Going to England for 5 weeks. Best way to keep money?

[idnami]

Hi! I have never traveled overseas before and I am getting a bit confused. I have a prepaid Mastercard and a PC financial bank account. I am told that my bank card may or may not work at some machines. Neither of the cards can be replaced while I am there so if they were lost I would be screwed. Traveler's checks seem unwieldy somehow.
I am having a nightmare vision of wandering around London from machine to machine and having no way to draw cash, then getting robbed of my Mastercard and being stuck there for 5 weeks w/no money. Eek!
I am going alone so I may be a bit paranoid. Advice?

[agnelson]

Your bank will know if your ATM card is accepted in England, and can probably tell you where ATMs are located. That is why ATMs are networked (the little symbols on the back of your card tell you which).

I would be using the Mastercard strictly for purchases, as you will likely be hit wih double or triple fees using that at an ATM. Stick with one less fee using your bank ATM card.

If I were you I'd be getting Pound travellers cheques.

[idnami]

My bank says some machines do and some don't. Travellers checks are better are they? I am starting to think so too.

[agnelson]

Yup. If you had a good credit card (you obviously don't since it is pre-paid), then I might use this more, and would probably have it such that some fees are waived, but you don't have such luxury.

TCs are best.

[scooterlad75]

As with some master card / visa cards here that are pre paid, they act more as a debit card (bank card) rather than a credit card, most machines will take, mainly bigger banks like ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND, which are everywhere, and not all machines charge. Be worth checking with your card issuer if there is any fees, which im sure there will be. If you lose that card and you;re knackered, it only seems right to have a back up, get travellers cheques, if you lose them they can be replaced. Again major banks and post office (main ones) will help.