traveler's checks

[findmewdw]

Which is safer at the parks, cash or traveler's checks?

 

[mickey0216]

Of the 2 options that you list, travelers checks.

A 3rd option that I prefer... I carry very little cash with me in the parks. We keep our cash in the in-room safe. I charge everything that I can back to my room and pay at the front desk.

 

[MickeyTime]

We try to charge everything back to our room, and then use a credit card to pay the balance. That is the safest option, IMO.

 

[AlwaysAPrincess]

We tend to use travelers checks.....def. safer!

 

[goofyernmost]

Originally posted by AlwaysAPrincess
We tend to use travelers checks.....def. safer!

Even though Travelers Checks are usually refundable the hastle that goes with that is more than I want to experience.

I use them but I never have all of them in one place. If I carry them on my person (I do) I divide them up evenly in every place I can, pockets, fanny packs etc. My theory is that unless you are mugged be an octopus it is unlikely that you will be stranded without some left over. On the other side of the coin..the more places you have them the more likely you are to "accidentially" lose some of them. Just use more caution. This system only works when refering to theft (pick pockets, etc)

 

[Tink]

I carry minimal cash, try to charge most of it back to my room, but I do carry travellers checks. Once many years ago I lost money and ever since then, I get the checks. It also helps that I belong to a credit union and there is no fee for the checks. Some backs charge a fee.

Charging back to the room is the easiest - except that in WDW I am addicted to mickey bars and popcorn, so I carry enough to pay for my snack fix.

 

[Junebugwv]

I just returned yesterday and used trav cheques, keeping some with me and the rest in the room safe. One cashier told me they don't accept Canadian trav cheques.

 

[ErinInCT]

Are traveler's checks accepted by everyone? Even for a Mickey Bar??

 

[goofyernmost]

Originally posted by ErinInCT
Are traveler's checks accepted by everyone? Even for a Mickey Bar??

Never found a place in WDW yet that didn't cash a $20.00 one but some places don't have the cash to cover the larger denominations. I'm sure that they don't allow LARGE amounts of cash at the outdoor vendors. They would become prime targets.

As for them not taking Canadian TC's, I don't know about that. I was once on a train with my young family (a two year old and a newborn) from Toronto to Montreal with VISA travelers checks and they wouldn't cash them. We had no food or drink for the entire trip which was about 4 hours. We had planned on having lunch on the train and never expected that they wouldn't cash them. I have yet to forgive them for that. What a miserable 4 hours. Couldn't believe the lack of compassion shown by the railroad employees or management. Never again will I ride those rails!
I could have understood it if it was a unknown name but VISA?!?!

 

[caribbeanme]

We had $20 for snacks and charged everything back to the room, mostly because we didn't want to go through the hassle of paper traveler's checks.

We just got the new American Express Travel Card for my sister in college, though, and that may be a great option for our coming trip. The card looks like an American Express credit card, but you fund it and re-fund it with your bank account. Just like a traveler's check, if it gets stolen, you will get reimbursed quickly. Moreover, you can also use it as an ATM card and take cash out of any ATM with your chosen pin number. You can order the card through the American Express website...My sister hasn't had a problem with it thus far, and since we can fund it from our account, we have peace of mind if she needs more money in an emergency. That's just another option for ya...

~

 

[AlwaysAPrincess]

You can use Traveler's checks anywhere in WDW. Even for anice cream!