Money change

And you knew that the OP was from England or the US HOW, E_A? There is NOTHING in his post that tells one that. He DOES, however, ask if USD or Pounds Sterling is the best way to go. Therefore I responded to both scenarios, i.e. as if he were English OR American.

I'm NOT a rocket scientist, but I can read. <blockquote>Quote
<hr>Can anyone tell me what the best type of traveller cheque is to take to Cuba? Pound Sterling or US Dollar (issued in the UK) and what is the best type of cash (again - $ or £)?<hr></blockquote>

There are four SEPARATE elements in that ONE sentence that you can see as clearly as I. One is obvious. There are lots of Brits here in Boston, Pelo, but they dont look & sound like Bostonians unless they try hard; they dont compose the same way, either.

"Where's that frikken 'Pound Sign' on MY keyboard?" LOL

I have come to learn that there is NOTHING anyone can say that will move you from any position you have chosen to champion, E_A.

Once you have made up your mind, you cannot be confused with facts. George Bush would be proud of you.

btw, ARE there still 2 weekly Virgin flights to Cuba? Are they still 747s? Or, it that "747s full of Americans" ?

I know you're an American, Pelo. So am I. But let's NOT presume that anyone in the UK or writing in English is an American, fer chissakes: check your presumptions, and spare us the Duales twaddle next time, PLEASE.

And you know, for someone who gets so snotty & churlish when Canadians post on Yank money threads, you're an awfully presumptuous, boorish, arrogant American on this one.

Why not start trolling for Duales, Pelo? (Or have you already? Jejeje) Something like:

"Hi, my name is Julie! This is my first trip to Cuba from London, um, ENGLAND, that's right. I'm soooo very worried about getting robbed, and I have this American credit card thingy, should I get Duales? You know, DUALES that wonderful low cost debit card for Americ-- I mean BRITS, like ME! I've heard its the bestest way to make sure I wont get ROBBED and be forced to eat cats like I read on Thorntree! Thanks, gotta run. Toodles!"

---Cue to pelodorado---
"Why, thanks Julie! As a matter of fact..." Then you offer your non-shill, non-commercial boilerplate spiel, like always. LOL

Please tell us all, E_A, what are the OTHER debit card options available to Americans in Cuba?

Please tell all the Americans here what other options they have if they run out of money in Cuba?

We are waiting for your response, even though it's a rhetorical question, niño.

Ahem. You're the reprobate here, bud. And one again, you've hijacked yet another thread: the OP (and anyone changing GBP>CUC) doesnt care about your Duales ripoff...

Why dont YOU keyword search ("prepaid Visa debit card" AND offshore) for yourself? Just like you "discovered" a currency exchange website 6 months ago, you can "discover" that offshore debit cards (for US & non-US customers) EXIST! And then loudly announce it to everyone, daily. Duales isnt the first, but probably is one of the most expensive.

"How many offshore debit cards are there, dozens?" is the rhetorical retort. Here's ONE option. These cards can be denominated in USD, GBP, Euros etc. and are NOT limited to use in Cuba. Unlike that sucky & expensive Duales card.

Pelodorado, as I've said before you've been LYING on this forum for years, telling everyone that Duales is the ONLY debit card available for Americans' use in Cuba. It is NOT. Your scaremongering is obvious; your advice is perpetually misleading, deceitful. And should be debunked. Other (probably much better!) options are available: anyone really needing a debit card should ignore your counsel & promptly look elsewhere.

Its not my job to spam credit/debit card alternatives here. Unlike you, I am NOT a corporate shill & advertiser on Thorntree. I do believe you should be banned (yet again!) for unceasingly posting COMMERCIAL promos, as you have here for years. Goodnight, tonto.

For the OP:

UK residents (and others) should check to see that their bank cards will work in Cuba; some US subsidiary/affiliates are blocked too. OTOH, you CAN purchase a Lloyds TSB Travel Money Card for £7.50, pre-loaded with between £150 - £3000 in euros or US dollars. (With all conversion fees, transaction costs are about 3.5% on a £1000.)

An even cheaper deal for those in Oz, the ANZ Travel Card must be purchased IN Australia but can be reloaded by Internet, and doesnt indicate nationality/residency restrictions. (With no POS conversion fees, less than 2% on AUS$ 1,000.?!) Actually, a number of countries have forex E-Money cards for their residents who travel; unfortunately (deliberately?), the USA does NOT.

See how ridiculously EXPENSIVE Duales is, compared to that : 18%! (USD$177. to send $1,000.)

And you were doing so well, E_A.

With Duales, $1155 USD nets you $1000 CUC. That's 13.5%

While your kind assistance to the english and Aussies who already have multiple other options, I'm still awaiting your announcement of an alternative for Americans that's better than Duales in any way.