CE16 Bringing $$$ to Celebration/Paying for Things

Hey all, does anybody have any idea how best to pay for things I buy at Celebration? Autographs are going to be my biggest expense for this trip. I'm from the USA and not sure whether I should convert a bunch of my American dollars over to European currency (British Pounds) or if I'll be fine by just bringing my credit card and debit card along. I wanna make sure I have enough money for everything. In the scenario that my credit card or debit card don't work, then I'd have physical currency as a backup. How does one go about this? If you all could please share your opinions and/or advice, that'd be greatly appreciated!

 

I'd say if you have a card that won't charge for foreign transactions then you'll be fine doing most purchases on card. Just make sure you bring some cash (££) for smaller traders or food stalls in case some don't take card.

 

Most credit cards charge 1.5% or so for international transaction when not used in your home country. That depends of course on your bank, so make sure to check up on that.
There are ATMs inside the convention centre, but I can imagine there will be queues for them all the time.

 

Yeah, there were long lines for the ATMs at the last CE in ExCel. If you have to draw money, try to find an ATM before you go (like near your hotel). Even better, try to find a NatWest Bank branch - they don't charge a fee for cards that aren't from their bank.
Also if you don't normally use your cards overseas, be sure to let the card providers know you will be traveling so they don't stop your cards for suspected fraud.

 

Unlike in the US, no UK bank branch charge a fee for using their machines with another UK banks card (as far as I'm aware at least), the only ones in the UK that do are privately owned and they will tell you when you go to take out money, they usually charge between £1.50 and £3 depending on how greedy the company that owns it is.

You always get charged for drawing money out on a credit card (by the card company) and the interest rates on cash withdrawals are sky high.
You always get charged an exchange fee for drawing money out overseas (either from a checking/current account or on a credit card).

For someone coming to the UK I recommend getting cash exchanged in advance, bring as much as you feel comfortable carrying and then use your credit cards as much as possible. Try to avoid withdrawing cash in a foreign country, the rates are not favourable at all.

 

I've brought a piece of art- The Ahsoka one, and was wondering how much I'll be charged. It was $66 dollars on the website but it'll be being charged to a UK bank account. Do they convert it? Using the current rate? So about £49?

Anyone help?

 

Yes