You’re going abroad, and you’ll be changing money.  What is the best way to do that?  The short answer is to use the ATM.  REALLY!  Almost anywhere in the world now, you’ll find ATMs.  Almost.

Try to check ahead before you go to know whether to take cash, traveler’s checks, ATM or credit cards.  Traveler’s checks aren’t used all that much anymore, but they’re a good backup in case something goes wrong with the credit cards and ATMs.

If you can’t get money out of a cash machine, it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem with YOUR card.  Those electronic transactions have to be submitted and approved, there may be communications problems in less developed counties; their readers might not read your card; or (and this has happened) the bank ATM has run out of money! (more…)