American Express Travellers CHQ Card?

mushumadness · Jan 30, 2006

Hiya

Ok I have read a few things on here about the card you can use instead of cheques. Will someone give me a run down of it?

If I get one it will be the back end of march,

thanx for any help

mickg7dyd · Jan 30, 2006

Hi,
We used the Amex TC cards (one each) on our last trip. If you get them when a travel agency has an offer running you get free $'s added to your card (in our case we loaded the cards with $2000 and got $250 free) This was the only reason we bothered with the card because the free $'s made the rate so good. We had no problems using the card although you do have to be careful to keep your receipts so you know how much of your funds you have used. To be honest if you manage to get one when the free $'s offer is available there is no better deal imho.

Mick.

:smooth:

jtlover · Jan 31, 2006

It is a shame you cant get one before the end of February - First Choice have an offer on at the moment which is buy $1000 dollars get $100 free and there is no charge for the card (which is usually £20).

You load it with the $ and you pay the rate on the day you buy them. You just pay a small fee if you draw out cash with the card, but you can use it like a credit/debit card to pay for things too.

It is better than taking cash and loosing it and American Express is the recognised card in Disney. If you dont spend all the money you can either leave it on the card or come back and draw it out in pounds at home. The card is valid for 3 years and then apparently you have to renew it.

It is far simpler with this card as it is in dollars so you know how much you have left on it whilst you are at Disney - with a credit card you never know what you have spend with the exchange rate etc until you come home.

It is also insured should you loose it - like the travellers cheques.

BiGGy · Jan 31, 2006

We used the card oct 05 and found it was more trouble than it was worth, like already said unless you keep a track of what you have used you dont know how much you have left even if you login to there website to check balance.

When using a cash machine that would take the card we were being charged $2.50 for the transaction then also $2.50 on top by amex.

with checking the balance every day online we still came home and found we owed them $5, then tried to tell us we could only top up a min of $50.

very complicated system some companys will present a higher amount than the actual transaction (think its cause theres a check for fraud on higher amounts) then you get the money refunded.

will stick to the old faithfull paper ones cause at least u get change in cash which is helpfull.

BiGGy

princess jackson · Jan 31, 2006

We used the card in Dec, and my personal opinion the plus side is it is easier to carry, and on the negative as everyone has said you need to remember how much you have spent.

We are going back to cheques in April, i found it more of a headache with with card, we still needed to carry a wallet/purse for the change, so we are just going to use a sports wallet, which can fit the cheques in.

kristieuk · Jan 31, 2006

We used the card in November, and really liked it. I have a real dislike for paper TC's, so we usually take all cash, but this isn't the best plan security wise. I tried to keep a rough note of what we were spending which proved pretty accurate - but we were planning on bringing $1000 home, so there was some leeway.

The biggest downside imho is that you won't get the best exchange rate when buying the card - but this is more than rectified if you take advantage of a free $ deal.

Otherwise you can use the card free of charges anywhere that accepts Amex - most places - just take some cash for street vendors in the parks and tolls etc.

Amyrlin · Jan 31, 2006

I am thinking about getting one purley to use tpo pay for hotel deposits beofre we go and settle those bills when we get there, would that work do you think? It would be a way of avoiding my banks charges

Miffy2003 · Jan 31, 2006

I would imagine you can use them at the hotel Terri, I always pay off my WDW room bills with paper TCs so I can't imagine it would be any different - but I don't know for sure I'm afraid!

jtlover · Feb 1, 2006

I got mine today - $1000 dollars + $100 fee. Cost me £607.15 for this and no fee for the card which usually costs £20.

The free dollars go on within 3 - 5 working days and you activate the card with American Express 2 hours after purchase.

One place apparently that it is not accepted is Universal Studios.

People saying that they dont like it because they have to keep a tag on their spending - I dont like using my credit card for this fact so prefer this card as it is in dollars so you know how much you will have left if you keep your receipts. pooh: