Dollars, Euros, and a Pot of Gold
I recently returned from my third trip to Ireland. It has been suggested that there is a whole world to see, but the problem is that I have absolutely fallen in love with the home of my family’s ancestors. The first two times I flew to Ireland, I met a small tour group of 10-15 Americans and spent most of my time traveling around with them. This time I was familiar enough with the towns I wanted to visit and the transportation options, so I planned it myself and went entirely alone. What I learned is that you cannot truly be alone in Ireland. I met up with friends from previous trips and made new friends nearly every place I visited. This trip was less about seeing and doing and more about just being: being in a beautiful place with incredible music and spending time with warm and welcoming Irish people. This experience was priceless, but since I can never seem to run into a leprechaun’s pot of gold, there were a few things I kept in mind to ensure I didn’t spend more than necessary. Below are some general travel tips I practiced, that you may want to note as you plan your next adventure anywhere in the world:
Cash
Do not plan to exchange cash in the airport. Prior to your trip, find a debit card that allows you to take cash from a foreign ATM without a 2-4% foreign transaction fee. Many of them will even reimburse flat nominal ATM fees as well. You will want to use a debit card and not a credit card, because a credit card will likely charge you a cash advance fee and will immediately charge you interest on that advance (usually at a higher rate). When you use that debit card to take cash out of an ATM overseas, remember to choose “without currency conversion.” Even though this may sound counterintuitive, since you do in fact want your dollars to be converted into local currency, this is still the better method. The ATM only has the local currency in the machine, but if you choose “with conversion” you are asking the owner of the ATM to do the calculation, and they will often take a significantly larger cut to do so. Instead, decline that service, and allow your bank (whichever your debit card belongs to) to do the conversion at a favorable exchange rate.
Credit
Obtain or identify a credit card in your wallet that does not have foreign transaction fees. Note that many small businesses and restaurants overseas do not accept AMEX, so you will want to consider a VISA or a Mastercard for these purchases. Make sure to pay in the local currency; do not have them convert to USD at checkout or when you are paying the bill at a restaurant or bar. Similar to the ATM, steer clear of anything that says “dynamic currency conversion.” Also, see if your credit card offers reimbursement for TSA pre-check or Global Entry (many do): both programs can save you significant time in the airports.
Insurance
The unfortunate reality is that trips can be cancelled or delayed for any number of reasons, and many travel packages, tickets, and hotels are non-refundable or cannot be cancelled with full refund within a certain time frame. Travel Insurance, either through your credit card or for purchase if you paid by check or wire is worth every penny. In that case that someone gets sick, there is a death in the family, or (the most common scenario) a flight is delayed or cancelled, you can be reimbursed for at least some of those costs. This insurance isn’t too expensive, and it will give you the peace of mind to focus on planning and enjoying your trip.
Tipping
Tipping is very common in the US, especially in the service industry, but in many other countries it is not common or not expected to the same extent. Familiarize yourself with the tipping culture in your destination country before you jet off, so that you can plan ahead of time and budget for these tips.
Cell Service
Sometimes you do not want to be entirely off the grid, but rather, you want to be able to check in with family, friends, and colleagues back home. If you are traveling alone, or just not with a formal tour group the entire time, you may also need service for things like GPS. It may be tempting to use free public Wi-Fi, for example in the airports, but this is never a good idea, especially in a foreign country. If you don’t have to pay for Wi-Fi, or if there isn’t a password, others could be accessing your data in real time. Contact your cellphone carrier to determine your options during your trip. Some have daily rates as low as $10 a day. For a longer trip, it may be more appropriate to go with an international plan for the full month. Either way, you will be able to access the internet and make calls and texts without worrying about security.
Just a little work ahead of time can save you some possible headaches and a few pennies that you’d probably rather spend on souvenirs and treats to take back home!
Now, I will leave you with the following Irish proverb:
May your heart be light and happy, may your smile be big and wide, and may your pockets always have a coin or two inside!