Fellow Canucks Question for you...

[Colfireman]

Hi there we have long bought AmEx T cheques when travelling to the US. This las time we had a hard time cashing them. What do you bring when you travel? Cash, or other forms? We will have our Credit cards but would prefer not to put everything on those.

TIA

Greg

BTW we are going to WDW for the first time in Jan-Feb 2010 for 14 nights

 

[snickerboo]

Really? Last year I did traveller's checks and had no problems. Everywhere on Disney property was willing to cash them, even counter service places. Usually, I just withdraw US cash from the ATMs on Disney property. If there's a surcharge from my bank for it, it's minimal because I've never noticed and my bank charges me the present exact exchange rate, which is nice. We also charge things on our CCs but just pay them off as soon as we get back from the trip. Dh likes to do it that way because it's easiest.

 

[MikeyNS]

We're pretty much 100% CC.. much easier and the conversion rates are decent.

We have a spare change jar that we fill and roll for every trip which gives us a few hundred dollars in extra spending money for "incidentals" and such.

Our theory is that if you can't pay off your CC each month then don't use it.. we're the type that charge absolutely everything (for the Avion points) to give us our flights. We haven't paid for a full ticket out of Halifax in years and years and years.

 

[You'vegotafriendinme]

Just wanted to say that we're just back from Disney a few weeks now and didn't have any trouble cashing American Express Travellers Cheques at all. We have used them before during trips over the last few years and again, never a problem at any location in WDW. We also use our credit card and cash, and no problems there either, as you'd expect.
We're heading back down in January, too, here's hoping for some great weather!
Whatever you decide, hope you have a fantastic time.

 

[candielips]

We always take cash w/ us at least a few hundred dollars, but charge almost everything to our CC's. We like to get our airmiles. I find it much easier using the CC and just paying it off when you get back. I fyou are worried that you won't pay off your CC balance, why not take the money you would have spent on your travellers cheques and put it in your CC before you leave, giving you a credit.

 

[hcoker1]

When we travelled last year we put everything on our room card so at the end of the trip there was just one CC transaction (and one conversion fee). It is SO nice carrying just one card and not my whole wallet when we are at Disney. We do the same thing when we cruise.

If you do use debit, don't forget that not many places do debit at point of purchase like we do in Canada. There are cash machines in the parks if you need them.

Have a great vacation!

 

[deanie]

I also put everything on my room tab and then put it on my Visa card - gotta love those Avion points!! Then I pay it off when I get home. I also take several hundred in cash and I also have my bank card with me - just in case - but I have never used it. I used to take traveller's cheques but now I rarely do.

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

Make sure you get american dollar travelers cheques not canadain. We saw some people last trip having problems with canadian doller ones. We usually get visa travelers cheques in american funds I beleive. We also bring cash and mainly use credit card. Charge it to the room kinda thing.

 

[papertraveller]

Hey Colfireman,
Something about a Victoria, B.C., post that absolutely compels me to answer! Haven't been home in awhile, but once you have the Island in your blood ...

We are frequent WDW visitors, and always take a minimum amount of cash, say $200 or so to cover incidentals. We got caught short this last summer when DD's much-requested hair wrap pushed me over my budget. But there was an ATM in the lobby of the Poly, so all was well.

Are you staying onsite? If so, you can have your charges everywhere tied to your room and your credit card - like other posters, we also try to ramp up our points to max out on hotel and air for later vacations.

I would recommend taking a phone card, however. We got caught a couple of times when we were at MK, and wished we'd been able to make a quick call. But in keeping with the vacation rules, had left cell phone and Bberry back at the room!

Have a really great vacation, and dip a toe in the ocean for me!

 

[PhotobearSam]

We have used TC in the past and still do if we are visiting Disney but the rest of the USA seems to be getting away from TC's all together. We carry 1/2 in cash and 1/2 in TC's when going to Disney but do cash and a debit card we use at ATM's when we go anywhere else in the US.

If going to Disney only, get TC's. No problems there at all.

 

[monkeyknuckler]

My DW and I each have our own debit card, cc and american tc. If one gets lost, or stolen, there's plenty of backup. I had trouble getting money out of the ATMs one year (dunno why)...so I used my cc instead. No biggie.

 

[Colfireman]

Thanks everyone for your posts. Maybe we were unlucky at DL last year. We are going foe 2 weeks so bringing our budget in cash does not seem to be the smartest thing. We will be staying off site (summer bay resort) so charging to the room is not an option. We will do the TC thing again from the responses here.

Just at 100 days till we go.

 

[neonurse]

I have had trouble cashing them at certain restaurants like golden corral, cici's. Never any trouble in disney! Walmart and target take them without any hassle. I just bring $50 TC and try break them up so I have cash on hand for the restaurants that don't take them. I still bought some for this trip!