travellers cheques

[orlando novice]

Wonder if someone can help me, as I am staying in a villa I wondered how easy it was to cash travellers cheques or can we just use them as cash, I'm a bit confused on the best thing to do with regards to them or taking cash????

 

[Aceman88888]

Use them like cash in most places although some places may need ID especially for large denomination cheques. A good idea which i read from another forum is to scan and laminate your driving licence if you have a new photographic one which will allow you to show ID without risking carrying your essential documents about with you.

 

[Amyrlin]

Very easy to use, I ended up even using them in Sizzler etc for breakfast.

 

[wicket2005]

Extremely easy to use. We only got asked for ID twice once at Busch Gardens and once in a Subway (sandwich shop) on IDrive, this was when we were cashing $50 cheques. Mostly we just cashed them in the parks.

The only photo ID we had were the passports which we were not too happy carrying about. We thought we might have needed ID for the park tickets (Flex Pass and Ultimate) but no one ever asked. After we had visited the separate parks we stopped carrying them.

Next time going to get a photo driving licence. Love your tip Aceman about laminating a copy we will do that. Thanks.

 

[disneyvillainlover]

Just make sure you buy US dollar travellers cheques.
I just take out the plastic credit card sized drivers licence in case they ask for ID.

 

[mushumadness]

really easy to use (my dbf says i use them too easy lol.)

i dont take the $100 ones though had problems with them once

 

[k-herm]

Would a laminated copy of a passport be a viable alternative for photo ID? I don't have a photo driving licence.

 

[mushumadness]

i dont think so, my dbf carried hiss passport as he didnt have a dvla picture card

 

[k-herm]

thanks mushu. I didn't think it would be, but always worth asking.

 

[wicket2005]

Would a laminated copy of a passport be a viable alternative for photo ID? I don't have a photo driving licence.

If laminated driving licences are okay I don't see why a copy of your passport wouldn't be acceptable. All you can do is try it and if you are asked for ID and it isn't suitable just carry your passport about.

 

[wilma-bride]

I have just posted some info about a new TC card - this may eliminate the requirement for ID as I believe you have a pin number?

 

[disneyvillainlover]

I have heard people on another board saying that a photo copy of your passport will be accepted when cashing TCs though it is illegal to do a colour copy..must be black and white.
You will only get asked on the odd occasion anyway most places just take them with the counter signature.

 

[wicket2005]

I have just posted some info about a new TC card - this may eliminate the requirement for ID as I believe you have a pin number?

There were no pin and chip machines in Orlando that we saw. Perhaps the pin number is there so you can withdraw money from an ATM.

 

[wilma-bride]

There were no pin and chip machines in Orlando that we saw. Perhaps the pin number is there so you can withdraw money from an ATM.

That is true. However, apparently you can use the card as you would an Amex Credit Card - you wouldn't normally get asked for ID when using a CC in Orlando, would you?

 

[wicket2005]

My husband did once but I think it was more because the server didn't recognise the Nationwide card as a credit card. One of his colleagues said it has a signature so no ID required.

It sounds like this new card is just like a debit card. Are there charges to use ATMs because you always needs some notes? Mind you paying £20 for insurance is pretty steep.

The Nationwide cc is good because it doesn't charge you for using it abroad and only makes a nominal charge for ATM use. If you have a budget just keep the money saved in your current account ready to pay the cc bill in when it comes.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Are there charges to use ATMs because you always needs some notes? Mind you paying £20 for insurance is pretty steep.

The Nationwide cc is good because it doesn't charge you for using it abroad and only makes a nominal charge for ATM use. If you have a budget just keep the money saved in your current account ready to pay the cc bill in when it comes.

Yes there is a charge to withdraw cash from an ATM with the Amex TCC. Not surewhat it is for use of ATMs in the US, but when you use the TCC in the UK the charge is 1.50 pounds per withdrawl so I guess a similar fee for the US would apply.

If you want to the cheapest way to buy $$$s I think it is very hard to beat the Nationwide visa card.

Regards

Rob

 

[wicket2005]

We were impressed with the Nationwide but only used it for purchases. What is the percentage charge for ATM withdrawals?

 

[Shooby doo]

TC's just like cash,never had any problems,I'd have to say that I would be surprised at anyone accepting photo copies of id-no proof that it's genuine.Also don't forget (depending on how old you look) you could be asked for proof of ID to buy alcohol,the US is very srtict on this.
SD aw:

 

[orlando novice]

Have just got my Nationwide card in the post this morning, another thing off my to do list............

 

[gbrchill]

Have just got my Nationwide card in the post this morning, another thing off my to do list............

I applied for one, and got it about a week later. I wanted to use it in the
USA when I was there on business last month. I've just had the credit card bills in and the difference between two transactions on the same day is about 5 cents in the pound.

My NatWest CC exchanged at 1.70 $/£ and the Nationwide one at 1.75 $/£.
Doing the maths and I get the difference on a $100 purchase is £1.60. Not massive but better than nothing.

Chris.