travellers cheques

[firsttime04]

just got my dollars n cheques delivered..................the cheques are american express travellers ........can you spend these in the shops etc or do you have to go to bank etc to get the cash
thanks as always

 

[danandjackie]

not sure, I am curious about one thing though why travellers cheques, disney property and for that matter all of the US in general is covered in ATM machines.Working in finance I find it strange in this day and age that travel agencies still seem to recommend Travellers cheques to the states when you actually have more cover and protection if you lost your visa card and can draw cash from an atm machine without commision on most delta cards and are still protected...Presumably they make some form of commission from the initial sale...The extra protection was applied to visa and mc in 1999 and adjusted again in 2002 travellers cheques seem to still be very popular yet are a throwback to the less regulated 70's and 80's when credit cards were less in use and less protected...

 

[gilld]

Although we don't bothe rto take cash anywhere on holiday, I suspect for some it's a way of sticking to a budget. If you take an amount of travellers cheques then you can keep track of how much you're spending.

 

[tartangirl]

My bank charges a minimum fee for withdrawing money from a cash machine.

This would be OK if you withdraw large amounts at a time but I dont want to walk around with a large amount of cash.

I tend to take some cash/travellers cheques, use credit cards where possible and keep Maestro as a back up.

Are there banks out there that dont charge a fee for withdrawing money?

 

[Miffy2003]

I like my TC's for the reason Gill states above Though I also use my CC for "bigger" purchases.

I have never changed mine in a bank, but just used them in a shop / restaurant and got the change in dollars. I would not buy say an icecream with a $100 TC though

 

[maureen4200040]

American Express travellers cheques can be used everywhere, there's no need to change them at the banks.

 

[Martin29]

Hi Folks

If you are a frequent visitor to Florida you may want to consider opening a bank account with one of the many banks in Orlando.

I opened an account with the SunTrust bank about 4 years ago - the result of walking into a closed patio door, my nose exploding, and receiving a cheque as settlement from the american insurance company whilst still on holiday.

I have a standing order with my british bank to transfer a sum of money each month into the american one. So when it's time for the next trip you already have spending money there. It's always a nice surprise to find out how much money you've saved in a year 'cause you never really notice it coming off each month, it's a bit like a direct debit for your gas or electricity bills!

You get a cheque book (which I've never used) and a cheque card which you use just like a Switch card and is accepted everywhere.

Anyway, something you may want to think about.

martin.

 

[KEH]

We got back yesterday and we used traveller's cheques just like cash. Made life very easy.

 

[Scottish-Helen]

I've used travellers cheques on previous visits and they were very convenient you could use them like cash everywhere.

I actually lost or possibly had stolen some of my cheques. All I did was ring a freephone number and they were replaced straight away. I don't have credit cards only a debit card and I'm not sure how that would work if my card got lost or stolen.

On my next visit I'll take a little bit of cash, mainly travellers cheques and my visa debit card.

 

[#1MMFan]

Yeah, as above. You should note that on Disney property (disney shops) you can use them as cash without ID. In the malls certain stores are a bit particular about ID (even though American Express guarantees them without ID - believe me, I've had this conversation with a variety of store staff before and I gave up). The other thing to note is that I have seen plenty of Americans use the same TCs so don't think it's an entirely british thing to do in WDW.

 

[dragann48]

You Can Use Your Tc Like Cash In The Shops

 

[AndRu]

On our previous two trips to Florida, we used American Express TC's just like cash and the stores give you cash as change. I don't like the idea of travelling halfway around the world, trying to use an ATM and having my card swallowed. Hmm - what would you do then? Its hard enough trying to get your card back in this country if an ATM doesn't give it back, imagine trying to get it back in a foreign country?!

Personally, I like the security of TC's, especially the American Express versions. If they're stolen or lost AmEx will replace them quickly. As I said, we've never been turned down using them. When we know we're going to the states it allows us to buy TC's when the rate suits us. For example, the current exchange rate is $1.82 to a pound. Makes sense to buy now as 18 months ago it was as low as $1.50! Don't forget that if you do use an ATM or credit card you don't know the exact exchange rate that the bank or CC company is going to levy on that purchase. You can bet that it'll be in their favour though.

We take the majority of our spending money in TC's - and before you get any ideas I'm 6'1, 19st and used to play nose tackle at American football so you ain't nicking it off me! - and then a couple of hundred in $cash. The last time we were in Orlando we didn't use our ATM cards at all and only used the credit card twice; once for buying theme park tickets and once when I went OTT in a Addidas outlet!. However, the good bit was that we still had quite a few TC's left and when we came back to Blighty we changed them at the bank for cash and cleared the credit card bill straight away!