Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Exchange rate
Though the Czech Republic joined the European Union in
2004, it'll be another few years before they officially begin
using the euro. For now, the Czech Republic continues
to use its traditional currency, the Czech crown (
koruna
,
abbreviated Kč).
17 Czech crowns (Kč) = about $1.
This is the cost of a half-pint of beer.
Although the Czech Republic hasn't officially adopted
the euro, many hotels, restaurants, and shops accept euro bills
(but not coins or large bills). You may even see hotel rooms
or souvenirs priced in euros (€). In this case, remember that
€1 = 24 Kč = about $1.40. If you're using euros, expect bad
rates and your change in the local currency. If you're just
passing through the country, your euros will probably get you
by—and they can actually be helpful in an emergency. But if
you're staying awhile, get the local currency. (To get the latest
rates and print a cheat sheet, see www.oanda.com.)
Fees:
Most credit and debit cards—whether used for pur-
chases or ATM withdrawals—now charge additional, tacked-on
“international transaction” fees of up to 3 percent; some also take
an extra $5 per transaction. To avoid unpleasant surprises, call your
bank or credit-card company before your trip to ask about these
fees. If the fees are too high, consider getting a card just for your
trip: Capital One (www.capitalone.com) and most credit unions
have low-to-no international transaction fees.
If merchants offer to convert your purchase price into dollars
(called dynamic currency conversion), refuse this “service.” You'll
pay even more in fees for the expensive convenience of seeing your
charge in dollars.
If receipts show your credit-card number, don't toss these
thoughtlessly.
Damage Control for Lost Cards
If you lose your credit, debit, or ATM card, you can stop people
from using it by reporting the loss immediately to the respective
global customer-assistance centers. Call these 24-hour US num-
bers collect: Visa (410/581-9994), MasterCard (636/722-7111), and
American Express (623/492-8427).
At a minimum, you'll need to know the name of the finan-
cial institution that issued you the card, along with the type of
card (classic, platinum, or whatever). Providing the following
information will allow for a quicker cancellation of your missing
