ASK THE EXPERT: Managing your travel wallet
Some of the most common questions I get when people are traveling abroad are,”What kind of money should I bring with me?” “Should I use my credit card?” “Is it safe to use my debit card?” “How much cash should I bring?”
My answer to all of these questions is the same: “You should bring a mix of money.” And AAA Colorado retail stores have some great products to assist you in managing your travel wallet.
Cash: You’ll want to have cash on hand for small purchases, tips, or where credit cards are not accepted. Ireland uses two separate currencies—British pounds in Northern Ireland, and Euros everywhere else. AAA members can order foreign currency from their local AAA Colorado retail store and have it available for pick up as early as the next business day.
AAA Member Rewards Visa: Visa is widely accepted in Ireland, so you won’t need to carry a lot of cash. You also won’t be hit with foreign transaction fees when you use your AAA Member Rewards Visa—that can save you up to 3% that other cards might charge.
AAA MemberPay Visa Card: Many AAA members like to use this prepaid, reloadable Visa debit card as an alternative way to budget daily travel purchases (not available in Grand Junction or Durango stores). It’s safer than cash, since it’s not linked to your bank account, and it allows you to get local currency at any Visa ATM.
Whether you prefer wandering the coastal paths, exploring historic towns, or dining in luxury, Ireland offers it all, and AAA’s travel money products take the worry out of how to pay so that it won’t spoil your adventures.
