File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Leaving for JFK at noon on Monday, will leave for Ireland Monday night at 9:40 at night. My bank fucked me over and has no way of notifying them of international travel, my credit card company is the same. I'm there for two weeks and I hear usually they'll de-activate accounts for about a week if you don't/can't notify them... should I just use an ATM and withdraw 600 Euro and make due with it for the trip or should I actually suck it up? I don't get a chance to hit Galway after the first week so I was a bit worried (gifts for the family and what-not).

Basically, any financial advice about banks/credit cards that are being a pain in the ass?
>> Anonymous
what do you mean de-activate accounts?

i've been abroad for extended periods of time and not had problems using credit/atm cards
>> Anonymous
>>24462
By de-activate account I mean suspect card fraud and in turn not authorize any charges. I'm calling HSBC again this weekend during their saturday morning hours to try to remedy this.
>> Anonymous
>>24466

Go to an HSBC bank in New York. There are quite a few in the city.
>> Anonymous
>>24480
Should I do that or just withdraw my 150 Euros or so (Should be good for two weeks with only having to buy lunch, tips, tours, and drinks, right?) and gamble on my credit card then withdraw payment when I come back or place the call? I don't think I'll have time to wander around NYC and let it be known I'll be out. I did use the bank mail on my online banking account to notify them.
>> Anonymous
>>24483
You're going to Europe. The credit card is for backup or expensive diners, you pay with cash and use the ATM's.

So yeah, just bring along enough cash and put in safe storage in your hotel?
>> Anonymous
>>24483
There is no way 150 Euro will be good for ONE week, let alone two.

1. New York is an expensive city
2. The Euro is strong, but not THAT strong
>> Anonymous
>>24567
150 euro not good enough for just drinks and lunches at best? Really? Breakfasts and dinner are included in the agency's prices, so I was figuring just eat a slightly larger breakfast.

Also, I was curious, what's the courtesy for buying drinks for someone? Common, good way to spark conversation, something I should do as a foreigner? Just looking for different ways to talk with the locals and enjoy the experience the best I can. Hoping to get some good music too if possible and enjoy the growing art scene and vibrancy (I'll be in Galway, Wateford, Sligo, Antrim, plenty of places).