Page 180 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Boston

178  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Banking and Currency Credit Cards and
Debit Cards
Throughout Boston there are various places to access and American Express, VISA,
exchange your money, from the numerous banks and ATMs MasterCard, Diner’s Club, and
to the foreign currency exchanges. The most important the Discover Card, as well as
things to remember are not to carry all your money and most debit cards, are accepted
almost everywhere in Boston,
credit cards with you at one time, and to be aware that from theaters and hotels to
most banks and currency exchanges are closed on Sundays. restaurants and shops.
Besides being a much safer
alternative to carrying a lot of
shopping districts – may cash, credit and debit cards
have extended opening offer some useful additional
hours. Among the best-known benefits, such as insurance on
companies are American your purchases and access to
Express Travel Service and the daily exchange rate. They
Travelex Currency Services, are also essential if you want
both of which have several to reserve a hotel or book a
branches in and around rental car. Credit cards can also
Boston. Most currency be useful in emergencies when
exchanges charge a fee or cash may not be readily available.
commission, so it is worth Before traveling it would
One of Bank of America’s many branches looking around to get the be wise to phone your card
in Boston best value rates. Hotels may provider and inform them
also exchange money, but that you will be abroad, or you
Banking and Currency their fees will usually be risk finding that your card gets
Exchange much more expensive. blocked when you start using
Boston has branches of it in Boston.
numerous national banking
chains, including Bank of ATMs DIRECTORY
America, Citizens Bank, and ATMs (cash machines) can
TD Bank. Most banks are open be found throughout Boston. Banking and
Monday through Friday from They are usually located near Currency Exchange
9am to 5pm, although some the entrance to banks, and American Express
may open earlier and close later. sometimes inside convenience Travel Service
Most banks also open Saturday stores and supermarkets. The 155 Federal St.
mornings from 9am to noon most widely accepted types Map 2 D4.
or 1pm. All banks of bank cards include Tel (617) 439-4400.
are closed on Cirrus, Plus, NYCE,
Sundays and and some credit Bank of America
100 Federal St.
Federal holidays cards such as VISA Map 2 D4.
(see p39). and MasterCard. Tel (617) 434-3412.
Always ask if Note that a fee ∑ bankofamerica.com
there are any may be levied
special fees or on your cash Citizens Bank
commission charges withdrawal 73 Tremont St.
before you make your depending on Map 1 C5.
transaction. At most American Express the bank. Before Tel (617) 422-8295.
∑ citizensbank.com
banks, traveler’s checks charge cards you travel, ensure
in U.S. dollars can be you check with TD Bank
cashed with any form of photo your bank which machines 579 Boylston St.
identification, although a your card can access and Map 1 A5.
passport is usually required the various fees charged. Tel (617) 266-0740.
if you want to exchange any To minimize the risk of ∑ tdbank.com
foreign money. Foreign currency robbery, always be aware of Travelex Currency Services
exchange is available at the your surroundings and the Logan Airport, Terminal E.
main branches of large banks, people around you when Tel (617) 567-1030.
which often have a separate using an ATM. Avoid using ∑ travelex.com
dedicated area or teller window ATMs in isolated areas. Make
for foreign exchange. sure you shield your PIN and,
Foreign currency exchanges if available, use a machine
are generally open weekdays located within a bank. Be
from 9am to 5pm, but some – careful when removing your
especially those in busy card from the machine.

178-179_EW_Boston.indd 178 09/01/17 12:15 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm