Bought another Travellers Cheque Card

[kristieuk]

Well, even weirder - my post of the quote has erased the link too! It only appears when I am actually typing the post, but the link doesn't work .

 

[homerdog]

Her'es the page that should appear when you click Mick's link:

 

[mickeys_chick]

hiya

just been to tc web site and it gives free $ when you buy 1000 $ just went on to get $700 and says nil free

is that with lunn poly the 700?

 

[Kerryc]

hiya

just been to tc web site and it gives free $ when you buy 1000 $ just went on to get $700 and says nil free

is that with lunn poly the 700?

Yep Lunn Poly gave us $50 free with a purchase of $700.

The last one we got off them was if you spent £700 we got $50 free so I don't know if their advertising was a mistake!!!

 

[mrshnn]

i think the offer ran out sat 21st october

 

[Kerryc]

Yep it did, my hubby spotted it and went down on Friday, she said it was supposed to finish last monday but the offer was still coming up on the computer!!

 

[dc1964]

just got the card in a Thomas cook shop at white rose shopping centre in Leeds. $2000 dollars put on the card. The rate is 1.69 but when you add the $250 free dollars the rate is a very attractive 1.89. Got this one in the wifes name and will get a second $2000 in a couple of days in my name.
For everyones info if you order online tha card costs £15. If you go to a shop the card is only £5.00.

 

[kristieuk]

Just to clarify everything, I called Thomas Cook today to see when the offer expires, and it is still on today, but they don't know when it will be pulled - they think it will probably last to the end of the week, but it could be cancelled at any time.

The rate today is $1.68, so you get $2250 for £1190, which indeed works out at a fantastic 1.89.

Fingers crossed it's still on tomorrow when I go in!

 

[kristieuk]

Just by way of an update - I managed to get the $2000 card this morning, but they insisted on calling head office first to check the offer was still on (I had my argument planned in my head that they still had the advert in the window, Trading Standards etc!), but it was all fine.

They just said that the offer has been extended, but it's really on a day by day basis. They don't think it will last longer than the end of the week, but it could go tomorrow if h/o decide. So if anyone is thinking about it, you may want to do it sooner rather than later. You can't beat 1.89!

 

[burt]

We are not travelling until next april, do you think its worth getting a card now or wait and see if any offers about nearer the time?

 

[mickg7dyd]

Hi Burt,
This question is often asked and as you are probably aware only time will give a definitve answer. Imho I would buy now knowing that you are "locking in" a specific rate. This together with the fact that if you go for the $2000 deal you get 12/5 % free ($250) If you can spare the cash I would go for it.

Mick.

 

[mikki.young]

Not much help for folks travelling soon but if you go regularly may be worth looking at a Citibank account. You buy the dollars at business not tourist rate (when the rate is good), earn interest in the meantime and get a debit card that you can use in the US, or in Europe or the UK. Only one card and you can point it to whichever currency account you like. It has been absolutely brilliant for us. You can even use the card at disney hotels instead of a credit card for charging to. Also there is no commission for getting cash or travellers cheques out of the account. We end up taking a mix of cash, T/chqs and the card and it has made our life so much simpler.

 

[kristieuk]

I don't think I can recall a time in recent years where you could get $1.89 to £. The best rate we've had recently was in Feb of this year when the market rate was $1.90, and we used a Nationwide Visa card getting the same rate. But that was just luck - we were away and using the card when the rate was that good.

I would agree that if you can spare the ££, then tie in this rate now, I don't think you'll beat it in the near future.

 

[kristieuk]

Not much help for folks travelling soon but if you go regularly may be worth looking at a Citibank account. You buy the dollars at business not tourist rate (when the rate is good), earn interest in the meantime and get a debit card that you can use in the US, or in Europe or the UK. Only one card and you can point it to whichever currency account you like. It has been absolutely brilliant for us. You can even use the card at disney hotels instead of a credit card for charging to. Also there is no commission for getting cash or travellers cheques out of the account. We end up taking a mix of cash, T/chqs and the card and it has made our life so much simpler.

Can you let me know the details? Is it the Citibank foreign currency current account? We were thinking of opening a foreign currency account to help with paying for our wedding things next year - ideally we need a cheque book. Thank you!

 

[crystalprincess]

Sorry, this may seem a silly question but how quick do you receive the card, does it have to be registered?

 

[kristieuk]

Not a silly question! You get it there and then if you purchase from a shop, rather than online.

The application did take about 10 minutes to complete - the assistant is registering online as you provide her with all of your details. It does take longer than purchasing just normal currency or traveller's cheques.

The assistant told me to me to make sure I called the activation line within two hours, which I did, but the card had not yet been 'set up' by Amex. I waited a couple of more hours, and everything was fine. It's activated in the same way a as a normal credit card, and you get to set up a pin number, if you want to use it to withdraw cash.

The free $ don't hit the card for a few days apparently.

 

[mikki.young]

Can you let me know the details? Is it the Citibank foreign currency current account? We were thinking of opening a foreign currency account to help with paying for our wedding things next year - ideally we need a cheque book. Thank you!

Yes, it is a foreign currency account and you do get a cheque book. Very useful for us for paying things like DVC dues. We have 3 accounts with them - sterling, US dollar and Euro. You can transfer money between the accounts online or by phone. I think there is a minimum balance requirement but as that can be in a savings account it is not a problem really. Happy to help anyway I can!

 

[Kerryc]

Not a silly question! You get it there and then if you purchase from a shop, rather than online.

The application did take about 10 minutes to complete - the assistant is registering online as you provide her with all of your details. It does take longer than purchasing just normal currency or traveller's cheques.

The assistant told me to me to make sure I called the activation line within two hours, which I did, but the card had not yet been 'set up' by Amex. I waited a couple of more hours, and everything was fine. It's activated in the same way a as a normal credit card, and you get to set up a pin number, if you want to use it to withdraw cash.

The free $ don't hit the card for a few days apparently.

We never got ours straight away Kristie?? We got both from Lunn Poly and had to wait for them to come in the post. It arrived yesterday. Thing is my other half can't remember his log in details to get on the website to activate this one!! typical

 

[kristieuk]

We never got ours straight away Kristie?? We got both from Lunn Poly and had to wait for them to come in the post. It arrived yesterday. Thing is my other half can't remember his log in details to get on the website to activate this one!! typical

Oh sorry! I hadn't realised this. I definitely got mine there and then. Don't know why they would make you wait, unless they had run out instore??

They had them there, all ready and in envelopes with the terms and conditions in. They made me sign it before I left the store. I just figured it was like purchasing normal traveller's cheques.

Didn't mean to give mis-information - perhaps it's sensible to phone the shop first and see whether it is just a case of going in and picking one up, or if they make you wait. I bought mine at Thomas Cook.

If you call Amex, they will give you another password - I forgot my details for my credit card, after I had signed up for online statements!

 

[kristieuk]

We never got ours straight away Kristie?? We got both from Lunn Poly and had to wait for them to come in the post. It arrived yesterday. Thing is my other half can't remember his log in details to get on the website to activate this one!! typical

Thanks very much for that. I'll take a look at their website. Sounds like just what we are looking for.