Cash, Traveler's checks, debit card?

[HarryS]

I can get $JA from my bank... I asked about it before our last trip and found that their rates were worse than at MBJ. I bring a debit card and take $JA as needed (usually from the Times Square ATM), and find that since my bank refunds ATM fees I get a better exchange rate than at the cambios.

I also bring a credit card that stays in the safe for emergencies... thankfully we've never needed it.

[Al Drake]

I can get $JA from my bank... I asked about it before our last trip and found that their rates were worse than at MBJ. I bring a debit card and take $JA as needed (usually from the Times Square ATM), and find that since my bank refunds ATM fees I get a better exchange rate than at the cambios.

I also bring a credit card that stays in the safe for emergencies... thankfully we've never needed it.

My bank also refunds ATM fees. The last time I used Traveler's Checks there was no fee from my bank. I still like the idea of a refund if lost or stolen unlike cash. I'm just not sure how long that process takes. I have never had a credit card in my life and still have a portion of my first paycheck stashed at my mom's house. That was well over 50 years ago. I also have a time capsule buried in her back yard with cash and other things from that era. Gee, I wonder how much that coin collection is worth.

[Hussyband]

I can get $JA from my bank... I asked about it before our last trip and found that their rates were worse than at MBJ. I bring a debit card and take $JA as needed (usually from the Times Square ATM), and find that since my bank refunds ATM fees I get a better exchange rate than at the cambios.

I also bring a credit card that stays in the safe for emergencies... thankfully we've never needed it.

For our trip last year, there was a 12% variance in the banks favor for converting us to JA here in the states. The rate was substantially worse than what you get at the airport (which is bad enough itself). I was really surprised at just how bad the rates were.

I don't think we've used travelers checks in a number of years though. We used to get them free, either from American Express or the bank, but the last time I looked into it, the hassle and expense was too much to bother with.

[captaind]

I've used the 5K notes quite often to pay for supplies for the yard project.

Much easier to carry ten bills in my pocket than fifty.

[poolguywindsor]

I used to always bring travellors checks, but in the last year or so, it became not worth it. Now I bring some cash to get started, then use the ATM,s

[Bnewb]

There are still coins here...none have been discontinued since you were here last but the shape of the 10J coin changed.
Also, newly added was a 5000J bill.

[poolguywindsor]

I "remember when" lol, those $5000 dollar bills were almost impossible to spend!, Change anyway, but now that's like $50 US, not really a big deal now.

That was like a Bob Marley lyric thing for those that didn't get it,lol

[suzengrace]

debit cards/credit-2 different ones-that way if one gets "eaten" by the atm -and I've seen it happen(and its a huge hassle getting it back) I will have a back-up .....

I always carry some emergency cash too.....one main reason is-if the electricity goes out (and it does) you cant access ATMs...or (and this happens alot too) if the ATMS run-out of $$$....

[St. Anthony's Kitchen]

I was at NCB (National Commercial Bank) recently when a German tourist came in to cash American Express travelers checks. The bank would not cash them. I told her to go the nearby FX Traders (exchange) but do not know what happened. Don't bring travelers checks. --Fadder Jimaica

[Rob]

The ATM at HiLo is on a back up generator and always runs... I will be checking on the others at Scotia...