Sunday, February 4, 2007

If you're going on a trip, money will change hands. Here are a few sites that can help you spend it wisely.

· Currency converters

{scheck} OANDA ( http://www.oanda.com) offers the usual currency conversions and historic tables, but it also has a section geared to travelers. The site allows tourists to create their own printable "currency cheat sheet," and you can personalize the exchange rates based on whether you plan to use mostly credit cards or cash.

{scheck} Travelex, one of the largest currency exchange companies, powers http://www.travelexmoney.co.uk. Its tourist rates reflect a more realistic view, compared with official rates, of what a traveler may get at a bank, currency exchange place or a hotel for $1 cash. For example, it recently posted a rate of 0.47 British pound per $1, while other sites were giving a 0.53 rate.

{scheck} At Gocurrency.com ( http://www.gocurrency.com/travelers-corner.htm), you can create a personalized pocket-size currency converter.

{scheck} The Universal Currency Converter at http://www.xe.com/ucc is a good choice for an instant look at the going interbank rates.

· ATM locators

{scheck} Visa ( http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/global) has a directory of more than a million ATMs in about 160 countries. You can search by country and city or by Zip code. An advanced search option allows you to display (with maps) ATMs that are open 24 hours, are wheelchair-accessible, have PIN-change capabilities or are Braille-compatible. You can also search by airport location.

{scheck} MasterCard ( http://www.mastercard.com/atmlocator) posts a directory of more than a million ATMs in about 210 countries. You can search by address or Zip code and can request drive-through, wheelchair-accessible, 24-hour or surcharge-free ATMs. You can also search by airport or attraction.

-- Carol Sottili