travelers checks

[rodmick]

On our previous vacations we have always used travelers checks. So much safer than cash 4 us. Does everywhere in Disney accept them?


Thanks!

Mick

 

[ducklite]

Yes! I've used them in the past everywhere, although I try to avoid doing so at the little stands and kiosks. You can also cash them at teh front desk of your resort or guest services in any park to have some "real" money for the small purchases.

Anne

 

[disneysteve]

I've never really understood the point of using traveler's checks for domestic travel. Overseas they can make sense because of issues with credit card fees. But in the US, it is so much easier to use a credit card plus you can get whatever reward points your card gives you. I'm curious why some folks prefer the traveler's checks.

Steve

 

[ducklite]

Some people dont have credit cards due to poor credit. Others feel they don't have the self control to use it responsibly, so they don't have them. Still others have one that they NEVER use, it's only for "emergencies". Some people prefer to pay for everything with cash so they don't come home to a bill. Some people have a card that doesn't give them any rewards, and for a variety of reasons are satisified with it, so in this case cash or charge doesn't matter.

That's their perogative.

I fall into the charge everything catagory. I like the points. I prepay the card when I know I'm going to be putting a lot on it, takes the sting off of opening it up and having a $huge bill.

Anne

 

[hellow]

I try to use travelers checks as a way to keep me on budget. I can divide up the checks for each day I am there. Then I don't have to spend time tracking expenses while I am enjoying my vacation. I just know when the money is gone from the envelope for the day, I am out of money until the next day (for food, misc). We have three teenage kids, I can dole out money to them and let them go.

I have a rewards card, but I know that you can end up with too high of a balance if you are not tracking your spending, and when I am on vacation, that is the last thing I want to do (I work in accounting/finance).

I've never had a problem passing a traveler's check in Disney.

 

[crazelion]

It also the risk of some stealing your card and charging up a high balance on it. That the reason I use travelers checks. I like paying for cash and not chargeing on vacation. I like having everything paid for and not have a credit card balance. On the other hand I will make hotel revesations with a credit card to gurentte a room. Everything is paid for in traveler's check. I also have some real cash on hand to for small purchases.

I only a ways to go before I am debit free again and I am looking forward to it.

 

[tink2dw]

If your cash is stolen it is gone for good!!

However if you have travelers checks that are stolen you can recover your money!!

I like the $100. checks, as you can cash it in the morning and have money for the day for food,snacks,and that very important shopping.

 

[rodmick]

Anne, thanks for the answer.
Steve, If we don't have the cash we don't buy it. Life is good with out car or CC payments! The car or vacation are sweeter knowing a bill isn't comming! I'm sure alot of folks who use the rewards point are diciplined. To me the plastic = money doesnt work. I do have credit cards though and will book the room and car with them but pay cash for the final bill.
Years ago in vegas DH had his wallet taken- all cash and CC's. That did it too.
I agree that its a good budgeting tool also.

 

[Tiggerafferty]

We have used Traveler's checks every trip to WDW and never had a problem. Just remember that SOME of the small stands and kiosks only accept cash.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by crazelion
It also the risk of some stealing your card and charging up a high balance on it.

You are not obligated for these charges!

Anne

 

[jcemom]

I plan to use credit cards this trip. Though I also plan to have the money in the bank ahead of time to pay it off when we come home.

In the past (not just WDW but any trips) I have tried cash and travelers checks. I have also used the envelope "budgeting method."

But for this trip, I would like to have a detailed record of what was spent where. Credit cards are also more convenient to use and easier to carry.

It's an experiment, I guess you could say. Let's hope I have enough control to not overspend -- at least, not too much!

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by jcemom

But for this trip, I would like to have a detailed record of what was spent where. Credit cards are also more convenient to use and easier to carry.

This is the exact reason I use credit card. If I have cash or travellers check I have no idea how I did on my budget. Did I over spend on food, did I buy more souvenirs than planned. When I get home I can really see how my money was spent and if I need to take a "cheapie" vacation I can see where to trim costs.

I am a disciplined credit card users and love the rewards offered. Cash is too easy to spend in my book. I don't like the spend till the envelope is empty theory.

I have had my credit card number stolen in the past (not at WDW) all it took was one phone call and the charges were removed. They sent a letter in the mail a few days later, that I had to send back signed and notarized and that was the end.

Replacing travellers checks is a hassle, especially while on vacation. The only people I think Travellers Checks are good for are teens who need money allocated to them on a vacation. They aren't generally old enough or responsible enough for credit cards so I think pocket money for a teen is good in Travellers Checks.

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by prncess674
This is the exact reason I use credit card. If I have cash or travellers check I have no idea how I did on my budget. Did I over spend on food, did I buy more souvenirs than planned. When I get home I can really see how my money was spent and if I need to take a "cheapie" vacation I can see where to trim costs.

The only people I think Travellers Checks are good for are teens who need money allocated to them on a vacation. They aren't generally old enough or responsible enough for credit cards so I think pocket money for a teen is good in Travellers Checks.

I'm a "charge everything and pay the bill in full when it comes" type of person. That said, however, I don't track my spending by my credit card statement. I do it by holding on to all of my receipts. This can be done regardless of how you are paying - cash, check or charge.

As for Travelers Checks for teens, unless you are giving them a large amount, I would think cash would be easier. If you want something safer, how about a Visa Buxx card which is a prepaid credit card.

Steve

 

[rodmick]

Amazing how were all so different. I plan to use my debit card also. I need to remember to call the bank in advance. Once before found outthey have a 500$ cap per day with out prior authorization.

 

[Janell Ebert]

We all ways get some cash and some traveler checks in case something happens to credit card or for some reason the credit card doesn't work. We are members of triple AAA. So we get them without any charge besides our yearly membership.

 

[montessori]

Hi rodmick,
Congratulations! You are in the Dis yearbook!
The yearbook is on the Community board and your picture is on page 60.
Have a great Disney vacation!

 

[rodmick]

Color me confused! Motissori-----Disney yearbook???? Clicked on community board, found no page 60. HUH??????

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by disneysteve
I've never really understood the point of using traveler's checks for domestic travel. Overseas they can make sense because of issues with credit card fees. But in the US, it is so much easier to use a credit card plus you can get whatever reward points your card gives you. I'm curious why some folks prefer the traveler's checks.

Steve

---------------------

My late father had this saying, "Pay as you go - unless you're going for good.." - and that is how he lived his life.. He was not a wealthy man - he was a hard-working steamfitter - but he managed to own 4 houses in his lifetime (with my Mom buying yet another after he passed away) and a summer home - and never had a mortgage.. He owned numerous vehicles in his lifetime - cars, trucks, and a 5th wheel camper - and never had a car payment.. He was frugal in many, many ways, but we never wanted for or had to go without anything and yet he NEVER had a credit card throughout his entire life..

When you grow up with that mind set, it's the only way you know.. I don't have a mortgage, I don't have a car payment, and I don't have credit cards.. Of course our income is much smaller than my Dad's (my DH is retired and on SS) so it makes it much harder to live that way, but there's something to be said for going to bed at night knowing that you don't owe anyone anything.. I am strictly a cash-on-the-line person and I won't spend a dime that I don't actually have in my hand.. Sure - I have to work harder and wait longer to have things (including trips to Disney) - but to me it's 200% more enjoyable knowing that it's been done on a "pay-as-you-go" basis..

It's not an "easy" lifestyle, but it sure makes drifting off to sleep at night a LOT easier..

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by C.Ann
---------------------

My late father had this saying, "Pay as you go - unless you're going for good.." - and that is how he lived his life.. He was not a wealthy man - he was a hard-working steamfitter - but he managed to own 4 houses in his lifetime (with my Mom buying yet another after he passed away) and a summer home - and never had a mortgage.. He owned numerous vehicles in his lifetime - cars, trucks, and a 5th wheel camper - and never had a car payment.. He was frugal in many, many ways, but we never wanted for or had to go without anything and yet he NEVER had a credit card throughout his entire life..

When you grow up with that mind set, it's the only way you know.. I don't have a mortgage, I don't have a car payment, and I don't have credit cards.. Of course our income is much smaller than my Dad's (my DH is retired and on SS) so it makes it much harder to live that way, but there's something to be said for going to bed at night knowing that you don't owe anyone anything.. I am strictly a cash-on-the-line person and I won't spend a dime that I don't actually have in my hand.. Sure - I have to work harder and wait longer to have things (including trips to Disney) - but to me it's 200% more enjoyable knowing that it's been done on a "pay-as-you-go" basis..

It's not an "easy" lifestyle, but it sure makes drifting off to sleep at night a LOT easier..

This is a great philosophy to have, just remember that just because someone uses a credit card it doesn't mean that don't have the money. I have the money in the bank to pay off every single charge I make. I pay off the balance in full each month, and the only reason I use the credit cards is because of all the free rewards the CC issuers offers for using the cards. Also many credit card issuers offer some type of additional insurance on purchases. By using the CC as the middle man in my transactions I have received free flights and many nights in a hotel for no charge. I do not pay interest to the CC companies because I pay my balance in full each month.

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by C.Ann
---------------------
there's something to be said for going to bed at night knowing that you don't owe anyone anything.. I am strictly a cash-on-the-line person and I won't spend a dime that I don't actually have in my hand

Hi C.Ann,
You may have misunderstood my original comment. I would NEVER use a credit card to pay for something if the money wasn't sitting in my account to pay the bill in full when it came. I DO NOT use a credit card to go into debt. I use it because I think it is a tremendous convenience and far safer than carrying cash. Plus, I take full advantage of my reward cards. As an example, my family is spending a week in Massachussetts next month and we aren't paying a penny for our hotel - it is all with Marriott Reward points earned from our Visa card. If instead I had paid cash for all of those purchases, I wouldn't be getting a free vacation which is saving us hundreds of dollars.

I am amazed/appalled when I read here and elsewhere about people who charge purchases on their cards knowing full well that they don't have the money to pay the bill. I can't imagine living that way. My wife and I are very thrifty (as you know from discussions we've had about hotel choices).

I think there are very few things that are worth going into debt for - a house, an education and a car are about the only ones. A vacation is definitely not on the list. So I agree with you for the most part but I think that properly used, credit cards can actually help your finances, not hurt them. We've gotten thousands of dollars worth of free rewards from our cards over the years and never paid a penny in interest because we ALWAYS pay our bill in full each month.

Steve