Travelers Checks

[t-and-a]

Hi,

We are thinking about getting travelers checks before we leave for vacation. We have never used them before and we're wondering how widely accepted they are. We would like to hear of good and bad experiences with them.

Thanks in advance

 

[HappygirlMagill]

I'd like to know, too! I'd prefer to buy up a bunch of Disney Dollars, but we don't have a Disney Store nearby, so I'm seriously considering buying travelers checks instead. Waiting with you for more info.

 

[Quasi123]

We've used traveler's checks on every trip. We have yet to find a spot on Disney that won't accept them.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Wow. I didn't even know that they still had travelers' checks. Isn't it a pain to have to sign everything? Why not use a credit card, debit card, ATM, or if on property your Key to the World?

 

[disney junky]

I used to use travelers checks all the time but I stopped using them with the advent of debit cards. I carry enough cash for the odds and ends and then use plastic for everything else. I found them a bit cumbersome, with the additional signing the back and signing the front; deciding what denominations to buy was always challenging. I first purchased them as a result of watching the commercials about losing them so of course I never lost any....IMO.....

 

[C.Ann]

Wow. I didn't even know that they still had travelers' checks. Isn't it a pain to have to sign everything? Why not use a credit card, debit card, ATM, or if on property your Key to the World?

------------------------
Nope - not a pain at all - and tends to curb those "impulse" purchases that you look at when you get back to your room and say, "What was I thinking??"

I wouldn't travel any other way.. They're easily replaced if lost or stolen and 9 times out of ten you'll come HOME with money because you're not just handing someone a card to swipe.. Sooooooo easy to overspend that way..

Once you're home you can use the remaining traveler's checks for groceries, gas, a trip to Walmart or whatever..

 

[klh999]

American Express also now makes the travelers cheque card. Which works just like travelers checks but it is in credit card form. There is an initial deposit of $300 and their is a one time fee of $14.95. It is accepted anywhere american express is accepted.

I dont like to carry around the traveler checks, but this would work well for me. It is nice to know if you loose all of your money, that at least something will be replaced within 24 hours.

Here is the link in

http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif/cda/page/0,1641,23076,00.asp#faq

Kristy

 

[Bob P]

Hi Alison and Tim,

Traveller's checks should be accepted as cash at WDW and everywhere else! Worst case scenario is you cash them at guest services in your hotel.

Enjoy!

Bob

 

[TR Denise]

We use travelers checks all the time . We get them from AAA they are free for members. We have never had a problem using them and as others have said I think they curb your spending a little. We usually bring some home and save them for the next trip

 

[HappygirlMagill]

Hmmmm. I don't know if this would work for me. I'm really looking for some way to give the kids money of their own to spend. Maybe the travelers checks would be too complicated. Plus, would they need to show an ID to use them?

I like the idea of Disney Dollars because they can't really spend them anywhere other than at Disney, and I could pay them some allowance in Disney Dollars as the months go by until our trip. Then they could spend as they like at the parks.

*think, think, think*

Anyone know a way to buy Disney Dollars over the phone or online?

 

[jenndisney]

I'm really looking for some way to give the kids money of their own to spend.

Since we do not have a Disney store around here and my daughter loves Disney Dollars, this is what we have come up with. I went to the bank and got a check register. Every week, we "deposit" money into my daughter's Disney account. This helps her to keep track. When we get to WDW, we "withdraw" the money and purchase Disney dollars.

This allows mom and dad to save up a bit for her spending money, teaches her how to save, and also teaches her about a checking and savings account.

The other thing we do is that she usually saves about $100 or so for our trip. We allow her to spend $20 the first day, or she can save it and have $40 the next day, and so on. This makes her really think about all that little stuff that she use to go "I want this" just to spend her money. She really likes saving most of it until the last day or so. She has purchased some great items that she is proud of and that have not ended up at the bottom of the toy box. She will be 9 this trip and we have been doing this since she was six.

 

[HappygirlMagill]

Since we do not have a Disney store around here and my daughter loves Disney Dollars, this is what we have come up with. I went to the bank and got a check register. Every week, we "deposit" money into my daughter's Disney account. This helps her to keep track. When we get to WDW, we "withdraw" the money and purchase Disney dollars.

This allows mom and dad to save up a bit for her spending money, teaches her how to save, and also teaches her about a checking and savings account.

The other thing we do is that she usually saves about $100 or so for our trip. We allow her to spend $20 the first day, or she can save it and have $40 the next day, and so on. This makes her really think about all that little stuff that she use to go "I want this" just to spend her money. She really likes saving most of it until the last day or so. She has purchased some great items that she is proud of and that have not ended up at the bottom of the toy box. She will be 9 this trip and we have been doing this since she was six.

What great ideas! Thank you so much for sharing them!