Traveler's checks? Should we bring some?

[loveysbydesign]

We leave for our 1st trip to WDW and our 1st cruise on Royal Caribbean on Tuesday!!! We're planning to use our VISA debit/check card for almost everything. I was wondering if we should bring some travelers checks as well and if so where would we use them at?

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

We always bring travelers checks every Disney trip. Keep in mind when using the debit card, you can only withdraw a certain $ amount per day and the time of day of the withdraw will depend on whether you can withdraw again the next day based on when you branch posts their entries. Also note that the debit machine can be down just when you need cash.

 

[loveysbydesign]

We always bring travelers checks every Disney trip.

Where do you use them at....stores in Disney and others such as Walmart? restaurants? What's a good amount for a week at WDW? We're staying offsite and are not on th DDP. I'm not sure if we could use them on our cruise or not.

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

We have used the travelers checks everywhere in Disney, even at the street vendors for ice cream. But all of the stores and resturants take them. We normally take $1500 for a 10 day stay, and normall bring home 400., but want to make sure we are covered. On our last Disney Cruise, we use a credit card at check in ( no cash excepted on board ), after charging for several days, I would go down to the front desk and pay the charges with my travelers checks. Then the last morning before departing the ship, I would pay the balance off again, with the Travelers checks; to avoid them charging to the credit card. Using the travelers checks I'm more comfortable having record of the serial numbers in case of theft or losing them. This way they can be replaced.

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

I should have mentioned that the $1500 was for 2 adults, of course if there are more of you in your party you would want to take more based on your buying and eating habits.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Then the last morning before departing the ship, I would pay the balance off again, with the Travelers checks; to avoid them charging to the credit card.

that's a great idea...I hope RCCL lets me do that!

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

RCCL will also require a credit card to place on your stay while on the cruise, then you can pay this off either each day with cash or travelers checks or several times during your cruise. This way, your charges won't be added to your credit card at the end. I like taking care of the charges every several days, this way I avoid these charges on my credit card.

 

[loveysbydesign]

RCCL will also require a credit card to place on your stay while on the cruise

Yes, I saw that when I checked us in online! Thanks for your help!

 

[ZoZo]

I'm a big fan of travelers checks. American Express even makes a "travelers check card" now, which looks like a debit card. Has the benefit of travelers checks (if lost, can be replaced easily) but the money is all loaded onto one card instead of having you get many paper travelers checks.

My thought is: with a debit card, if it gets lost or stolen, you're out of luck. With travelers checks or a travelers check card, you have some recourse. Many people use only debit/ATM cards these days, but they do have some limitations and potential problems.

Also, using travelers checks helps me keep track of what I'm spending. I like to allot a certain amount of money per day for food and souvenirs -- but using travelers checks, I know that if I'm coming close to my daily allotment, I need to cut back. With debit cards, it's easy to lose track of what you're spending.

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

ZoZo, very good point about keeping better track of your daily spending. I normally do so each evening when return to the resort, and this allows us to see how much is avail for each remaining days of your stay.

 

[Echo queen]

Having my credit card info stolen in the past , I prefer travelers checks