A credit card in Italy costs among €35 and €110 per year, depending on the type of card and the level of service you choose. Some cards include travel or other forms of insurance, either as part of the annual fee or as an add-on feature.

When you apply for a credit card, you’re required to indicate the bank account you wish to use to pay your monthly balance, and the contract includes a standing order payment to permit the card company to debit payments automatically from your account. You receive a statement of your monthly charges around ten days before the date that the amount due is debited from your account, so you have an opportunity to review the statement and dispute any incorrect payments or charges.

Most credit cards allow you to withdraw cash from ATMs that are part of their network, although there’s a charge for each transaction. It’s sometimes possible to make deferred payments on travel costs (mostly air fares and hotel bills) charged to your card, but only over a few months (normally two or three months maximum). Before obtaining a credit or charge card, compare the costs and benefits.

The monetary unit is the euro in Italy. Travellers cheques are highly recommended as they can be replaced easily if they are either lost or stolen. Your issuing company should be able to get replacements to you within 24 hours. Ensure you keep a record of your cheques serial numbers separate from the cheques themselves.

The commission will be charged when you cash travellers cheques in. Generally, storekeepers and restaurants will not accept travellers cheques so it is advisable to change a limited amount of money when you arrive at the airport. This is especially important if you arrive in Italy on a weekend when all the banks will be closed. You will not find a problem cashing money in the larger cities and towns, but journeying through the more rural areas when you will find yourself many miles from a cash machine or bank, it is advisable to have enough cash on you for the day. The larger hotels will cash your traveller cheques, but you may not get a very good rate of exchange. Try minimising the commissions charged by taking euro travellers cheques rather than dollars or sterling.

It is possible to cash your travellers cheques at all main railway stations and airports. The rates of exchange fluctuate enormously day-to-day. You will find exchange rates listed in all the banks as well as published in the press.

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