Currency exchange while traveling: why do some still carry wads of cash? (page 22 of 28)

I think you might’ve skimmed a bit too quickly.

That’s too bad.

Agnès, even if you’re giving me the cold shoulder, I still want to clarify things so there’s no confusion. I never said I was right to pay everything in cash except for my online purchases. I’ve always wanted to know the advantages of paying or withdrawing with bank cards. I won’t find out from you since you refuse to tell me the specific Fortuneo card you use (and that’s a real shame on a forum where exchanges can be super helpful). So far, based on my extensive research (aside from private banks for the ultra-rich), the rest proves me right given the hidden or not-so-hidden fees. I recently did a test—I have an account at La Banque Postale, which doesn’t have its own ATMs in my area. I made more than 3 withdrawals without fees at Crédit Agricole (the only ATM around), and boom—I was charged for those withdrawals. So I continue to make large withdrawals ordered at my bank’s counter, which forces me to have an account at another bank that has safes I rent for next to nothing per year to store my cash in case my original bank goes bankrupt and only reimburses me up to the legal limit of 100,000 € (and I’d lose the rest). Or in case ATMs are all blocked during a war, for example. Last thing: If I withdraw 20,000, 40,000, or 80,000 € or more in cash from my bank, just so twisted minds don’t think it’s dirty money or fraud, you should know that these sums come from my account, from my savings declared when they were deposited by my employers or life insurance providers, and part of the inheritance my parents left me when they passed away too soon (so this sum comes from my notary and was officially recorded at the time). That’s for those who watch too many movies or make up other people’s lives. 😄

I think you skimmed it.

That’s too bad.

If I did skim it like you say (which is possible, given how many messages there were), since we’re on a friendly exchange forum, would you be kind enough to share the name of the card you use with Fortuneo—either publicly or privately? I’m sure it’d be helpful to plenty of other members besides me too. 😁

So, since we're on a friendly exchange forum, would you be kind enough to share—publicly or privately—the name of the card you use with Fortuneo??

With you, I won’t know since you refuse to tell me which specific Fortuneo card you have.

Then if you’re acting like Attila, who won’t say exactly which card she has with Fortuneo,

That link is very informative—we learn you’re a woman who once changed her male username. That your bank card is Fortuneo, but you don’t specify which one.

Thanks for telling us the name of that card.

Please enlighten the members of this forum by finally telling us which fee-free card you use and which bank it’s from—thank you!!!

Could you clearly state which one(s) are your current bank card(s) that have no withdrawal or payment fees, so everyone here can benefit?

In short, can you finally tell us the name of this (these) card(s)?

I’ve compiled more info.

@Attila Seriously... can’t you do something? Attila, do something. Attila, I’m sure you can answer! Attila, won’t you make an effort?

Attila? ATTILA?? ATTI.. schcrttt dzing WIZZ BOOM!! 🤪

Still, there’s a super useful link for travelers in this discussion.

Plus, it’s been updated! 😛

And not just that...

Here, I’ll share it again—just for you! 😉

Hey there, my favorite detective 😄 (cardboard version) 😉

Since we have to repeat ourselves and take the time to explain things like we’re talking to kids 🤪, over 7 years ago Attila asked the question and wondered why some people (many, in fact) pay for everything in cash during their trips, exaggerating about suitcases full of money (even though large bills exist) 🤪.

I’m asking her to share the name of her bank card with US—something normal in a peer-to-peer forum—so I can finally answer, 7 years later, why we prefer cash given the hidden (or not-so-hidden) fees tied to those cards she uses but won’t admit to. 😉 She refuses, and I know why (oh yes, my dear).

And I’ll take advantage of your follow-up investigation 😏 to add: I can’t even imagine what would happen in case of war, cyberattacks on banks, or simply a total collapse of France’s electrical system—how will the millions of French people who’ll be scrambling to find working ATMs (with no money left to eat) manage?

And worse, what about all those online banks with no physical branches, most of which are based abroad? How will their customers even eat the day the whole system crashes—whether intentionally by an enemy (which could happen at any moment, be it the Russians, Islamists, etc.) or otherwise?

Let me laugh at the idea that you all live in a fantasy world 😆

Let me laugh at seeing you all live in la-la land 😂

If customs or the police catch you carrying a large sum in cash, you know you can be held in custody for that? And charged with money laundering. Whether you carry cash or not while traveling is a question that really comes up if you're going to a country with high inflation like Argentina—not the case in European countries.

Let me have a good laugh seeing you all live in la-la land 😄

If customs or the police catch you carrying a large sum in cash, you know you can be held in custody for that? And charged with money laundering. Whether you carry cash or not while traveling is a question that comes up if you're going to a country with high inflation like Argentina, which isn’t the case for European countries.

Oh really?? I didn’t know that. 😅 I also didn’t know I could carry up to 10,000 € in cash while traveling. Actually, I don’t know anything 😄, so thank you so much for enlightening me—especially about this supposed money laundering when the money simply comes from my bank account (so it’s traced and completely transparent). You’re really invaluable to this forum 🙏

It’s yours, but you can’t necessarily do whatever you want with it, so yeah

Again, why wouldn’t you be able to do what you want with your own money? Sure, in France—unless you’re making under-the-table purchases—you can’t exceed a certain amount when paying in cash, but you can always withdraw everything from your account in cash at any time. If the amount is significant, you just have to state what you plan to do with it on the questionnaire (personally, I always answer: "live without paying with my bank card"), and the bank shuts up. 😏 I remember not too long ago when I used to withdraw 20,000 € in 200 € bills every week to keep it flat. 😏 After several withdrawals, the bank teller counting the stacks with me in a private office said: "Aren’t you afraid to walk around with all that cash?" My answer left her stunned, I think. "Ma’am, if something happens to me, I’ll turn to you because as of today, you’re the only person who knows about it." 😂

You have to answer questions, so you’re not completely free to do what you want.

You can’t just give it to someone else—you have to declare it and pay taxes. They can ask you questions about a withdrawal, and some banks limit transfers.

It’s yours, but you can’t necessarily do whatever you want with it, so yeah.

Again, why couldn’t you do whatever you want with your own money? Sure, in France, outside of under-the-table purchases, you can’t exceed a certain amount when paying in cash, but you can withdraw everything from your account at any time in cash. If the amount is significant, you just have to state what you plan to do with it on the questionnaire (personally, I always answer: "live without paying with my debit card"), and the bank shuts up. 😏 I remember not so long ago when I used to withdraw 20,000 € every week in 200 € bills to keep it flat. 😏 After several withdrawals, the bank teller counting the stacks with me in a private office said: "Aren’t you afraid to walk around with all that cash?" My answer left her stunned, I think. "Ma’am, if something happens to me, I’ll turn to you because, as of today, you’re the only person who knows about it." 😂

You have to answer questions, so you’re not completely free to do what you want.

You can’t just give it to someone else—you have to declare it and pay taxes. They can ask you questions about a withdrawal, and some banks limit transfers.

No, my dear, not *questions* with an S—just one, which I already find intrusive because the bank teller asking me shouldn’t forget she’s paid with *my* money and that of others. It’s true I have that obligation, but it’s my right to tell her I’ll live off that sum without getting fleeced by ATMs and struggling to find the cheapest option. And if I want to give some to someone, who’s going to stop me? You and your somewhat nitpicky replies? As for transfers, I’ve never made any. It’s crazy how people love to bow down when they’re not even obligated to. Pffffffffff

It’s yours, but you can’t necessarily do what you want with it, so yeah

Once again, why couldn’t you do what you want with your own money?? Sure, in France—unless it’s under the table—you can’t exceed a certain amount when paying in cash, but you can withdraw everything from your account at any time. If the sum is large, you just have to state what you plan to do with it on the form (personally, I always answer: "live without paying with my bank card"), and the bank shuts up. 😏 I remember not too long ago when I used to withdraw 20,000 euros every week in 200-euro bills to keep it flat. 😏 After several withdrawals, the bank teller counting the stacks with me in a private office said: "Aren’t you afraid to walk around with all that cash?" My answer left her speechless, I think: "Ma’am, if something happens to me, I’ll come to you because as of today, you’re the only one who knows about it." 😄

You have to answer questions, so you’re not completely free to do what you want.

You can’t just give it to someone else—you have to declare it and pay taxes. They can ask questions about withdrawals, and some banks limit transfers.

No, my dear, not *questions* with an ‘s’—just one, which I already find intrusive because the teller asking me is paid with my money and everyone else’s. Sure, I have that obligation, but it’s my right to tell her I’m using the cash to live without getting fleeced by ATMs or struggling to find the cheapest option. And if I want to give some to someone, who’s going to stop me? You and your nitpicky answers? As for transfers, I’ve never made one. It’s crazy how people love to bow down when they don’t have to—ugh.

And the worst part is that those who bow down want to force others to do the same, just because it annoys them that we don’t follow their lead. You’re a perfect example. I’ll never accept being a sheep.

After whether to carry cash or not while traveling, the question arises if you're going to a country with high inflation like Argentina

For Argentina, there was the option of wiring money to yourself via Western Union.

But apparently, it's no longer the jackpot it once was.

These kinds of countries are complicated. Personally, it’s a deterrent for me (on top of the flight ticket cost...).

The only time I was forced to do this was in Myanmar. Luckily, accommodations had been paid in advance! That saved me from carrying a suitcase of bills... But the result was that we limited our spending at the start of the trip out of fear we hadn’t taken enough...

This obsession with carrying stacks of cash 😏 Did you know that 10,000 € in 200 € bills takes up less than half a centimeter when stashed in an ultra-flat, secure money belt hidden in your underwear?

You who know Colombia... I walked from San Agustín to Popayán over three long days, passing by the sources of the Magdalena River. Back then, there wasn’t a single road... In San Agustín, they told me the area was full of bandits, so I hid my dollars in plastic bags inside the soles of my shoes—not in a fanny pack! 😏

You who know Colombia... I walked on foot over three long days from San Agustín to Popayán, passing by the sources of the Magdalena River. At the time, there was no road at all... In San Agustín, they told me the area was full of bandits, so I hid my dollars in plastic bags inside the soles of my shoes—not in a fanny pack! 😏

Hey! Yeah, I spent six years in northern Colombia (the Caribbean side). But I never once visited the tourist spots—my approach is totally different. In Popayán, I only know the *Monumental* bullring. Personally, it’s a fanny pack that blocks bank data theft—I keep it in my underwear and, of course, sleep with it. 😄 In Colombia or anywhere else, I play the "out of sight, out of mind" game with money (I’ve got stacks on me, but no one knows). Of course, I keep a small amount to hand over in case of a robbery, but it’s not a big deal for me—being a former delinquent, I’ve got it under control. I see and sense things, and usually, anyone who might’ve wanted to rob me ends up becoming my buddy. Otherwise, avoid scopolamine blown in your face or slipped into a drink—don’t let go of your glass or keep your distance when someone’s talking to you, like animals do. Your shoe idea isn’t bad, but if they’re luxury shoes, you’ll get noticed and come back barefoot since everything gets stolen. 😄 The most common thefts are still foreigners’ and locals’ phones, and people being followed after withdrawing from ATMs. Last tip: always leave before the end of a concert, festival, local carnival, or anything else—even lie to your Colombian friends, like "I’m gonna pee," but actually bail. 😄 Personally, I trust no one, and when I leave, I always make a (fake) detour while checking my rearview mirror—voilà! 😏

All this gives me a bit of a "feverish" feeling, you know?

10,000 euros in 200-euro bills is less than half a centimeter thick

A bank card is even thinner...

I’m not old enough (or young enough...) for diapers.

Especially not for 10,000 €.

Anyway, spending 10,000 € on a single trip isn’t even on my radar.

Suitcases stuffed with bills?

10,000 euros in 200-euro bills is less than half a centimeter thick

A bank card is even thinner...

I'm no longer at (or not yet at...) the diaper stage.

Even less so with 10,000 €.

Anyway, spending 10,000 € on a single trip is something I don’t even consider.

Hey chamelle 😄 (chamelle being an affectionate term where I’m from) You’re really nitpicking—I’ve never taken 10,000 euros abroad, but for example, 10 million Colombian pesos in 2020 (around 2,000 to 3,000 € for 40-45 days, which is fine). And for a little story about paying in cash everywhere: I remember a food shop in an airport—I don’t recall where—I bought something like a mixed salad for 15 €. The seller refused cash, so I put the salad back and was about to leave. He called me back: "How much do you have on you?" I said 10 €. The guy took it 😄, and I ended up eating for less than if I’d paid by card. 🤑

Diapers stuffed with bills?

No, Betty, that’s some next-level madness, you know?