American Express Travelers Check Card

[dsnygirl2006]

Good Morning...
Just wondering if anyone has used this before? If so do you recommend using this over just your regular checking acct. card? My problem is..I want a set amount to take and I do not want to go over that amount...so using my bank card might not be a good idea.... Leaving in 10 days...whoo hoo.... Any suggestions would be great...thanks
Kristy

 

[sulleyfan]

I used something similar when I went in February. I used a prepaid Visa from my bank, I just told them how much I wanted on it and they filled it with that amount. Was definitely good for sticking to a set amount. And I still had my check card just in case I needed it for something

 

[ZoZo]

I think it's a great idea. Much more convenient than travelers checks (although it would be harder to keep track of how much you're spending) and less "tempting" than using an ATM card.

 

[EpcotGuy]

I've used it on my past 2 trips and found it very convienient.

 

[kimbac3]

I was thinking of using a visa gift card too. I used my debit card last trip and when I got home I had to enter ALL my transactions onto my computer check register (Microsoft Money). It was crazy!! Plus if something got double or even triple billed it could mess up all my bills too. The con with the prepaid card is that I still need to keep a running balance going every night. That way I'll start the day fresh with my current balance. I also thought about cash..but that's just too much of a headache!
I'm thinking of getting visa gift cards for each of the kids too - for their spending money.
Of course I'm still unsure exactly what I'm going to do at this point
Kimba

 

[binkyboots]

I have one and used it on our last trip, it's fab!

so convienient, and it made it really easy to budget.

I'm not sure if it's the same in america, but at the moment in the uk when you register for a card and top it up at first choice with (I think) £600 you get $200 extra free!

 

[almburr]

We have used the visa check cards before, but that was a few years ago, maybe the rules have changed because when we had ours after a certain amount of transaction they deduct 50cents for each transaction after. We had used the card at another store and i knew there was $$ on it still but thet said it would not go through, had to pay cash. I called the service number. They told me all the trasactions i had used our hotel was deducted 2x. They told me that was not uncommon hotels want to make sure they get thier $$. DH said we are never using that again.

 

[tiggerstail]

I used it on the last trip a few months ago, it was very convienient, each time I went to get cash there was a 2.00 atm fee, so I took out cash for a couple of days at a time, it worked so great. Very easy to use and keep track of how much you are spending. My mom got one to useon their trip coming up next week. We'd both recommend it.

 

[plotmom]

I used the Amex travel card last trip and loved it so much that I ordered one yesterday for our upcoming trip. The added bonus last time was that we ended up have some money left over on the card (still not sure how we left Disney ahead of the game) so I saved it for purchases that I didn't necessarily want DH knowing about (LOL).

 

[kimbac3]

I used the Amex travel card last trip and loved it so much that I ordered one yesterday for our upcoming trip. The added bonus last time was that we ended up have some money left over on the card (still not sure how we left Disney ahead of the game) so I saved it for purchases that I didn't necessarily want DH knowing about (LOL).

OK, So now I'm not sure what to do. I heard good things, bad things..I'm so confused!!
Anyone have anything else to offer on this topic????
Kimba