Minor Panic!

[l_mccafferty]

Just a week left until we go and we've still got money to get.

I was planning on mostly travellers cheques.

My dad went into Thomas Cook today who tried to persuade him to get their card. She told him that nowhere in Florida accepts travellers cheques anymore.

I'm wary of having to find an ATM all the time or carrying cash.

Does anyone have any experience of this? Especially recent experiences.

I'd heard of Pondarosa not accepting them but she told him nowhere will.

Thanks In Advance

Laura

 

[2Tiggies]

I still use travellers cheques but also take cards and cash with me. Onsite at Disney everwhere takes them without batting an eyelid. Offsite some places do and some don't. You don't have to find an ATM if you take a fairfx or travel money card - you can use it as a debit card.

 

[l_mccafferty]

Do you know of any of the places offsite that don't take them?

We're doing all 4 Disney parks, DTD, Universal Studios and IOA, Seaworld, Busch Gardens, Aquatica.
Also going to Mall at Milenia, Florida Mall and the 2 outlets

When we were there in 2007, 2008 & 2009, we had no problems at all with them.

Thanks in advance
Laura

 

[2Tiggies]

I don't have a list although over the last couple of years specific places have been referred to, however not all of them refuse to take TCs. It is just a good idea to have another form of currency for back up. I have used them all over the premium mall and the only place there where I had a bit of stick was Gymboree - and they did take it anyway. I was simply asked whether I had anything else and I wondered if it was because I was buying $105 of merchandise with 2 x $100 TCs so they had to give me change.

 

[wayneg]

I don't use TC's, I prefer a credit card but only places I have heard of problems are Golden Corral (almost 3 years since I tried so don't know if they accept them or not now) and one of the supermarkets, not sure if it was Walmart of Publix on Hwy192, I think that was an isolated problem as I have not heard anything for a long time.
Apart from that I don't know of anyone having problems spending them but I have heard about Thomas Cook scaring people into using their card many times.

I can see in a few years TC being phased out but if thats what you prefer I see no reason not to take them just now.

If you don't want to carry the cash around have you thought of a credit card, there are 3 or 4 with no fees so you get the full interbank rate (today $1.6421) I use Post Office card, usually about 5% better rate than TC's or cash.

 

[l_mccafferty]

Thanks for the reply

I'm slowly stopping panicking!

Has anyone else had any recent issues with American Express traveller's cheques?

Thanks

 

[l_mccafferty]

I don't use TC's, I prefer a credit card but only places I have heard of problems are Golden Corral (almost 3 years since I tried so don't know if they accept them or not now) and one of the supermarkets, not sure if it was Walmart of Publix on Hwy192, I think that was an isolated problem as I have not heard anything for a long time.
Apart from that I don't know of anyone having problems spending them but I have heard about Thomas Cook scaring people into using their card many times.

I can see in a few years TC being phased out but if thats what you prefer I see no reason not to take them just now.

If you don't want to carry the cash around have you thought of a credit card, there are 3 or 4 with no fees so you get the full interbank rate (today $1.6421) I use Post Office card, usually about 5% better rate than TC's or cash.

I think it's more the fact I've already bought quite a bit of mine in TC's! And then my dad told me this and I was panicking that I'd have to spend time finding somewhere to exchange them!

It wouldn't be a problem if they stop using them in future, I'd probably move to a card then

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

We use them and have never been refused. One lady at Disney didn't understand how to do it but she just called someone over. I have also heard the Golden Corral and Wallmart potential problems so haven't tried there.

I take a cc too but like the travellers cheques because you can see what you have spent and what you have left!!!

Also I always get $100 cheques then use up the change in smaller places eg Golden Corral.

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

Oh and one more thing - don't pay with a debit card at Thomas cook or Post Office as they both charge a transaction fee. I thought this could only happen with a credit card but they both do for debit cards too - I complained but couldn't get money back. And of course they don't tell you this!!

Unless things have changed.

 

[wilma-bride]

Four years ago, we went into Thomas Cook to get TC's and were told that we would be better off getting a pre-paid currency card as they were phasing out TC's in Florida. To my knowledge, this has not happened and, I was reliably informed by a friend who works for another high street Travel Agency that this is a ploy they are using to push the currency cards as they charge a fee for these and most places don't charge a conversion charge for TC's.

I don't think you have any reason whatsoever to worry - if there are places that don't take TCs, they are likely to be the smaller off-the-beaten-track kind of places. I would be very surprised if the larger chains or restaurants or supermarkets no longer take them.

 

[Verity Chambers]

We only took TC when we went in February and had no problems whatsoever

 

[l_mccafferty]

Thanks to everyone

You've made me feel so much better!

A week left to go!!

 

[Goofyish]

Last trip in 2005 we took mostly TCs and used them just like cash with no problems.

This trip I am using a FairFX card, seems so much easier and the exchange rates are really good. You can use them like a debit card or get cash from ATMs. You can also load them and check you balance via you mobile SMS.

I'm sure eventually TCs will be phased out, just as normal cheques are here.

 

[almcg]

We used TC last year with absolutely no problems. Only this morning we were sorting out our TC for next month so I think you'll be fine

 

[2Tiggies]

American Express TC's are the only ones I have ever taken. As per my previous posts, no problems.

 

[Chilly]

Are you staying onsite? If you are Disney hotels will cash TCs for you up to either $200 or $300 I can't remember which sorry. Never had a problem with TCs.

 

[Beep]

My parents took TC's last October and had no problems at all. Well, that's not true. My Dad had a problem using one because he hadn't pre-signed it - if only I had got my sticky paws on it first!