For security reasons, many business travellers choose to pay by debit or credit cards which may also be used to obtain cash from ATPs. The Bank or other supplier of the card will make a charge for this.
There are alternatives which are widely used – money may be taken in the form of sterling or foreign currency in cash or as travellers cheques.
Currency is obviously the most convenient, as it is ready to use, but as such can easily be lost or stolen and if business travellers are not insured against this happening, there is no recompense. Even where money has been insured, there may be no immediate replacement of cash until after the client has returned home and completed the appropriate claims form.
You should always remind your customers of the dangers of taking large amounts of cash abroad with them, and that the insurers will require some evidence of the loss by means of a Police report and a report from the hotel manager.
Information on foreign currencies is freely available from the following sources:
- Exchange Bureaux
- TMCs database
- High street Banks
- Travel Trade Press
- Specialist suppliers
- The Post Office
- Travel Agents
Many supermarket chains and Department Stores also offer a foreign exchange service.
Lists of many countries of the world and the currency regulations applying to them may be found in the D & G Guide to international travel, which is now part of the D & G Flight Guide.