Since then I use my American Express Platinum card to pay for almost everything while over there. It’s not accepted everywhere in the U.K., but is widely accepted in the U.S. On top of that I get 1.5% cash back on everything I spend, so it’s a win win situation if I pay off my account in full every month. Restaurants will also allow you to conveniently add your gratuity to the bill. So no more struggling through your purse for the correct amount of bank notes for tips, usually ending up with having to give far too much, or embarrassingly not enough!

I always make sure that I call my credit card company to make them aware of my travel plans. This can save them from flagging your account when purchases all of a sudden are showing in the U.S. and will often leave you without a card until you call them. Not an ideal situation when you’re in the U.S. I always have my reliable old MasterCard with me just in case of such emergencies, but have been lucky so far (touch wood).

You will always need a supply of U.S. Dollars with you for small purchases etc. Paying for a cup of coffee or a bottle of water with a credit card is taking it a bit too far! Buffet restaurants will generally take payment for your food on the way in, so cash for tips are best there too and always appreciated. Some major roads in Orlando have pay tolls which will require coins if they’re unmanned and cash if they’re not, so be prepared for that.

Just make sure that you get your Dollars before leaving the U.K. for convenience, and shop around for the best rate as it can vary. Many places will also buy back any currency left over at the rate you paid when you come back home, which is handy if you come back broke! However if you love Orlando as much as I do, you’ll hang on to those few precious Dollars and start planning your next visit to that wonderful place where happy memories are created!