Traveler's Checks?

[ShesAPirate]

Anyone use traveler's checks for domestic travel (or at all anymore)? I used to work at a tourist trap in NYC a million years ago and people always had traveler's checks. I try to keep a cash existence (rather than use my debit card, since I don't keep track of my spending when I do), but I don't want to travel with a ton of cash on me.

Any opinions either way? What about those American Express or Visa gift cards, if traveler's checks are not really used anymore?

Thanks!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

We just bought Travelers Cheques for our recent trip out west. We mostly used the debit card or credit card for everything but there are some places that only take cash. One park we went to, for example. And we needed cash for tips at valet parking and the airport. We could cash the checks at the hotel to get cash as we weren't sure we could find an ATM to use the debit card without high fees. We ended up bringing most of the checks home.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My dd is going to China TOMORROW! We got her traveler's checks.

 

[EdiePA]

On our recent trip to Europe, we were advised not to use Traveler's Checks because it can be difficult to find someone to cash them. I'm sure they'd be fine for U.S. travel, but I wouldn't want to chance it outside the country.

My bank refunds fees for using ATMs, so I go with using my MAC card and my VISA.

Edie

 

[Becky2005]

I wouldn't do the Visa type gift cards. Those things are a PAIN. I can't tell you how many times they have been declined on people because the amount they are purchasing is over what is left on the card.

THEN they don't know exactly how much they have on the card so there is no way to process it. If you are spending $65.00 and you know you have $38.45 left on the card, then the cashier can key in $38.45 swipe the Visa and all is good BUT if you swipe it, assuming it's like a normal gift card and will just tell you the balance difference, it does not work that way. It will just come up declined.

I know when we went to Disney in 2005, we did get traveler's checks. I didn't have any problem with them. I used them mostly for the hotels though, so I'm sure they are more used to traveler's checks than other places.

 

[Brian Noble]

I haven't used them domestically in about ten years. Maybe more recently on an international trip, but in general the exchange rate on your credit card or a good old ATM is often better.