Ciao again Italy travelers, 

We've sent you info on what to take and pack, but today we want to address what to do about money in Italy as I am sure you will want to make a few purchases along the way. 😉 So this information should come in handy. Please note that you won't need a great deal of cash as cards are used as much in Europe as they are in the U.S.

Cash & ATMs

The best place to get foreign currency is actually not at an exchange booth in the airport or even at a U.S. bank. The easiest and most cost-effective is to wait until you are on the ground and simply visit an ATM machine. You'll get the best rate on the currency conversion even though there is a minimal fee on the transaction (the fees are dependent on your particular bank--see info on the Charles Schwab debit card below). But, note that not all ATM machines are created equal. Make sure that you use a machine affiliated with a bank and NOT a Euronet machine (see pic below--zoom in to see logo). They are peppered about all of the touristy areas, charge exorbitant fees, and have terrible rates! Feel free to ask us if you need cash along the way and we will be happy to point out a bank ATM (known as a "Bancomat" in Italy).

Credit Cards

There’s no need to get a new credit card for this trip in particular, but if you plan on traveling more frequently in the coming years, you’ll want to consider a credit card with “No Foreign Transaction Fees” {as otherwise, you will incur a % fee with each transaction abroad} and be up-to-date on both your international and general travel benefits. There are many blogs/sites that weigh the costs & benefits of travel cards. But it could be that you already have a strong travel card in your arsenal. You may just have to dig a little bit to find out what benefits you have on your current card(s).

A few of our favorite travel benefit cards include Chase Sapphire Preferred (the Reserve is their premium card, but Preferred has a very low annual fee with lots of travel benefits), American Express Platinum, Capital One VentureX, and the Charles Schwab Bank Debit Card. 

Tip: Schwab Debit Card — Open a Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking Account, which is basically an online checking account with no minimums and no fees. Schwab will reimburse all ATM transaction fees worldwide, making it easier to withdraw cash only when you need it. When used solely for travel, it also protects you from ATM fraud.

Note that American Express is not accepted across the board in Europe (especially at small shops and restaurants), so if you’re used to using AMEX, make sure that you also have a VISA or MasterCard handy just in case. 

Important: prior to your trip, be sure to contact your credit card companies and the bank that supplies your debit card to let them know when and where you’ll be traveling. It is more common than you would imagine that travelers have their debit cards "eaten" by foreign ATMs because they forgot to let their bank know that they were going to be traveling!

Conversion Rate Strategy

Whether you are withdrawing cash from an ATM or making a purchase from a local shop, if you are given the option to pay in Euro or US dollars, always select a Euro Payment. This ensures that your U.S. bank or credit card company provides the conversion rate versus the merchant's account which will add percentage points to the rate for their benefit. 



This has been a ton of money info, but I think that you will find it helpful as you travel abroad. If you have any questions, please reach out. We are happy to help you!

Allergy/Intolerances

As we continue to put the finishing touches on our Italy tour, we need to know if you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies. If you do, please send me that information in a separate email to info@racquetwar.com.