Does anyone use travelers checks anymore?

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

I used to purchase travelers checks inorder to save for upcoming vacations. But I have been told it is alot harder to redeem them than it use to be. I was told something about travelers check forgeries had caused venues to stop taking them or nearly stop taking them.

Can anyone help me out and clarify this for me.

I really love this option and I will be really sad if it is not an option for me anymore.

Kimberly

 

[amamax2]

I don't know about in the US, but I do know in Europe most places will not accept travellers checks any more - just euros/cash or credit card, with the preference being euros/cash.

 

[wdwfan16]

I can't remember the last time I used or saw another use a travelers check.

 

[Mom2Ben02]

I work for Bank of America, and we had to destroy our inventory back in October-ish. They are no longer selling them - as far as I know, company wide.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

We used them on our cruise in 2008. Royal Caribbean used to give cash at the casino on your Sea Pass card, now they charge a fee. Royal Caribbean Visa gives 2% rewards back on RCCL purchases, so people would go to the casino and charge a huge amount of cash on their Sea Pass account, then take the cash home and pay off the bill. On our last cruise we brought travelers checks since there really aren't any ATMs at sea! The casino will cash a travelers check for no charge (even if you are not gambling.)

I also brought a few to WDW on our last trip so I had less cash in my purse while flying, we used them in the park and at Publix. I got mine at AAA for no fee.

 

[coolbeans]

i bought some last year to use at the beach and had no problems using them. the catch is when i got home and went to use the remainder at walmart (on groceries, odds and ends) the cashier was totally confused!! she thought it was a check and kept trying to tell me i had to pay a fee to use it.. she called her supervisor who told me the same thing, finally they had to call a store manager that told them they were like cash... too much trouble. i set up a separate checking at my bank and will use that debit card instead of travelers checks this summer for vacation.

 

[DalGal]

Used them in June 2008 at DL and October 2008 at WDW with no problems, even at the kiosks/carts. Of course, that was almost 2 years ago.

 

[SnowWtch]

I haven't used them in years but did find a $20 one that's been in my wallet for 10 years. Think it's still good?

 

[nashville_minnie]

I agree that I haven't used them or seen anyone using them in several years. I think that they have kind of phased out & have been replaced with other things.

Since so many places probably don't take them, I can't imagine that they'd be worth the hassle.

 

[snels]

We used tr. checks last Oct. at Disney World, and will use them on our next visit to Disney.

 

[minnie1928]

I saw some counterfeit ones at the bank I used to work for...man were they good! Wouldn't have given them a second look, they were really authentic looking. But, the fraudulent ones have basically ruined them as an option anymore.

 

[zscfan]

I know that Costco will take American Express traveler's checks as a form of payment....not a well known fact.

 

[Gigi22]

DH and I use traveller's checks at resorts in Florida, including WDW. We also use them on cruise ships. We have never encountered any problems at all.
The advantage to traveller's checks is that they give you a way to carry money in a foreign currency, but are not actually cash. If you lose them, or are robbed, they can be replaced. Our TA told us that the alternative would be a prepaid credit card, or using a bank card. As a foreigner, finding an ATM compatible with our bank cards can be difficult--I do not like to use the "cash back" feature to obtain cash (I am just not a big shopper). I am still fond of traveller's checks!

 

[thebeesknees]

We just tried to get some from AAA this weekend and were told they no longer sell them. The lady said it is because so few places actually take them anymore. She told me our other option was a prepaid Visa debit card that is good for 3 years and has a $4.95 activation fee. Chase sells them, but they charge a 1-3% fee for them so DH decided we are just better off sticking to our credit cards, even with the foreign currency exchange fee. Fortunately, we are going to the Bahamas and they take US dollars, so I can carry a bit of cash on me for incidentals.