name implies, for tips.</p>
<p>My son has traveled twice to Europe. He had AAA money cards and they worked just fine. Also took a Visa debit/ATM card which worked terrific everywhere he went. Like the others, I advise against traveler’s checks. He took some of the destination currency with him. I was surprised, however, how difficult it was to acquire foreign currency in our home town. None of the banks would do it. I finally got the foreign currency at a local travel agency and the exchange rate was not that great. I did not want him to be without some cash when he got off the plane, however, so I was happy to pay to get the cash.</p>
<p>You should read up on pick-pockets and con artists for your proposed destinations. Your boys should not carry their wallet in their pocket if they are going to be in tourist areas.</p>
<p>If they take their regular phones, please know that the call rates are probably going to be very high. You can get an unlocked quad-band phone and buy a sim card at the destination, which would be cheaper rates. The key is the sim card from the country you are going to. If you want, you can order the sim card online and have it before you go. Remember the phone charger, and electrical adapter for European current in whichever country (they are different).</p>
<p>Be sure they have their insurance information, shot record, allergies, etc. accessible, and a copy for someone they are traveling with, in case they have a medical incident. The weirdest thing for my son was finding out that some countries do not have laundry facilities readily available, so be prepared to wash out underwear in the sink.</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for the great information. It is so nice not having to re-create the wheel everytime you experience something new because chances are high that someone on CC has already created it for you!</p>
<p>I would also like to give 2 thumbs up for the AAA money card. My D and I used it in France 3 years ago, and will be using again for our upcoming trip to Germany, Austria & Switzerland. Worked like a charm at all the atm machines we tried, also great for purchases. I like to have a little of the local currency when we arrive, and don’t mind spending a little in service fees for the AAA money pacs. IMO, it is a lot easier to have a bit of pocket cash than to look for an ATM, which tend to have long lines at the airport. Apparently I am one of the lucky few to have a Capital One card, and also used it with no problems or foreign transaction fees in France. BEWARE of phone scams and NEVER call from your hotel room, even if they advertise a low rate. Happy trails!</p>
<p>Thanks - just got off the phone with Capital One and have the account established (it was quick and painless). Our current credit card holder charges a 3% fee so this was a good option. The CapitalOne card APR on cash advances is 24.9% with no grace period so I think I need to check the bank account ATM option now for cash purchases.</p>
<p>momofswimmer -How do you go about converting your AAA money pac left over currency back to USD? Do you handle that in Europe or once you get back to the states?</p>