Page 208 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - New Orleans

206  Sur viv al guide

Banking and Currency transaction. Make sure, too,
that you can remember your
Throughout New Orleans, there are various places to PIN (Personal Identification
access and exchange your money. Banks are open during Number). The largest ATM
the week, and there are also numerous aTMs. Foreign systems are Plus and Cirrus,
currency can be exchanged for a fee in many banks and which accept VISA, American
Express, and MasterCard, as well
major hotels, but exchange rates tend to be high. For as a number of US bank cards.
the best rates, withdraw uS currency directly from your ATMs give you 24­hour
account using an aTM. Prepaid debit cards are available access to your cash; however,
in lieu of traveler’s checks; however, there may be high do take care when using them
fees. The best option is to carry debit and credit cards in deserted areas, especially
after dark, and always be
to make purchases and withdraw cash.
vigilant of people around you.
Credit and Debit Cards
Credit and debit cards are part
of everyday life in New Orleans,
just as they are in other parts
of the country. The most
widely accepted credit cards in
the US are VISA, MasterCard,
American Express, and
Discover Card.
Besides being a more
convenient and much safer
alternative to carrying a lot of
ATMs outside a branch of Hancock Bank, New Orleans cash, credit cards also offer
some useful additional
Banks and Bureaux bills no larger than $20 or $50, benefits, such as insurance on
de Change
since many businesses are your purchases. They are also
Banks are generally open from unable to accept $100 bills. essential if you want to reserve
9am to 4pm Monday to Friday. a hotel room or book a rental
There are some, however, that car, and can be useful in
open as early as 8:30am and ATMs emergencies, when cash
stay open until 5pm. Most banks in New Orleans may not be readily available.
Traveler’s checks issued in US have automated teller machines Prepaid debit cards, such as
dollars can be cashed at most (ATMs) in their lobbies or in VISA’s TravelMoney Card, are
banks and exchange bureaux, an external wall. ATMs can also increasingly being used to
as long as you have some form be found in various rest aurants replace traveler’s checks;
of photographic ID, such as a and bars around they are available
passport or a driver’s license. town, mainly in at many grocery
The front desk of your hotel the French and convenience
might also be able to exchange Quarter. These stores through­
traveler’s checks into cash. machines enable out the city.
Always ask about commission you to withdraw Note that these
fees before any transaction, US bank notes, cards may carry
as these can vary greatly. usually $20 bills, high fees.
A currency exchange counter directly from your A similar service
is usually available at the main bank or credit card American Express is offered by
branches of large banks. Banks account at charge cards Thomas
open to the general public home. Be aware, Cook’s Travel
include Capital One and however, that Moneycard. Thomas Cook can
Whitney. Numerous branches a fee might be levied on your also issue foreign currency as
of these can be found in the withdrawal, depending on the cash or traveler’s checks.
French Quarter, the Central bank; it is advisable to check
Business District, and along the bank’s policy before going Money Transfers
St. Charles Avenue. There is a ahead with your transaction.
bureau de change at the airport, Before leaving home, ask your In an emergency, it is possible
but exchange rates tend to credit card company or bank to have money wired to you
be better at banks. which American ATM systems from almost anywhere in the
When changing money, be or banks will accept your card, world via Western Union or
sure to request US currency in and check the cost of each MoneyGram.

206-207_EW_New_Orleans.indd 206 14/08/14 12:33 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm