Arsenal OT: No Rep Whores Here!

[surfcam]

Bring whatever card you booked anything with with you, made a big mistake of not doing this one time and had a to rebook a eurostar train trip to paris on the spot for twice the money. You'll need it for your BA tickets as well.

Also.. the best way to go is to just withdraw money from ATM's, take out the max amount you can every time to avoid redundant service charges (most banks let you take out $300 US when you're abroad a day? about £170 at the moment). It will be cheaper than travellers checks or exchanging money. Also you -should- call your bank, or credit card companies on any of the cards you're using and tell them you're travelling abroad, otherwise they might turn them off thinking they were stolen.

Good advise DL, I forgot to mention that. If there are a bunch of charges from out of the country they will shut them down on possible fraud. It will take a lot of calls to get them unlocked.

The only thing to remember about taking out cash advances on credit cards is there is usually a limit on the amount they allow, and this is typically less than your credit line. Don't want to get stuck w/o cash and no way to get any.

And when you get there, get a pocket A to Z map. Those things are damn handy, especially when you are drunk and trying to find your hotel. Not that I know anything about that!:o :D

[Gunner Phan]

Wish I could join you!
me too cam...would be great to hang.

[surfcam]

me too cam...would be great to hang.

No kidding, though if I did go I would have to hide the Vandersexxx t-shirt upon return to the States for fear of divorce!;) :D

[Gunner Phan]

No kidding, though if I did go I would have to hide the Vandersexxx t-shirt upon return to the States for fear of divorce!;) :D
lol....what happens in Vandersexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx stays in Vandersexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Bluto11]

Bring whatever card you booked anything with with you, made a big mistake of not doing this one time and had a to rebook a eurostar train trip to paris on the spot for twice the money. You'll need it for your BA tickets as well.

Also.. the best way to go is to just withdraw money from ATM's, take out the max amount you can every time to avoid redundant service charges (most banks let you take out $300 US when you're abroad a day? about £170 at the moment). It will be cheaper than travellers checks or exchanging money. Also you -should- call your bank, or credit card companies on any of the cards you're using and tell them you're travelling abroad, otherwise they might turn them off thinking they were stolen.

You don't really need to bother with exchanging money beforehand, as you'll just get raped. Their are plenty of visible ATM's in Heathrow and you can buy your tube ticket into town with a card.
sounds good, thanks for the advice.

I can withdraw money from my credit cards, but would rather just go it straight from my checking or savings accounts. My bank is Chase (formerly Bank One, formerly First Chicago) so i'm not sure if I can withdraw at international ATMs (cash points for the Brits :) ). I'm going to have to ask.

[deeplennon]

sounds good, thanks for the advice.

I can withdraw money from my credit cards, but would rather just go it straight from my checking or savings accounts. My bank is Chase (formerly Bank One, formerly First Chicago) so i'm not sure if I can withdraw at international ATMs (cash points for the Brits :) ). I'm going to have to ask.

The good news is you can, but you should call to see what the daily max withdrawal is, I believe it's usually 300 or 400 US $. You get the best exchange rate on Card transactions (ATM or CC purchases). If you have a Visa or MC debit card like most people you can use that to pay for your hotel and stuff too.

I wouldn't use your Credit Cards to withdraw money unless you're really broke.. Cash Advance interest rates are insane and often there's an extra fee tacked on.

[Bluto11]

The good news is you can, but you should call to see what the daily max withdrawal is, I believe it's usually 300 or 400 US $. You get the best exchange rate on Card transactions (ATM or CC purchases). If you have a Visa or MC debit card like most people you can use that to pay for your hotel and stuff too.

I wouldn't use your Credit Cards to withdraw money unless you're really broke.. Cash Advance interest rates are insane and often there's an extra fee tacked on.
just looked at my ATm card and it is a Visa Debit card, so that is good. I used credit cards to withdraw money last time I was over when i couldn't get to a currency exchange to change the travelers checks i brought over, but I never have to worry about an interest rate becaue i pay my credit card bills in full every time.

[deeplennon]

sounds good, thanks for the advice.

I can withdraw money from my credit cards, but would rather just go it straight from my checking or savings accounts. My bank is Chase (formerly Bank One, formerly First Chicago) so i'm not sure if I can withdraw at international ATMs (cash points for the Brits :) ). I'm going to have to ask.

Where are you staying BTW?

[fox point fury]

I hear ya. Or a table and 4 matching chairs in a MINI Cooper. I still can't believe that one.

:eek: Damn, you got me beat!

[Gunner Phan]

Where are you staying BTW?
I believe he is crashing at casa de B-Mannilow.

[Bluto11]

Where are you staying BTW?
Rick's


or as Ryan calls it. Casa de Manilow

[Gunner Phan]

mike, strokes NYC 3/3 hammerstein - presale today....if you need link pm me.

[antifan]

I'm loving these new upgraded servers. :rolleyes:

[HighburyGoon]

mike, strokes NYC 3/3 hammerstein - presale today....if you need link pm me.


I'm assuming it's too late now. C'est la'vie.

EDIT: - Just as well, as whatever I don't spend here goes towards the Chicago and London trips.

[Rick B]

Rick's


or as Ryan calls it. Casa de Manilow

Dan.

Cashpoints - Make sure you use ones which have either HSBC, Natwest, Barclays that arn't attached to banks or any that are attached to banks. Others in streets, pubs, travel exchange places charge a high fee that you can avoid by generally walking 20 metres. Or you can not withdraw if you've got the tube money and I'll take you to one when you get here. You'll get a better rate than travellers cheques and won't have the hassle to change them......

Credit Cards - You'll get charged a fee, so try to stick to your debit card. If it is a Visa debit/ Mastercard debit or has Maestro or Cirrus on the back it will work almost anywhere. Only cards that are restricted are Amex and Delta. Simply because the fee's that the traders are charged are higher. E.G. even Arsenal won't accept Amex.

Passport - leave at mine, use your Driving License for any ID you may have to have checked.

Tube - buy an Oyster card at Heathrow. It's a pre-payment tube travel card. It will cost you less than forking out every day for a Travelcard. It works like a electronic pass. It will save you about 15% on the fares. If you don't, when you get to Heathrow, a trick is to buy a single to a zone 4 station. It will cost you less than if you put in Southgate. No-one will check and it will work fine. If you do get checked - "I'm an American, first time in London etc etc"

Let me know what time your flight gets in - Ive forgotten. It will take about 80 mins to get to Southgate.

[Gunner Phan]

Dan.

Cashpoints - Make sure you use ones which have either HSBC, Natwest, Barclays that arn't attached to banks or any that are attached to banks. Others in streets, pubs, travel exchange places charge a high fee that you can avoid by generally walking 20 metres. Or you can not withdraw if you've got the tube money and I'll take you to one when you get here. You'll get a better rate than travellers cheques and won't have the hassle to change them......

Credit Cards - You'll get charged a fee, so try to stick to your debit card. If it is a Visa debit/ Mastercard debit or has Maestro or Cirrus on the back it will work almost anywhere. Only cards that are restricted are Amex and Delta. Simply because the fee's that the traders are charged are higher. E.G. even Arsenal won't accept Amex.

Passport - leave at mine, use your Driving License for any ID you may have to have checked.

Tube - buy an Oyster card at Heathrow. It's a pre-payment tube travel card. It will cost you less than forking out every day for a Travelcard. It works like a electronic pass. It will save you about 15% on the fares. If you don't, when you get to Heathrow, a trick is to buy a single to a zone 4 station. It will cost you less than if you put in Southgate. No-one will check and it will work fine. If you do get checked - "I'm an American, first time in London etc etc"

Let me know what time your flight gets in - Ive forgotten. It will take about 80 mins to get to Southgate.

Good points Richard! :p

I'm listening to an incredible 'Mandy' from '76...its spectacular! ;) :D

[jatm516]

I wouldn't have admitted that, Ryan. ;)

[Gunner Phan]

I wouldn't have admitted that, Ryan. ;)
I was kidding, GOSH! [/Napoleon]

what's up playa! how's AK?

[jatm516]

Well I'm not sure how Alaska is, but AR is cold and sucks.

Yeah I know you're just kissing up to Rick before you get to London. LOL

[Bluto11]

Dan.

Cashpoints - Make sure you use ones which have either HSBC, Natwest, Barclays that arn't attached to banks or any that are attached to banks. Others in streets, pubs, travel exchange places charge a high fee that you can avoid by generally walking 20 metres. Or you can not withdraw if you've got the tube money and I'll take you to one when you get here. You'll get a better rate than travellers cheques and won't have the hassle to change them......

Credit Cards - You'll get charged a fee, so try to stick to your debit card. If it is a Visa debit/ Mastercard debit or has Maestro or Cirrus on the back it will work almost anywhere. Only cards that are restricted are Amex and Delta. Simply because the fee's that the traders are charged are higher. E.G. even Arsenal won't accept Amex.

Passport - leave at mine, use your Driving License for any ID you may have to have checked.

Tube - buy an Oyster card at Heathrow. It's a pre-payment tube travel card. It will cost you less than forking out every day for a Travelcard. It works like a electronic pass. It will save you about 15% on the fares. If you don't, when you get to Heathrow, a trick is to buy a single to a zone 4 station. It will cost you less than if you put in Southgate. No-one will check and it will work fine. If you do get checked - "I'm an American, first time in London etc etc"

Let me know what time your flight gets in - Ive forgotten. It will take about 80 mins to get to Southgate.
thanks!

i'll email you my flight info, as I don't have it in front of my and I need to eat dinner.

had to change a flat tire coming home from work today. only good part was that I was in a gas station parking lot, as opposed to the side of I-90.