Amex Travel Card

[MariaTia2]

Has anyone used the American Express TravelCard instead of traveler checks? I know you don't need anything on the ship, but was thinking about in Nassau shopping and some at WDW before the cruise. Thinking about getting this instead of travelers checks. We use our room charge mostly, but this would be nice to have instead of cash and seems easier than T.Checks. Just wondering if anyone has used this before. It seems kinda of expensive with the 14.95 initial fee and then a 5.00 recharge fee if you want to add money on the card. The good news is it is accepted where the take A.Express Credit Cards and you can use it at ATMS (2.50 fee). So, any opinions and do they take this in Nassau or should I go with travelers checks or maybe even just cash? Thanks

 

[tam012864]

Oh I will be anxious to hear what others have to say also!! I was thinking of using these on our cruise next year. Seems like it would be a good way to go if you were on a budget and didnt want to use your credit cards.....

 

[Disneefun]

I really looked into this card, as well as the Visa Buxx and AAA TravelMoney card. All of them had (what I consider) pretty steep issuance & shipping fees and then they charged fees for EVERYTHING, with minimum and maxium loads, cash out fees, inactivity fees, statement and balance inquiry fees, cash advance/ATM fees (on top of whatever the bank charges you), etc. All those fees would put a hit on my money.

It seemed a little crazy to me, as we can get travellers checks free from our bank. I plan to stick with travl. checks and just cash some on the boat prior to going ashore in case a retailer won't take the checks. These cards are a good idea in theory, but it seems to me like the issuers are using them as money making schemes and I won't use one until the fees are more reasonable.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

What I did was left my cash at home but put everything on my card. Then, when I got back home, there was the cash to pay to charges off. I deposited the cash and wrote a check. That way I had the safety of the card but still knew I had the cash at home to pay it off!

 

[CruisingCA2005]

I got an email from Amex a few days ago about a promo with the travel card. I don't have the email on this computer but I believe the promo was if you buy a Amex travel card, you'll get a voucher for a free companion ticket.