1st time buying/using travelers checks

[Kimmie5870]

We are considering buying travelers checks for our upcoming trip to WDW (offsite).I can purchase American EX travelers checks from my bank for 1$ for every 100$. Is this a good price?
Also,I have no clue how these things work.
Can we use them like cash?
If not ,where can we cash them ?
If they are lost/stolen where can we go to get them replaced?

Any answers or tips on using these would be great!Thanks

 

[dis4fun]

We have used them often at WDW. I would say they can be cashed anywhere there is a cash register. You just sign them at the time you use them. They will come with instructions for use and replacement instructions and receipt (keep in a seperate place). We get them free at our bank so I don't know if that is a good price or not.

 

[powellrj]

If you are a member of AAA they are free. There are 2 different kinds, the ones that one person signs and can use and the kind that both people can sign and use. Those are the ones I like to get because DH and I can both use them. It makes it easier. We will usually cash one in and then get change so we have some cash.

 

[helenk]

Generally the cost to purchase travelers checks is 1% of the value so your fee appears to be the going rate.
If you belong to AAA you can get them without paying the fee.
I prefer travelers checks over cash. You can cash them any where in WDW. Your hotel may even cash them for you as well.

 

[NancyIL]

I have used travelers checks before, buying them from AAA for no-fee. However, I'd much rather charge things to a credit card, and take some cash (or use an ATM card to get cash).

 

[Kimmie5870]

Thanks so Much!I have been really worried about what we would do if we had lost or stolen money/debit card.I feel better now, knowing that we can use the travelers checks easily and have them replaced quickly.

 

[TonyS20]

Originally posted by powellrj
There are 2 different kinds, the ones that one person signs and can use and the kind that both people can sign and use. Those are the ones I like to get because DH and I can both use them. It makes it easier.

It was my understanding that the one that had 2 people sign it had to be signed by both people at the time it was used. I asked at the bank if it was like a joint checking account and either person could sign it and they said "no". I'm not looking at taking that much cash - using the reward card for most things, so I didn't question it anymore.

 

[Brian Noble]

We get the "double signature" checks all the time. Either person can countersign it without the other.

If you are a AAA member, you could also consider their "stored value" cards. They are a bit more expensive fees-wise, but very convenient, especially for international travel when you are going to get bitten by some fee somewhere pretty much no matter what you do.

 

[helenk]

TonyS20

The travelers checks that have both signatures can be used by either person. Both parties sign them when you purchase them, but once you have them in hand they do not have to be signed by both parties when you are going to cash them in.
The idea is that you do not have to be together, but you do not have to buy separate travelers checks.
My husband I used them when we went on our cruise and it worked out nicely if I wanted to shop and he just wanted to relax on the ship

 

[TonyS20]

Thanks for setting me straight! Maybe since my DH was not standing next to me, they assumed I meant that he could sign them later. Who knows!! I made a comment to the bank manager that I didn't think that made a lot of sense and he offered to pull me the paperwork for them. I was in a hurry so I declined.

I looked on the American Express website and saw that either person could sign it when it was used. Sometimes, it is better to go to the source!

 

[pampam]

I use American Express travelers checks. I get them fee free at my bank. One time I was in Florida about an hour, and I lost them. I felt sick. My whole trip was destroyed. Phoned them up, and by 9:30 the next morning I had replacements in hand. It was just like the commercials. I love them, and I won't leave on a trip without them. Use them like cash. On site I have never been asked for id. Off site sometimes I need identification. I usually cash what I think I will need for the day at the front desk. I find they are a great way to keep track of how much I have spent, and help me budget.

 

[dana0069]

I only bought travellers cheque's once, and never again.

they may accept them easily while in WDW., but try to use them outside of the parks, the smaller stores refused them all together. the bigger store's who did accept them wanted as much i.d. as the airport going thru customs..!!! what a pain .
Ya there great if you loose them, they can be replaced..etc..etc..
But for the aggrevation, not worth it imo.
I carry good old cash for now on.
dana0069

 

[riopooh]

It cuts down the inconvenience of cashing tc at off site places if you get different denominations - they range from 5 x $20 paks to 1 x $1000 paks. I could understand some smaller place not wanting to make change on a larger tc.