Geld - Money

Sien Wikivoyage: Valuta vir die redigering van riglyne vir valuta-uitdrukkings.

Inligting oor geld te gebruik word gedek in Inkopies, en die Koop afdeling van bestemmingsgidse. Hierdie artikel bevat algemene inligting oor verkryging geld, in sy verskillende vorme, vir gebruik in baie bestemmings, dikwels met ander geldeenhede as tuis.

Daar is 'n aantal maniere om geld te bekom en te ruil tydens reis. U verhandel altyd onkoste, risiko's en gemak. Ongelukkig het georganiseerde en ander misdadigers talle maniere ontwikkel om u geld te neem. Kredietkaarte het wettige beperkings op hoeveel u aanspreeklik is as u onwettig gebruik word. Debiet- en kitsbankkaarte hou ander risiko's en voordele in. Hierdie artikel bespreek hoe om dit te gebruik, die risiko's daarvan en hoe u geld of kontant kan bekom.

Wisselkoerse

Teken met wisselkoerse in Kazakstan

Valutawissel is soortgelyk aan die aandelemark; baie groot daaglikse veranderinge in tariewe is egter ongewoon. Voordat en terwyl u reis, moet u die relatiewe markwaardes van u tuisgeldeenheid en geldeenhede ken waarheen u reis. Wisselkoerse is beskikbaar deur middel van talle bronne, soos sakennuuskanale, sakeafdelings van koerante, bankwebwerwe, finansieringswebwerwe, valuta-uitruilwebwerwe en gewilde soekenjins soos Google, Yahoo en ander, sal direk in die soekbalk omskakel. U kan ook 'n verskeidenheid programme aflaai of die vooraf geïnstalleerde omskakelingsprogramme wat by sommige slimfone kom, gebruik. Soos hieronder en in die volgende gedeeltes bespreek word, sal die werklike koers wat vir kleinhandelomskakelings gebruik word, dikwels 'n paar persentasiepunte erger wees, aangesien valutastalletjies besighede is en 'n manier moet vind om inkomste te verdien.

Dit is van kritieke belang om te weet of 'n gegewe koers die aantal buitelandse eenhede in u eie geldeenheid is, of andersom. Om dit agteruit te kry, kan 'n baie duur fout. Hierdie fout sal waarskynlik voorkom as albei geldeenhede binne twee of drie keer van mekaar se waarde is. Die beste manier om vermenging te vermy, is om uit te vind of een eenheid valuta op u bestemming die moeite werd is meer of minder as u tuisgeldeenheid. U kan ook aanlyn- en mobiele omskakelinstrumente wat in die vorige paragraaf beskryf word, gebruik vir 'n rowwe leiding. Die Britse pond is byvoorbeeld meer as een Amerikaanse dollar werd, terwyl die Japannese jen veel minder werd is as 'n Amerikaanse dollar. Geldeenhede wat meer werd is, moet 'n koers van meer as een hê - gebruik hierdie vermenigvuldiger. Omgekeerd, geldeenhede wat minder werd is, moet met 'n desimaal begin (byvoorbeeld: 0,2345) - gebruik ook hierdie vermenigvuldiger. As u net die koers in die ander rigting het, sal die wederkerig of omgekeerde sleutel op 'n sakrekenaar (gewoonlik 1 / X) verander dit terug. As u byvoorbeeld die koers van 4.264 het, maar weet dat dit minder werd is as u tuisgeldeenheid, sal die wederkerige sleutel dit weer na 0,2345 oorskakel (ongeveer). As 'n fouttoets moet die twee vorms van die koers wat vermenigvuldig word, gelyk aan een wees (0,9999, 1.0001 of soortgelyk). As u een koers koers en die omgekeerde verkoop, let op die verspreiding hieronder.

Albei vorme van die wisselkoers het 'n doel. Met die vorige voorbeeld ontvang u by aankoms 4.264 eenhede buitelandse valuta vir elke eenheid van u tuisgeldeenheid (minus fooie). By vertrek ontvang u 0,235 eenhede van u tuisgeldeenheid vir elke eenheid oorblywende buitelandse valuta (weer, minus fooie). Vermenigvuldig ook met 0,2345 om buitelandse pryse na u tuisgeldeenheid om te skakel.

By wisselkoerse word 'n "koop" en 'n "verkoopprys" vir u tuisgeldeenheid vertoon. Hoe nader dit aan mekaar (die 'verspreiding' genoem), hoe beter is die transaksie. Die gepubliseerde internasionale markkoerse (slegs beskikbaar vir diegene wat die ekwivalent van US $ miljoen verruil) moet in die middel van die koop- en verkoopsprys wees. Minder gereeld omruilende geldeenhede het waarskynlik 'n groot verspreiding, wat dit baie duur maak om te koop en te verkoop.

Benewens die wisselkoerse by 'n wisselbank, ook let op al die fooie wat gehef word vir enige transaksie. Sommige kan vasgestel word, ander veranderlik en ingebou in die gebruikte koers. Die nettokoste vir valuta-uitruil is dikwels aansienlik hoër as die verkryging van geld per kitsbank (onderhewig aan die fooie van u bank), aangesien die koste vir bankvertellers en kantoorruimte (veral op lughawens) hoër is.

As u geld gaan ruil om inkopies te doen, is die rentekoers die tarief wat die fooie insluit. U kry dit deur die hoeveelheid buitelandse geld wat u kry, te deel deur die bedrag binnelandse geld wat u betaal. Aangesien u nie die sakrekenaar heeltyd wil gebruik nie, is dit 'n goeie idee om 'n rowwe skatting te vind waarmee u met min moeite kan tel. As u in hierdie voorbeeld tot 5 afrond, kan u dit met vyf vermenigvuldig (of deur twee deel en die desimale punt skuif) om 'n konserwatiewe prys in u eie geldeenheid te kry. U verwerp dan enige aanbod wat nie goedkoper is as tuis nie, teen die koers - 15% goedkoper - of gebruik u sakrekenaar vir aanbiedings wat naby kom. As u goed met wiskunde en breuke is, kan u gewoonlik iets vind wat nader daaraan kom.

Kontant

Kontant van regoor die wêreld

Kontant is 'n tradisionele en veelsydige betaalmetode en kan steeds gebruik word om te betaal vir die meeste algemene goedere en dienste wat u benodig tydens reis. Kontant kan egter nie vir alle aankope gebruik word nie. Daar is ook beperkings om geld oor nasionale grense te vervoer of te stuur (sien hieronder).

Vermy aantekeninge van te groot waarde. As u briefie 'n week se salaris werd is, kan min plekke kleingeld bied. As u 'n gebied besoek wat armer is as u eie land, kan slegs verbasend klein note gebruik word. Ook in ryk lande wil klein stalletjies, busse, ens nie groot aantekeninge maak nie. As jy swak speel wanneer bedinging, wil u nie groot note toon as u betaal nie. Op sommige plekke is die geen-verandering truuk is 'n algemene bedrogspul.

Die meeste lande vereis dat u kontant in die plaaslike geldeenheid het. In sommige ontwikkelende lande sal u egter as toeris verwag om 'n harde geldeenheid te gebruik (sien hieronder) eerder as die plaaslike geldeenheid - gewoonlik Amerikaanse dollars of euro's, of 'n plaaslike harde geldeenheid. In sommige toeristegebiede, lughawens, vliegtuie en grensstreke kan u oor die weg kom met enige belangrike geldeenheid of die geldeenheid van die grensland. Dikwels is dit teen 'n ekstra koste ingebou in die wisselkoers. Macau aanvaar Hongkongse dollars feitlik op 'n 1: 1-basis met die pataca, en die verskil is nie waarneembaar vir kleiner transaksies nie. Die verruil van Macau se geld in Hongkongse dollars buite Macau is egter baie duur, selfs nie in Hongkong nie, onmoontlik. Grensoverschrijdende vervoerverwante heffings van Maleisië na Singapoer aanvaar Singapoer-dollars op 'n 1: 1-basis, aangesien die ruil die verkoper bevoordeel. Dit sal nie omgekeerd werk nie.

Kontant kan nie vir alle aankope gebruik word nie. Baie kiosk-gebaseerde transaksies (byvoorbeeld by McDonalds) en mobiele app-transaksies aanvaar nie kontant nie. Die meeste motorhuurondernemings benodig 'n kredietkaart. Belangrike hotelle benodig dikwels 'n kredietkaart of 'n groot kontantverband. As u net kontant het, staan ​​u in die tou vir die toegangskaartjies, terwyl u bure in die ry gespring het en na die masjien is sonder enige tou wat slegs kredietkaarte aanvaar, of die kaartjies aanlyn op pad daarheen gekoop het. Sommige nommerplaat-tol kan slegs met 'n kaart aanlyn betaal word, en daar is geen praktiese metode vir 'n toeris om kontant te betaal nie. Met kontant kan u nie 'n fietsdeel huur nie Washington DC, of vul u vervoerkaart by 'n stasie in Sydney. Belangrike hotelkettings in die Noorde aanvaar nie meer kontantbetalings nie, net soos sommige museums in dieselfde streek. Openbare vervoer stelsels regoor die wêreld - ook in plekke soos Managua - raak heeltemal van kontant ontslae, en moet eerder met 'n pasgemaakte kaart betaal word.

'N Ander nadeel vir kontant is die risiko. As u dit verloor, kan u dit nie terugkry nie, en as iemand agterkom dat u 'n groot bietjie kontant het, word u 'n potensiële teiken vir 'n dief of rower. Sommige verdedigings word bespreek in die sakkies artikel, maar daar is geen volledige verweer nie - om kontant te dra hou altyd 'n risiko in. Reisversekering kan verlies of diefstal van kontant tot 'n sekere waarde dek. As u 'n vervalste briefie kry of 'n verkeerde verandering by 'n onderneming kry, het u gewoonlik min gebruik.

Wanneer u plaaslike geld gebruik, moet u vertroud wees met die basiese notasontwerpe en die veiligheidskenmerke daarvan (watermerke, hologramme, ens.), En let op vervalsings en verouderde geldeenhede. Sorg dat u die wisselkoers nageslaan voordat u met u reis begin, en soek dit van dag tot dag op om te sien of dit baie wissel. As u vergeet het om dit te doen, en 'n rowwe syfer van balke benodig, het lughawens en bankgeldbeurte gewoonlik akkurate (indien soms slegte) wisselkoerse. Onthou: die verskil tussen die koop- en verkoopkoers is hul wins, dus hoe laer dit is, hoe beter is die koers. Dit geld natuurlik nie vir lande met 'n 'amptelike' wisselkoers wat niks met die werklike waarde van hul geldeenheid te doen het nie, of lande met wegholinflasie nie. (Venezuela en Zimbabwe tot 2015 is voorbeelde hiervan.) Banke en geldwisselaars (wat buite 'n kantoor werk, sonder om 'n bietjie kontant uit 'n jassak te flikker) is byna altyd veilig, maar taxibestuurders en kleinhandelaars kan in die versoeking kom om palm nuttelose note af. As u twyfel, moet u onbekende aantekeninge verwerp. Wees ook veral agterdogtig oor groot note, want dit word meer gereeld vervals.

Om kontant te koop by straatverkopers

As u van plan is om u geld oorsee te verander, moet u seker maak dat u note uit u eie geldeenheid saambring slegs in 'n goeie toestand en slegs die mees onlangse (her) ontwerp (tensy dit is regtig nuut). Banke op u bestemming kan nie maklik of goedkoop verslete geldeenhede verruil om te vervang nie, soos dit ook in hul land se eie geldeenheid is. Verslete papiergeld kan gedevalueer word - as dit enigsins aanvaar word. Selfs al is dit in 'n goeie toestand, kan vorige ontwerpe van u geldeenheid moontlik nie aanvaar word nie weens kommerwekkende probleme. As u van plan is om Amerikaanse dollars in die buiteland te gebruik, moet u kennis neem van die spesifieke reekse wat aanvaar word, en neem slegs skerp aantekeninge. As u Amerikaanse dollars verkry om na ander lande as die VSA te neem, moet u die bank of ruil in kennis stel, sodat hulle u nuwer notas van die regte reeks kan gee.

Daar is gewoonlik geen beperking op die bedrag van u eie geldeenheid wat u na of uit 'n ander land kan neem nie. U moet egter bedrae oor 'n sekere waarde verklaar. Gewoonlik ongeveer US $ 10.000 of gelykstaande - maar lees die immigrasievorms aandagtig deur. Sommige lande het beperkings op die hoeveelheid plaaslike geldeenhede wat u uit die land kan saamneem. Kyk na plaaslike gidse.

Waar om kontant te kry of om te ruil

Ruil stand, Tiraspol

Nota: Die situasie wissel in elke land en selfs in elke land. Wat die beste manier is om plaaslike kontant in een land te kry, is nie oral die ideaalste manier nie en andersom. Die onderstaande wenke is die moontlike algemene praktyke. Raadpleeg die toepaslike land- en stadsgidse vir meer inligting.

In baie lande is die beste opsie (gegewe die gemak en tipies goeie wisselkoers) is om gebruik 'n kitsbank in die land van bestemming in plaas daarvan om groot hoeveelhede kontant te ruil. Daar is gewoonlik groter fooie en swakker wisselkoerse verbonde aan die omruiling van kontant met die gebruik van 'n kitsbank (sien die gedeelte hieronder oor kaarte en gebruik van kitsbanke). 'N Uitsondering op hierdie reël is die Asiatiese finansiële middelpunt van Singapoer, waar klein, onafhanklike geldwisselaars dikwels beter tariewe bied as banke of kredietkaartondernemings, veral as groter bedrae omgeruil word.

Geldbeurse werk op die basis van die verkoop van 'n buitelandse valuta teen een koers en teen 'n ander koers. Maak seker dat u die huidige interbank wisselkoers voordat u die huis verlaat. As daar meer mededinging is, sal die tariewe waarskynlik beter wees. Die gemaklikste ruillokasies (soos lughawens, winkelsentrums of groot hotelle) het gewoonlik die laagste tariewe. Kontroleer indien moontlik die verskil (of verspreiding) tussen "ons verkoop" en "ons koop". As dit meer as 10% is, word u beslis afgeruk. Sommige geldwisselaars bied egter nie dieselfde verspreiding aan weerskante van die midrate nie. In 'n toeristegebied kan hulle plaaslike geldeenhede verder van die middelkoers af verkoop as die koop, omdat hulle weet dat die meeste van hul transaksies met toeriste is wat in die plaaslike geldeenheid moet spandeer. Die beste uitruilings kan tot 1,5% van die middelkoers af wees. Kyk ook of daar 'n bykomende vaste kommissie vir elke transaksie is, en neem dit in u berekening. Wees versigtig as u 'n kommissie- of '0% kommissie'-teken teëkom: dit kan beteken dat u buitelandse valuta direk met banke kan ruil. U kan gewoonlik van 'n bank afhanklik wees om nie die beste of slegste tariewe beskikbaar te hê nie. Sommige banke sal u slegs vermaak as u groot bedrae het en / of 'n rekening by hulle of hul filiale in u tuisland het, en ander het hul uitruilfunksie aan 'n uitruilburo uitgekontrakteer. Nog 'n nadeel is dat hulle meestal beperkte werksure het, dus is daar geen geluk tydens naweke en vakansies nie. Valutastalletjies wat aan pandjieswinkels gekoppel is, kan die moeite werd wees om teen redelike tariewe te probeer. Sommige instellings benodig identifikasie voordat hulle valuta ruil, veral vir groter bedrae.

In sommige gevalle kan dit beter wees om u geld om te ruil voordat u vertrek, in ander kan dit beter wees om dit op u bestemming te doen. In die algemeen het die minder bekende geldeenhede in die wêreld minder gunstige wisselkoerse buite die land waarin hulle wettig is. In werklikheid kan dit eers omgeskakel word na 'n bekende geldeenheid soos die Amerikaanse dollar voordat dit omgeskakel word. terug in die gasheergeldeenheid ook teen ongunstige koerse. Skakel u tuisgeldeenheid in 'n belangrike geldeenheid (gewoonlik die Amerikaanse dollar) voordat u vertrek, en ruil die hoofgeldeenheid dan in die gasheergeldeenheid wanneer u daar aankom. U het ook meer tyd om voor die vertrek na die beste pryse te kyk. As u die geldwisselaar met die beste tariewe vind, neem u kosbare vakansietyd.

Die meeste belangrikste geldeenhede word deesdae onderwerp aan vervalsing. Bestudeer die aantekeninge van die valuta van die vreemde land om vertroud te raak met hoe dit veronderstel is om te lyk en voel. Byna alle geldeenhede gebruik tegnologie teen vervalsing, insluitend kleurverskuiwende ink, watermerke, spesiale drade, iriserende ink, verhoogde drukwerk, hologramme en ander funksies. Wees vertroud met hulle, sodat u dit vinnig kan nagaan as u 'n nuwe noot kry, of dit nou van wissel van 'n groter noot of van 'n geldwisseling is. As u nie seker is nie, moet u nie bang wees om te sê dat u eerder 'n ander noot wil kry nie, of dat u eerder twee kleiner note vir kleingeld wil kry. (As u byvoorbeeld 'n tien in kleingeld kry wat u nie van die voorkoms hou nie, moet u eerder twee 5's vra.) As u 'n vervalsing kry, word u nie vergoed deur iemand wat dit aan u gegee het nie u, en u sal dit moontlik aan die polisie moet verduidelik.

Swartmark ruil

In sommige lande word die amptelike wisselkoers op 'n heeltemal onredelike of onrealistiese koers vasgestel. In hierdie lande is die swartmark bied 'n baie meer realistiese evaluering van die waarde van die geldeenheid en is feitlik onvermydelik. In 2007 was die amptelike wisselkoers byvoorbeeld 250 Zimbabwe dollar tot die Amerikaanse dollar, terwyl die swartmarkkoers 600,000 bereik het: 1.

Maar, die risiko's van die uitruil van swartmarkte is legio. In die eerste plek is die uitruil van swartmarkte onwettig en beide koper en verkoper kan ernstige sanksies in die gesig staar as hy betrap word: die verkoper kan selfs 'n polisiebeampte wees (of saamwerk) om toeriste te lok. Tweedens, die risiko van bedrog is hoog: u kan verouderde banknote, vals banknote kry, minder as die beloofde bedrag of glad niks. Oorweeg noukeurig of u in die eerste plek moet ruil, aangesien ondernemings in lande met mandjie-valutas dikwels meer as gelukkig is om harde geldeenhede eerder direk te aanvaar (alhoewel dit ook dikwels onwettig is), en u kan alles kry die plaaslike geldeenheid wat u benodig as verandering.

Verander net 'n bietjie op een plek en die res elders, sodat dit minder verlies sal ly as u bedrieg word.

Die belangrikste riglyn vir suksesvolle swartmarktransaksies is om die geld te ontvang voordat u die uwe oorhandig. Tel die note, ondersoek die note noukeurig, vergelyk dit met die wat u reeds het, en, slegs dan, gee u eie geld aan die verkoper oor. Moenie laat hulle toe om die geld wat hulle aan u gegee het, terug te neem, want dit is hier waar verskillende truuks getrek kan word om die wettige bundel met iets heeltemal anders te vervang.

In lande waar buitelandse wisselkoerse redelik is, is dit die beste om die swartmark heeltemal te vermy: u loop die gevaar om hoogstens al u geld te verloor.

'N Uitsondering kan van toepassing wees in lande soos Nepal en Indië waar 'n wettige uitruil by 'n bank kan beteken dat u 'n uur of langer moet mors, maar die meeste hotelle sal onmiddellik en redelik veilig geld vir u verander. Die koers is miskien nie veel beter nie, maar die gemak is wel.

Omskepbare geldeenheid

Die souq (tradisionele mark) van Tunis

A omskepbare geldeenheid is 'n geldeenheid wat maklik in 'n ander land se geldeenheid omgeskakel kan word; omgekeerd, an onomkeerbare geldeenheid is teoreties waardeloos buite sy land van herkoms. 'N Paar lande, soos Kuba, reik steeds een omskepbare geldeenheid vir toeriste uit en een onkeerbare geldeenheid vir plaaslike inwoners. In sommige lande soos Tunisië en Indië, invoer of uitvoer (onomkeerbare) dinars en roepies is verbode, hoewel sulke regulasies selde vir klein hoeveelhede toegepas word. Steeds, vind uit die wette vooraf en volg hulle.

Omskakelbaarheid word deur die wet bepaal en word nie altyd heeltemal in die werklikheid weerspieël nie: sommige geldeenhede soos die Indiër rupee is in teorie onomkeerbaar, maar redelik maklik om in die praktyk te handel, terwyl ander soos die Swazi lilangeni is in die teorie volledig omskepbaar, maar in die grootste deel van die wêreld is dit amper onmoontlik om te verkoop of te koop.

Ondanks die naam kan onomkeerbare geldeenhede dikwels wees gekoop teen 'n afslag buite die land van herkoms, want mense wat hulle vashou, wil daarvan ontslae raak. Soek iemand na koop hulle is moeiliker. Staatsbeheerde winkels in sommige lande sal ook daarop aandring dat toeriste produseer ruilbewyse om te bewys dat hul geld verkry is vanaf 'n wettige bron soos 'n plaaslike bank teen die amptelike (gewoonlik swak) wisselkoers, en sulke sertifikate word ook dikwels vereis as u onnodige geld in die land wil terugbetaal.

As u na 'n land reis met 'n onomkeerbare geldeenheid of een wat u in die praktyk nie in u eie land kan koop of verkoop nie, moet u al u geld in 'n belangrike internasionale geldeenheid omskakel voordat u die land verlaat. Die volgende gelyste geldeenhede word baie aktief op die valutamark verhandel, en as sodanig is dit wyd beskikbaar en kan dit by banke oral in die wêreld verruil word:

• Amerikaanse dollar
• Euro
• Britse pond
• Japannese jen
• Switserse frank
• Kanadese dollar
• Australiese dollar
• Nieu-Seelandse dollar

Die lys is in volgorde van voorkeur, en in werklikheid is die eerste 3 op die lys normaalweg te verruil in selfs die mees afgeleë geldwisselkantoor. Alhoewel dit nie so wydverhandel word soos die agt geldeenhede hierbo nie, is die Chinese Yuan word al hoe meer beskikbaar by geldwisselaars weens China se toenemende status as 'n belangrike ekonomiese moondheid.

Harde geldeenheid

In baie armer lande met inflasionêre, onstabiele en / of onomkeerbare geldeenhede, kan 'n buitelandse harde geldeenheid nuttiger wees as die plaaslike geldeenheid. Alhoewel die waarde daarvan wissel, bly die "goudstandaard" vir geldeenhede die Amerikaanse dollar. Dit kan moontlik deur plaaslike inwoners as betaling aanvaar word, maar nie noodwendig teen 'n goeie wisselkoers nie. In werklikheid is daar verskeie lande in die Karibiese Eilande, die Amerikas en Suidoos-Asië gebruik dit as hul de facto - of selfs amptelike - geldeenheid. Die euro word ook al hoe meer aanvaar, ten minste in streke met baie Europese besoekers, en armer lande met ekonomies magtige buurlande kan ook plaaslike harde geldeenhede aanvaar (soos die Thai baht in Mianmar, Laos en Kambodja, die Australies dollar, of soms die Nieu-Seeland dollar in baie van Oseanië, die Suid Afrikaans rand in suidelike Afrika en die Indiër roepee in Suid-Asië). Sommige geldeenhede het 'n vaste wisselkoers in verhouding tot die euro, die Amerikaanse dollar of 'n ander geldeenheid. Terwyl sommige 1: 1 "vasgepen" is (Panaman balboa tot die Amerikaanse dollar, Falkland pond na die Britse pond), wat uiteindelik uiteindelik beteken dat albei geldeenhede ewe veel aanvaar word, terwyl ander soos die Bosniese omskepbare mark in ander vasgemaak is. wisselkoerse (in hierdie geval 1 euro vir 1,95583 mark) en moet dit waarskynliker omgeruil word. Dit gesê, dit is moeilik om daardie geldeenhede te verruil vir enigiets anders as die geldeenheid waaraan hulle gekoppel is, en soms is dit slegs moontlik in die land waar die geldeenheid wettig betaalbaar is. Hierdie 'pen' het ook 'n neiging om te breek as die regering wat hierdie geld uitreik, opraak met harde euro's, dollars of pond waarmee plaaslike geldeenhede terug kan koop. In 'n neutedop: balboas, Falkland-ponde of Bosniese merke is geneig om niks anders as 'n aandenking te wees as u eers die gebied verlaat waar hulle amptelik is nie.

As nie u land of u land van bestemming 'n wêreldwye bekende geldeenheid gebruik nie, moet u die hardste valuta wat u gereeld ruil op u bestemming neem. Iemand wat byvoorbeeld van Singapoer na Mexiko reis, moet Amerikaanse dollars neem. Alhoewel dit 'n dubbele omskakeling behels, sal dit byna altyd goedkoper wees as 'n enkele omskakeling (dit wil sê die wisselkoers in Mexiko vir Singapoer-dollars, of in Singapoer vir Mexikaanse peso's is waarskynlik verskriklik).

U kan ook harde geldeenhede gebruik as u met plaaslike inwoners onderhandel, deur harde in plaas van plaaslike geldeenhede aan te bied. Gebruik die omskakelingskoers tot u voordeel en doen 'n aanbod in harde valuta. Om 'n paar Amerikaanse dollars in die proses te toon, kan u help om seker te maak dat u slegs wys wat u bereid is om te betaal. As u van plan is om te onderhandel, moet u ook klein briefies beskikbaar hê sodat u nie veel terugskakeling nodig het nie, veral nie as u net 'n prys veel laer beding het nie. U wil nie 'n verkoper 50 vir 'n item ter waarde van 5 gee nie; u sal die verkoper uitnooi om meer goed aan u te probeer verkoop, of, erger nog, die nabygeleë sakkerollers laat weet hoeveel u het.

Dit is verstandig om 'n noodopslag van harde geldeenhede te dra, geskei van al u ander besittings en waardevolle artikels. Sommige ondernemings wat met baie buitelandse toeriste te doen het, aanvaar moontlik ook buitelandse geld, maar byna altyd teen 'n laer wisselkoers om die ongerief moontlik te maak.

Muntstukke

Onder die meeste omstandighede kan u nie muntstukke ruil as u 'n land verlaat het nie. Ruil dit uit voordat u vertrek, gooi dit in 'n liefdadigheidsboks of aandenk dit. As u vertroud raak met munte en geldeenhede vir u land van bestemming en nie muntstukke uit verskillende lande in u beursie of sak meng nie, kan u te veel munte versamel voordat u vertrek. Gebruik dit soveel as moontlik om te betaal (in plaas van note) tydens kontanttransaksies om te voorkom dat u te veel muntstukke ophoop. Sommige lande het muntstukke wat relatief groot is (soos 2 euro, 5) Switsers frank, 2 Kanadese dollars, 500 Japannees jen of 5 Bosnies omskepbare punte), wat raadsaam is om eers te spandeer.

In die VSA, die Verenigde Koninkryk, Ierland en Kanada kan u 'n Coinstar masjien in baie supermarkte. Dit sal enige kleingeld neem en dit omskakel in 'n e-sertifikaat vir sommige winkels of as 'n koopbewys in die winkel waarin u is. Aangesien u 'n bedrag van 10% op die koop-in-winkel-fooi hef, is dit minder gunstig as om bloot die muntstukke self op hul nominale waarde in die winkel, maar dit kan steeds beter wees as om baie munte na u land terug te bring.

Debiet-, krediet-, kitsbank- en voorafbetaalde kaarte

Debietkaarte, kredietkaarte en voorafbetaalde kaarte kan gebruik word om kontant uit te trek outomatiese tellermasjiene (Kitsbanke) betaal restaurante en hotelle en doen aankope waar dit aanvaar word.

Debietkaarte word soms 'tjekkaarte' of 'bankkaarte' genoem, omdat dit geld uit u bankrekening onttrek wanneer u dit gebruik. OTM-kaarte is debietkaarte wat slegs kontant by 'n kitsbank kan onttrek. Dit word op dieselfde manier as 'n debietkaart aan 'n rekening gekoppel, maar met verskillende risiko's. (Sien "Debiet- en OTM-kaarte: risiko's / kompromieë" hieronder.)

Kredietkaarte is nie gekoppel aan 'n rekening met fondse daarin nie, maar word teen 'n kredietlyn gehef om later terugbetaal te word.

Voorafbetaalde kaarte, soms 'reisgeld'-kaarte genoem, is kaarte met gestoorde waarde wat u aanvul en dan aftrek. Hulle kan dikwels 'n aantal verskillende geldeenhede op die kaart hou.

Al hierdie kaarte word gewoonlik met een van die kaarmerke, soos Visa of Mastercard, gemerk. Hierdie ondernemings vergemaklik die aanvaarding van die kaart. Kaarte wat net die handelsmerk van u bank bevat, is gewoonlik net kitsbankkaarte. Hierdie kaarte kan gebruik word by die kitsbanke van u bank, sowel as netwerke van kitsbanke en inkopienetwerke waar u bank lid is.

Krediet- en debietfunksies word dikwels saamgevoeg in 'n enkele kaart, sodat u elke keer as u die kaart lees, kies of u die bankrekening of u kredietkaart wil gebruik.

Gebruik kitsbanke

Staan tou na 'n kitsbank, Azerbeidjan. Vermy kitsbanke waar u die PIN moet invoer met mense wat te naby is.

Die gebruik van kitsbanke (of geldmasjiene) kan die maklikste manier wees om enige geldeenheid te bekom terwyl u nie tuis of internasionaal weg is nie. Behalwe in enkele lande word Mastercard-, Visa- en Cirrus- en Plus-netwerkkaartjies by byna alle kitsbanke wêreldwyd aanvaar. Met 'n kitsbank of debietkaart kom die geld direk vanaf u bankrekening, en dit is gewoonlik die goedkoopste manier om plaaslike kontant te kry.

Die fooie wat hierby betrokke is, hang af van u bank, die kitsbankoperateur en hul verhouding. Die inligting wat by die kitsbank geplaas word of op die skerm vertoon word, dui aan hoeveel die kitsbankoperateur u sal hef; u eie bank- / kaartuitreiker kan sy eie fooie en toeslae byvoeg, dus kan die totale fooi hoër wees as wat op die kitsbank aangedui word. Die fooie kan gehef word aan die wisselkoers wat gebruik word of nie, of dit kan 'n vaste heffing wees: raadpleeg die fooie van u bank / kaartuitreiker vir meer inligting. In die Europese Unie word die fooie gereguleer, dus om euro's vanaf 'n euro-rekening te kry, is dikwels gratis - maar nie by alle kaarte nie en nie by alle kitsbanke nie.

OTM's wêreldwyd volg meestal 'n gevestigde patroon om kontant te onttrek. Plaas u kaart en verifieer u met 'n persoonlike identifikasienommer (PIN) voordat u die bedrag van u onttrekking spesifiseer. Dit is moontlik om 'n kitsbank in die plaaslike taal intuïtief te gebruik. Maar nuwer kitsbanke, of dié van groot banke of toeristegebiede, kan u moontlik 'n alternatiewe, bekende taal op die beginskerm kies of nadat u u kaart ingevoeg het. Maak seker dat u op hoogte is van die huidige wisselkoers voordat u in die onttrekkingsskerm kom, aangesien u onttrekkingsbedrag gewoonlik in plaaslike geldeenheid sal wees.

Gebruik die veiligheidsmaatreëls wat u tuis sou doen: wees bewus daarvan dat mense of verborge kameras u PIN kan sien wanneer u dit binnegaan, en gebruik 'n kitsbank op 'n veilige plek. OTM'e in lughawens, banklobby's en winkelsentrums is geneig om beter sekuriteit te hê (daar is moeiliker om 'n skelm kamera of kaartleser te installeer, en sekuriteit sal ingryp in geval van roof deur nabygeleë diewe). Dit is moontlik dat kitsbanke gekap kan word, met wanware wat deur misdadigers geïnstalleer word. As u hierdie masjiene gebruik, kan dit ander die kans gee om u rekening te tap. Die gebruik van 'n kaart met bedrogwaarborge soos 'n kredietkaart in plaas van 'n debietkaart, kan beskerming bied. Gebruik ook masjiene wat bedryf word deur groter gevestigde banke wat waarskynlik beter bedrogvoorkomingstelsels het.

Voorafbetaalde kaarte wat vir reis verkoop word, kan gewoonlik by kitsbanke gebruik word. Sommige voorafbetaalde kaarte kan slegs tot aankope beperk word. Kyk weer na die fooie.

In ontwikkelde lande is kitsbanke gewoonlik maklik in groter dorpe, maar nie noodwendig op die platteland nie. Daar kan gewoonlik vertrou word op selfs ontwikkelende lande om kitsbanke te hê, maar u sal dalk meer moeite doen om dit op te spoor, en dit kan onbetroubaarder wees as u dit doen. Lande met ekonomiese sanksies kan nie met internasionale kaarte werk nie. Sommige kitsbanke in ontwikkelende lande mag slegs plaaslike geldeenhede uitdeel, waar toeristeondernemings slegs Amerikaanse dollars of soortgelyk aanvaar. Dit maak 'n kitsbank daar nutteloos. Raadpleeg die landartikels. Sommige kitsbanke bied meer as een geldeenheid aan, wat dikwels aangedryf word deur hul ligging en kliëntebasis.

Pasop vir kaartkloning in lande met groot bedrog. Diewe kan 'n toestel op die kaartleser van 'n kitsbank plaas om die inligting van u kaart te gryp, of die data te onderskep wanneer u u kaart in 'n restaurant of winkel gebruik, en dan 'n duplikaat van u kaart te skep wat hulle self kan gebruik. Om die risiko te verminder dat iemand u kaart kloon, soek u kitsbanke op plekke wat goed belig en sigbaar is vir werknemers. Inspekteer die kaartleser op 'n kitsbank voordat u dit gebruik - as dit 'n vreemde vorm het, 'n los onderdeel het of nie ooreenstem met ander kitsbanke in die omgewing nie, gebruik dit nie.

U sal moontlik 'n fooi hef om u saldo deur u bank te kontroleer. Soms sal u saldo egter gratis op 'n kontantonttrekkingsbewys uitgedruk word; 'n laaste stap kan vra of u een wil hê. Met die verskillende wisselkoerse en fooie is die bedrag op die skerm moontlik nie akkuraat nie. Die beste manier om u saldo kosteloos na te gaan, is om internetbankdienste of die slimfoonprogram van u bank te gebruik. As u u rekeningaktiwiteit aanlyn besigtig, sal u OTM-onttrekkings en aankope in u tuisgeldeenheid omgeskakel word. Tradisioneel het u miskien nie 'n saldo op 'n buitelandse kitsbank gekry nie, of dit kan slegs in 'n buitelandse valuta vertoon word. Baie hedendaagse kitsbanke sal egter u huidige saldo in u plaaslike en tuisgeldeenheid vertoon en u selfs die wisselkoers gee wat u gebruik het tydens onttrekking.

• In Sjina, UnionPay is die voorkeurkaarttipe, hoewel dit nie te moeilik is om 'n winkel of kitsbank te vind wat meer wêreldwye soorte soos Visa of Mastercard aanvaar nie.

Doen in elk geval die nodige navorsing om uit te vind oor kitsbanke waarheen u op reis is. Die meeste lande se gidse moet u kan vertel of geldvrye kitsbanke die norm is. En gebruik 'n rugsteunmetode as kitsbanke riskant lyk.

'N Bankrekening by 'n bank wat wêreldwyd teenwoordig is (soos HSBC en Citibank) bied voordele. Dikwels gebruik hulle geldvrye kitsbanke by oorsese takke van dieselfde bank, en beter verbindings- en sekuriteitsfunksies maak hulle betroubaarder. Alhoewel hulle u gewoonlik nie by die tellers kan help nie, sal hulle u dikwels telefonies verbind met 'n oproepsentrum van u eie bank, wat u probleme kan hanteer.

OTM's gee gereeld so min as moontlik rekeninge (banknote) uit. Byvoorbeeld, 'n onttrekking van € 150 sal waarskynlik drie rekeninge van € 50 oplewer. Baie mense weier om van groot rekeninge verandering te maak, daarom word dit aangeraai om 'n bedrag op te neem wat nie slegs met groot rekeninge geproduseer kan word nie, in hierdie geval, bv. € 160, om 'n paar 20 euro rekeninge te kry vir klein aankope. Watter rekeninge deur die kitsbanke vervaardig word, en hoe groot rekeninge aanvaar word, wissel van plek tot plek. In die VSA is baie kitsbanke slegs met $ 20-rekeninge toegerus.

Gebruik kaarte by die verkooppunt

Die aanvaarding van debiet- en kredietkaarte per onderneming verskil volgens land en area, so gaan na die plaaslike gidse. Acceptance is generally more common in more developed countries, but on the other hand, don't be too surprised if a market stall holder in a the remotest of small towns produces a credit card terminal from under the counter.

By far, the most accepted cards worldwide are Visa and MasterCard. If you are acquiring a card for travel, you should get one of these two brands of cards; most issuers should offer either of these cards by default. American Express and Diners' Club cards have global networks but acceptance varies widely depending by country and merchant. Discover, JCB, China UnionPay, NYCE, Star, MAC, and Shazam are regional. Acceptance outside the region is usually limited to areas catering to visitors.

Discover, JCB, China UnionPay, and India's RuPay have an alliance with each other, which allows any of these cards to be accepted on any of the other networks in the home markets of each issuer. This is purely a network alliance, that largely serves to make Discover more usable in China, Japan, and India. This doesn't mean that if the Ugg boot store in Sydney accepts JCB, that it will also accept Discover. Sales personnel may not be familiar with this, but it will work if you can convince them to try. JCB has a separate network alliance with American Express that operates worldwide.

Even if your card is accepted worldwide, you may come across some points-of-sale (e.g. ticket vending machines) that only accept domestically-issued cards. This is manifested through the requirement to enter a postal or zip code of your billing address. If you don't live in the country you are performing the transaction in, you won't obviously be able to provide the postal code. A similar situation may await you when you try to buy local transport tickets using a transport operator's mobile app (this is more common in the US and when this is the case, such apps are not going to be available on your country's mobile app store anyway); in this case, you will have to use the vending machines or a manned ticket desk and possibly pay only in cash.

Debit/ATM versus credit cards

ATMs in Poznan

Debit/ATM cards are linked directly to a bank, checking or cash account and immediately deduct the amount of the purchase or ATM withdrawal from the account. Credit cards are not linked to an account with funds in it, but instead charge against a credit line, to be repaid later. Debit cards can be used for general purchases and for obtaining currency. ATM cards can only be used in ATMs for withdrawing currency. This means somewhat greater security for the latter, i.e.,

• If your ATM card is lost or number stolen, thieves cannot use it in any way without its PIN.
• If card and PIN are compromised, ATMs will dispense currency only in the general locations, dates/times and amount limits you arranged with your bank/credit union before travel.
• If a debit card number is lost or stolen, thieves can use it (with a "cloned" card and phony identification) anywhere to buy goods or services less than a certain amount (for each use) set by your bank...often $100 (equivalent) or less.
• If card and PIN are compromised, thieves can promptly empty the entire account, and mag gain ability to use or steal other assets by examining account details.

When using any type of card to withdraw cash, your bank may charge a fee of 1–3% on top of foreign exchange, an ATM fee and perhaps others. In addition, most credit card users will be charged a cash advance fee and interest on any cash advance ("loan") from the day you withdraw it from an ATM until the credit card balance is fully paid. Credit cards sometimes also have a higher than normal interest rate applicable to cash advances. In some cases you can use a credit card like a debit card or prepaid card by making a payment into your credit card account in-advance, keeping the balance positive. In this case you can avoid the daily interest charge, but still may face other fees. Your bank may also limit its liability to the credit limit on the card if it is lost or stolen.

• Such costs will be unlike and separate from those for retail purchases, and the interest rate for cash advances will often be higher than for purchases. In some cases, your bank may limit credit card cash advances or loans to an amount substantially less than your overall credit line.
• While there is usually a grace period when using your credit card for purchases (you will not be charged interest if you pay off your balance in full within that billing period) there is usually no grace period for a cash advance using a credit card.
• Your bank's liability in case of credit card or PIN loss mag be limited by law, at worst equal to your credit limit and credit balance.

Despite the fees you or the merchant pays, when making point-of-sale purchases, your costs or fees will nearly always be better if you use a credit card than a debit card. If your card is stolen, your liability will usually be limited by law (for U.S. banks, $50 for all misuse), and you can dispute fraudulent charges made by unauthorized users on a credit card. But, a stolen debit card and PIN may be used to empty its account, and require many hassles to re-establish security and (perhaps) regain funds. See "Risks/trade-offs" below for ways to avoid this.

As above, credit card companies will protect you if you are charged more than you agreed to pay, if you pay for something and never receive it (strict deadlines may apply), or if your card is cloned (duplicated) without your knowledge and then fraudulently used without being physically stolen.

Credit cards may also include other benefits such as cancellation insurance for flights (usually only in the case of serious sickness), theft or loss insurance for goods (usually only if stolen within 90 days of purchase and a proper police report is filed), collision insurance for rental cars, and emergency health insurance in certain situations while you are traveling. Your card's issuer should fully describe those benefits and their limits.

Credit cards may also provide rewards programs that give you free flights or cash back after a certain (large) amount of spending. The cards may be linked to a frequent flier or hotel loyalty program. If you have an American Express card, in case of a lost or stolen card, you can obtain cash advances and replacement cards easily, by visiting an American Express office.

There are, however, a few merchants (mostly hotels and rental car firms) who abuse credit card clientele.

• A hire car firm may attempt to rent you a vehicle with minor windscreen damage or small dents, then accuse you of causing that or more damage when or sometime after you return the vehicle. It may automatically charge claimed repairs to your card at questionable or inflated prices. This justifies action before you accept the vehicle for use, i.e., inspect the car thoroughly, inside and out, for damage or missing items, photograph/document any untoward condition seen, and have the condition noted with an agent's initials/signature on your contract at check-out. Consider taking similar photos as you return the vehicle as proof of its condition.
• With hotels, examine the details of your bill before you pay and leave. It can be very difficult to get your bank to process a charge-back if you are careless about an overcharge or hidden charges at the time of booking, e.g. resort fees.

Many Visa or Mastercard debit cards (mostly issued by banks in Asia) are not embossed (no raised letters/numbers), hence they are indicated as "For Electronic Use Only." This means that they can't be used for transactions that require physically imprinting on a merchant's charge slip and/or manual authorization. Acceptance of these "Electronic Use Only" debit cards for online purchases may not be guaranteed even with sufficient funds, and may need clarification with the issuing bank. Consult the issuing bank about how to effectively use the card if going somewhere you've not yet used it.

Before you leave home

Payment by card in Taiwan

• Advise your bank about when and where you are travelling. This can help avoid triggering its fraud monitors that may cause transactions to be rejected, or even freeze your card account. They may also need to get international support specifically activated for your debit or credit card.
• Make note of what to do if your cards are lost or stolen. Note the numbers of your cards, the numbers to call. If your bank has an app that can freeze your card, download it.
• If your bank detects fraud, they may try to contact you. Some banks will send you a SMS notification if they decline your card. If you don't have a phone where you can receive a phone call or a SMS, it may result in your transaction being declined or your card frozen.
• Take a backup card or cards. Keep them separate from your primary cards. Make sure they are also activated for use where you are travelling to. Consider leaving a spare card with someone who could courier it to you in an emergency. Banks can charge large sums for this service.
• Get a separate PIN for each of your cards, and remember them! You can and should choose PINs that you can remember easily. Choose numbers, as not all ATMs have or accept letters. Don't write any down, or make any obvious (e.g. 1234 and 1111).
• PIN code lengths vary from country to country, but for maximum compatibility you should try to make each you'll use 4 digits before traveling. If you have a six digit PIN and can only enter four, try the first four.
• Ensure you accurately enter the PIN when using an ATM. Some ATMs keep your card during your access, and might confiscate it if you make three incorrect PIN entries.

Most banks do not hold you responsible for any transactions made on your card that occur after you report it lost or stolen. So make sure you report any loss or suspected compromise immediately. Use of credit and debit cards is not recommended in a few countries due to high potential for fraudulent misuse, e.g. Nigeria. Your bank should be able to advise you.

"Chip cards"

A payment terminal which supports both chip and magnetic cards

"Chip cards" are credit and debit cards with an embedded chip in addition to or instead of the magnetic stripe. These cards are ubiquitous in Europe, Africa, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, and are being introduced rapidly in the U.S.

A 'chip card' will generally need to be inserted rather than swiped at point of sale. Generally you will enter a PIN (cards with this configuration are called 'chip and PIN' cards), but sometimes the terminal will still generate a sales docket to be signed. In ATMs when you insert your card, there is no change. Some swipe ATMs will ask you to reinsert your card after you have swiped it.

In the U.S., all stores that display the Visa, MasterCard, or American Express logos must also accept the swipe-and-sign version of the credit cards; however, some may initially refuse to do so (be persistent, asking for the manager if necessary). Elsewhere however, with self-service machines such gas pumps and ticket vending machines, you may be out of luck. This is also the case in countries where 'chip and PIN' is the norm where chip cards that do not have a PIN may be declined.

As with all cards, check your statement regularly, and report any instances of unauthorized transactions.

Contactless cards and mobile phones/smart watches

Symbol for contactless payments

Chips on some cards (and passports) include radio frequency identification (RFID), made to be energized by a nearby (authorized) scanner. Often times, a signature and/or PIN are not needed for small transactions done through contactless. Cards that come with this technology and bear the contactless symbol (see the right hand side) and merchants that accept contactless payments will have that decal posted somewhere in their premises (either at the window/door or at the tills). Most of these use an entirely different technology from the debit or credit cards and have inadequate security, e.g. allowing almost any nearby wireless scanner to read data the card/chip holds. That can include personal and financial information, or enough data to gain access to it. This has spawned a small industry in RFID-protected wallets for cards and passports. Learn from each issuer how secure your RFID cards are, and carry and protect them accordingly.

Some mobile phones (notably iPhones released since 2014 and selected Android models), and by extension smartwatches linked to them, have a provision where users can input their debit and credit card information and 'tap' such phones on readers that accept contactless cards (Visa, Mastercard, and AMEX) to pay for a transaction. They work similar to contactless cards but have an added layer of security (e.g. fingerprint verification) before the transaction goes through. Once set up, the device doesn't need an internet connection for use in traditional brick-and-mortar merchants but information about the transaction will only be displayed once an internet connection has been established. Although in theory such technology is supposed to work anywhere with a contactless symbol, it may be difficult to use devices linked to European bank accounts in North America and vice versa due to technical differences between each region. Availability of this technology varies by country and bank. But if this is available to you and contactless is much more ubiquitous than cash in the country you are visiting, you may want to leave your cash and physical cards in your hotel safe.

One disadvantage of contactless technology using the contactless feature of a card or smart device may not be capable of withdrawing cash at cash machines.

Holds on funds

Most large hotels and all car rental companies put a funds "hold" on your credit card for a larger amount than the amount of your pending room or vehicle charge. A $100 car rental can render a card with a $3000 credit limit useless if the car rental agency puts a hold on an excess amount for the full $3000. This usually takes the form of a pre-authorisation, and the "hold" is removed automatically when the final transaction is put through. The "hold" can remain for much longer when the final transaction is never processed, and you have to wait for the pre-authorisation to expire before you can access those funds. This can happen if the hotel doesn't use the pre-authorisation code when you check-out, or if you prepay the hotel bill, and don't incur any charges while staying, there is no final transaction to clear the pre-auth. Usually a pre-auth will expire within 10 days.

"Cardlock" (pay at the pump) fuel pumps will attempt authorization for at least $75–100 on debit cards, even when a lesser amount of fuel is requested. Usually the pump will display the amount. The hold will be released when the transaction is finalized, but you may have to see an attendant if you want to buy $20 of petrol with a debit card with only $20 of funds.

Holds on funds can be more of an issue with debit cards than with credit cards - because your own funds are being held. It's usually best to pay for car rentals and hotels with credit cards where the only hold is on your credit limit.

ATM cards

Anti-skimming device installed on an ATM in Duitsland

If you appreciate the convenience and increased security of such a card, you can ask your bank or credit union for an "ATM only" card. It should (per your request) be networked with ATMs worldwide and only usable in ATMs (or permitted point-of-sale systems) and only with your PIN.

As long as your PIN is secure, this removes the possibility that your card can be stolen or copied and used without your knowledge. Your "ATM only" card also can't be used for phone or Internet purchases, further minimizing the risk someone can copy your card numbers and make unauthorized purchases.

Prepaid cards

Cards accepted!

It may be possible to get a Visa, Mastercard or American Express-branded prepaid card. This prepaid card works similarly to a debit card except that it is not a bank account. Since it is not linked to your bank account, your maximum exposure is limited to the amount of money you have transferred to that card's balance (minimum top up amounts apply).

Prepaid cards may or may not be capable of being topped-up, depending on the issuer's policies. If so, once the balance is completely depleted, the card can't be used anymore and should be physically destroyed. However for cards that may be topped-up, they can be done so in the issuing banks or online. You do not need to have a bank account with the bank that issued the prepaid card but having one has advantages such as more convenient options to top-up your card (e.g. online, via ATM). There is usually no minimum denominated amount for top-up. Still, you should only top-up the amount you need for a certain number of anticipated uses.

Availability of those cards within each country varies. Some countries like the U.S. have prepaid Visa, Mastercard and American Express available at the counter of pharmacies or grocery stores; they just need pre-payment and activation at the purchase point. Others will allow you to get them from well-known foreign exchange stands (e.g. Travelex). But a few will only make these cards available directly from participating banks.

Generally, these prepaid cards can be used worldwide unless indicated otherwise (most notably, generic Visa, Mastercard and American Express gift cards issued in the U.S.) However online use of prepaid cards depends on the issuer.

Fees can be levied on the card purchase, on top-ups, on withdrawals, on non-use, and on closure. The exchange rates used when converting to a different currency on the card, are nie the standard Visa or Mastercard rates and are determined by the issuer. These can easily be up to 10% from the "mid-rate".

Prepaid cards may or may not allow withdrawals from an ATM (depending on the issuer), and those that do may assess an additional fee on top of the usual fees imposed for withdrawals. That, because using a prepaid card is supposed to encourage electronic point-of-sale transactions.

Prepaid cards often have no PIN and therefore cannot be used for 'cardlock' pay-at-the-pump fuel purchases. They can still be processed manually by the fuel station attendant.

It will usually be cheaper to obtain and use a low foreign transaction fee debit card than a prepaid card for foreign currency transactions. The only disadvantage...you are subject to volatility in exchange rates, as your debit card only stores your local currency.

Specialist travel currency cards and fee-free alternatives

Consider purchasing currency cards such as Cash Passport. These are normally branded in a MasterCard and in some cases a Visa logo, and hence can be used in anywhere where merchants accept those cards. The normal currency cards being offered are denominated in U.S. dollars, euros, pound sterling, Canadian dollars and Australian dollars. You will top up in your home currency and it will be converted into the currency of the card.

Some currency cards are capable of containing multiple currencies at once. In this case, you may be able to change money between currencies offered by that card.

The rates usually fall between 1.0-2.5% of the base rate used by MasterCard or Visa, which is still better than using your everyday debit or credit card directly. In order to take advantage of the best rates, top up online and use the currency card only for transactions in the currencies of the card. When using a currency card having multiple currencies, make sure that the currencies have sufficient balance to cover transactions you wish to make. If you are offered a conversion to your home currency, reject it as well.

In some countries, it is possible to get debit cards that convert your transaction using the SPOT or interbank rate. This means you are going to be charged at or around the same exchange rate that you see on finance websites or business channels. These cards are usually associated with a mobile phone app, which you need to download in the first instance to apply for such cards. These apps can give you your transaction history, allow you to top up funds, convert between currencies, etc. Some cards on the other hand will not require you to top up funds; they will directly charge your "main" debit card or bank account but will use the interbank rate instead of your bank's rate, which may have foreign exchange fees or other surcharges associated with it. Other fee-free services such as Revolut, which is available in dozens of countries, act as virtual bank accounts where the account/card-holder can have accounts in as many currencies as the provider offers. This way, provided that the user tops up and converts local currency into each of his or her foreign exchange accounts beforehand sufficiently, the user will be protected from further fluctuations in the foreign exchange market. Whether these fee-free provisions extend to ATM withdrawals depends on the issuer.

EC Cards

If you have a European euro bank account you can obtain a V Pay card. This can be used as a debit card in shops and restaurants in other euro countries with no additional charge. Can also be used at European (but not worldwide) ATMs.

Card costs

Card usage fees

A self-checkout machine in a Houston supermarket

Transaction fees can be charged by the bank or institution that issues your card, the company that clears or processes the transaction, and the merchant or the ATM-owner where you use your card. These fees can be fixed, a percentage of the amount, or built into an exchange rate - or a combination of these.

Per the above discussion on card types, most card issuers will charge a foreign transaction fee of up to 4% of the transaction amount every time you make a purchase or cash withdrawal in a foreign country. This fee may be charged even if the transaction is in your home currency but with a foreign bank. Be careful purchasing other countries on the web, where the currency amount may be displayed in your home currency, but you still may pay foreign transaction fees. Try to find a card issuer that doesn't charge this fee or has a low fee.

• In the United States: Capital One, Schwab, Discover Bank, and Varo debit cards. Most travel credit cards.
• In the United Kingdom: Halifax.
• In Australia: 28 Degrees or Citbank Plus.
• In Canada: Home Trust, Scotiabank or Rogers Bank (which charges 2.5% exchange, but provides 4% cash back on foreign transactions).

This can save you a considerable amount on any extended travel. Card issuers may also charge a foreign ATM usage fees as a fixed fee. Check your banks fees well in advance of travel, and consider applying for a new card with lower fees for travel. Allow plenty of time for the application and to receive the card.

The processing company - Visa, Mastercard, American Express, etc. - build a small margin into the exchange rate they convert at. You can find the exchange rate that Visa or Mastercard exchange rates on their website. American Express charges an exchange rate that is 0.0% to 0.5% worse than the rate charged by Visa and MasterCard. Generally the rate is 0.5% to 1% from the midrate. The exchange rate applied to a transaction is usually the rate on the transaction processing date, that can vary from the purchase date. Therefore, unless currency rates are fixed, it is impossible to know exactly what exact exchange rate will be charged until the transaction is posted to your account. Any exchange rate fluctuation may be in your favor, or against you.

When paying by a credit/debit card, different exchange rates might be used depending on your bank policies. Check which exchange rate does your bank use, the credit card company rate is usually much more favourable than the bank rate. Usual practice is that if your bank has an exchange rate available for a currency, they use that rate, and if they do not trade this currency, they use credit card company rate. Thus, exotic currencies might be actually cheaper then expected. However, if your home currency is not a first tier currency, the bank policy might be to use their rate to exchange the amount to hard currency, eg. Euros or Dollars, and then use the credit card rate to exchange it to the desired currency, meaning you will pay the exchange rate twice during one transaction. If going for an expensive or long holiday, the exchange rates are likely to be the most most expensive part of card usage costs.

As mentioned previously, some FinTech providers (e.g. Revolut) offer debit cards and virtual bank accounts with no (when the market is open) or lower foreign exchange transaction fees (during the weekend when the market is closed) than brick-and-mortar banks. This way you will be able to convert cash or perform card transactions at the real-time interbank rate.

ATM owners can charge a fixed fee' to use your card at an ATM, on top of what your bank charges you. This will usually be written on the ATM or displayed on the screen. Check for partnerships with your card issuer to reduce this fee; some ATMs may have partnership arrangements with your bank to have lower fees or fee free withdrawals. Consider larger withdrawals to reduce the impact of fixed fees. Before going to some country, get to know the local fees - so you will know that in Thailand it is normal to pay quite a large fee while in Europe this is unusual. If there are multiple ATMs next to each other, you can shop around for the smallest fee. ATMs of a local bank usually charge smaller fee than ATM only companies, such as Euronet in Europe.

Merchants may charge a surcharge or require a minimum purchase. Local laws can affect how common merchant surcharges are. Merchant surcharges can be a fixed fee or a percentage of the transaction, and they should be advised at point of sale. These can vary between card types, and between debit and credit cards.

Dynamic currency conversion

When you are paying by card for items or services priced in a foreign currency, some merchants will offer to convert your transaction into your home currency. This is called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). Unless you prioritise certainty (given that the actual amount in your home currency to be debited is disclosed), if this is offered, you should decline Dit. Merchants aren't disclosing one key point: their exchange rates are often worse than whatever your card issuer would have provided had you kept the transaction in terms of the local currency – sometimes up to 10% worse.

• Always check your receipt and card terminal, and if you see anything involving your home currency in a country that doesn't use that currency, ask the merchant to redo the transaction in the local currency. Where DCC is offered, Visa requires the merchant to disclose the fee and must provide the consumer with a choice of getting the bill in the customer's home currency or the local currency.
• Some credit card terminals will show you an amount in your home currency and ask you to accept or decline the amount. Declining the home currency option will process the transaction in the local currency, which means your bank or card issuer will do the conversion for you.
• Some cash machines are also known to use DCC, much like credit cards at the point of sale, and should be declined. The machine will ask you if you would like the amount in your home currency or local currency; even though you will always receive the local currency. If you decline (cancel), some ATMs are programmed to automatically cancel the transaction, which is to say that the bank is forcing you to accept DCC. Your best choice is to just find another ATM that doesn't use dynamic currency conversion.
• Merchants may try to convince you that paying in your home currency will avoid foreign transaction fees. This is not always necessarily true and instead, depending on the issuer, may still end up paying the foreign transaction fee on top of the unfavourable foreign exchange rate used for conversion.
• Some merchants may force DCC on you. They may claim that the machine does it automatically. Insist that the merchant re-runs the transaction in local currency. If they refuse, clearly write "DCC Refused, Local currency not offered". Then dispute the charge with your bank.
• Sometimes you may be asked to tick the currency on a receipt. Mark the local currency clearly and (optionally) write "Local currency selected".
• If you have an American Express card and the merchant accepts it, use it. American Express prohibits DCC.

Cheques

Travellers cheque

A travellers cheque (or travelers check) is a cheque issued for a fixed amount in a specific currency that you purchase with your funds in advance. Once the most popular way of taking currency overseas, these are declining in popularity due to widespread adoption of payment cards; the number of businesses willing to cash a traveller's cheque is also in decline. There is often a fee (about 1% of face value) when purchasing the cheques at a bank; sommige automobile associations waive this fee as a service to their members.

Before buying travellers cheques, confirm they will be accepted where you are travelling. As there are many common scams involving forged or stolen cheques, many merchants no longer honor them; travellers buying travellers cheques before a trip sometimes return home having been unable to use them anywhere.

Be sure to get the cheques in the currency of the country to which you are travelling, or (if that's not possible) whichever one gives the best exchange rate there. Travellers cheques are available only in major currencies. For example, if you are travelling to the USA, you could purchase ten US$100 travellers cheques before you travel there, and use them when you arrive. You sign each cheque when you purchase it and again on the same cheque to redeem it.

One of the main advantage of travellers cheques is complete protection against loss or theft. Once you report them as missing, the issuing company will replace them. You must also keep a record of your used cheque numbers. Most travellers cheque issuers have arrangements to replace them around the world in a short time frame so you are not long left without cash. If you are unsure which cheques you have already cashed and which are missing, your refund may be delayed until the issuer can figure out which ones have been presented.

A second advantage is that travellers cheques in a foreign currency may allow you to lock-in an exchange rate without the risk of cash, or the fees associated with a pre-paid card. If you are travelling from Germany to the U.S. and know you are spending $1,100 to stay at your New York hotel that accepts travellers cheques, you can purchase that value (U.S. dollar denomination cheques) in advance with no risk of exchange movements at the time. That said, should the euro rise in value in the meantime, you paid more than you could have. Thus, it's a trade-off of stability versus possibly a better rate. Just make sure the hotel accepts travellers cheques before you purchase, or you have a way of cashing them elsewhere upon arrival.

Travellers cheques can be exchanged for cash at some banks and exchange bureaus. A hotel may sometimes provide this service to its guests. American Express travellers cheques can also be exchanged at American Express travel centers. Fees for cashing travellers cheques vary by destination and institution. Some banks will cash some brands of cheques free, but this is increasingly rare. American Express will cash their cheques free at their travel centers if they are in the denominated in local currency. More often, fees apply, a sliding scale or a flat fee that may apply only above a certain threshold. If you are cashing travellers cheques into different currency to their denomination, fees may also be charged for the exchange.

Travellers cheques can also sometimes be used for purchases at point of sale, although less widely than credit cards. In general, only the largest stores and hotels will accept travellers cheques for payment.

You will pay a fee to buy travellers cheques. If they are denominated in a foreign currency, this fee may be built into the exchange rate.

If you have travel insurance, you may care to compare the benefits under your policy. Credit card companies will usually offer a 48-hour emergency replacement or cash advance service for a fee, and these fees may already be covered under your policy. The policies may also cover the loss or theft of cash.

Personal cheques and bank drafts

A personal cheque (of check) issued on a current account with your bank or credit union is not likely to be widely accepted for travel. Acceptance is typically confined to the travellers home country or region in local currencies and the cheque risks being worthless if the underlying account is overdrawn.

A bank draft of cashier's cheque is issued by a banking institution, drawn on its own funds instead of an individual client's account. These are now so uncommon that they are unlikely to be accepted without special arrangements being made. These have been almost completely replaced by telegraphic transfers - funds transfer directly between international bank accounts.

Mobile payments

Japan en Suid-Korea were the pioneers in mobile payments, with South Korea adopting its first mobile payment system in 2000, and Japan in 2004. The original South Korean and Japanese systems required the use of phones with a special chip installed, making them exclusively designed for the domestic market. Since the late 2010s, mobile payments have taken off in Sjina, which unlike the Japanese and South Korean systems, were QR code based, and only required a smart phone. Today, China leads the world in the adoption of mobile payments, and these are accepted even by many street market stalls, to the point that they often do not have change for customers paying by cash.

Carrying or sending money across national borders

Countries track large movements of money across national borders. This is to help prevent money laundering, tax evasion, and transfers of funds to criminal and terrorist groups. If you transfer money between international bank accounts, or use your credit card in a foreign country, this is reported automatically, but if you carry large amounts of money (typically more than US$10,000, euro, or similar hard currency) you will need to declare it whenever you leave or enter a country. Don't forget monetary instruments such as traveller's checks count as well, as do personal cheques, bank cheques, postal orders or similar monetary instruments that are able to pay the bearer cash. If you or one of your travelling party could exchange them outside the country for cash, you should declare. This typically does not apply if you are abroad, but not the funds or the party to be paid (e.g. domestic online payment, internationally mailing a cheque both drawn and payable exclusively in your home country, etc.) If in any doubt, just declare.

Some countries, such as Indië en Noord-Korea, do not allow the country's home currency to be imported or exported at all. Other countries may have such a low import/export limit in the country's currency that these limits effectively stop you importing or exporting the local currency. This means that you will have to bring all the money you need in a convertible currency and change it to the local currency when you arrive. Likewise, you must change all the local currency back to hard currency before you leave. Often, these laws are poorly enforced. At other times, they can be inconvenient when converting back to hard currency may require a receipt. Check local guides for likely issues.

If you need to use your pre-existing online bill payment from your bank or PayPal while abroad to pay bills back home, let them know a week in advance which countries you will be visiting. Banking and payment websites are aware of your access from a foreign country because they can track the origin of your Internet IP address, which is country specific. You will likely be blocked from your account to prevent fraud, unless prior arraignments were made.

Getting money in an emergency

You should have a plan for how you will get money in an emergency.

If you have a spare card that you left at home, you can use that card to do things like book prepaid accommodation online through an accommodation booking site. In some countries you can even use a spare card or a friends card to purchase eGiftCards, that give you a number or a bar code you can use at point of purchase in supermarkets, etc.

If you have a premium credit card, or an American Express card, contact their assistance numbers. The credit card assistance lines will often wire you cash as a cash advance on the credit card.

If you have travel insurance, contact their assistance line. Most insurance companies cover lost cash and cards, but most will have to process a claim before they will help you, which is practically useless in the short term.

If you have someone willing to send you money, there are several options for getting money fast in an emergency. These include the following:

• Having someone back home directly depositing money into your bank account. You then use an ATM to make withdrawals. If you both have a PayPal account, this can be done online by computer. It will take a couple days for the money to transfer from your PayPal account to your bank account (longer over weekends and bank holidays), and don't forget to initiate this yourself on the PayPal website as soon as possible. However, if you have PayPal's debit card (MasterCard/Cirrus), the funds will normally be available immediately. (Don't do the aforementioned transfer in this case.) This is not without risk; as Paypal is not a bank and is not regulated as a bank, your recourse is relatively limited if they freeze your account or hold your funds for any reason. There are no fees for funds sent directly from bank accounts of family and friends (i.e. non-commercial transactions), but credit/debit card, and foreign exchange fees apply. Typically, these fees are similar to or somewhat less than what others charge. Although PayPal offers many foreign currencies for sending money, the funds must be in the same currency as your bank account back home. Only if you're relying on a trusted friend abroad, should the funds be sent in a foreign currency.

• Moneygram is a private money transfer company with many franchise outlet around the world. Someone can pay in money at one office giving the name of the receiver and will be given a reference number. Within an hour you can obtain the cash anywhere in the world if you have the reference number and some form of identification. Fees are higher than interbank money transfer but it has the advantage you do not need an account in the sending or receiving country. There are some dedicated Moneygram shops but in most countries agents are in small supermarkets (often catering for expatriates), newsagents, tobacconists, and some banks, often in areas of high immigrant populations. In the UK and Canada the Post Office is an agent.

• Get money from a friend via wire transfer services like Western Union. (similar to MoneyGram). If you know your credit card numbers, you can use it to wire yourself some money. However, this is quite expensive, since it will be treated as a "cash advance," in addition to the hefty Western Union fee.

• XOOM ("zoom") is now owned by PayPal, and has wire transfer services similar to Western Union and Moneygram. Some countries have cash home delivery available.

• Sending cash via an overnight courier service (this is reliable, but is sometimes not allowed in the courier company's terms of service.)

• You could sell personal possessions such as a camera or sport watch.

Your embassy may be able to provide a short-term emergency loan. In many cases, the embassy may only offer help in obtaining a loan from a third party. They will certainly want to see that you have exhausted all other avenues open to you.

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