travellers cheques.

[lgp1]

Hi everyone
could anyone tell me if travellers cheques are easy to use.When i've previously been to Disney i've used dollars but someone has said it would be better to take travellers cheques.Any info appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Mr Ed]

American Express Dollar travellers checks can be used just the same as money virtually anywhere around Orlando.

Have had problems with Thomas Cook t.c's in New York and they got extra attention when used around Orlando.

Ed

 

[kristieuk]

There are plenty of threads about the American Express Travellers Cheque Card - it's like a pre-loaded credit card you can use as cash anywhere that accepts Amex. It's more convenient than TC's because it is just one card, and it carries the same insurance and protection should it get lost or stolen. It can also be used to withdraw cash from an ATM, although there is a small charge for this.

You do have to be careful with cash because most holiday insurance will only cover you up to £500 if it is lost or stolen.

You can read more about the TC card here:-
http://www.americanexpress.com/uk/tcc/index.shtml

 

[Goofyish]

We took loads of AMEX TC's and had no problem using them throughout WDW, in shops, counter service and sit down restaurants. They are almost the same as paying in cash.

I don't think we were ever asked for photo ID, even when using a $100 cheque.

If you take TCs make a note of the serial numbers and when you and where your spend each cheque, then if you loose them, you know which cheques have been used and which lost

We were asked a number of times for photo ID when using a credit card, especially at the Florida Mall. They don't seem to have chip and pin, you have to swipe your card through a reader and sign an electronic pad, very strange!

 

[wilma-bride]

As others have said, TCs are really easy to use. They are accepted throughout the parks as well as most restaurants and shops. They are treated just like cash. You hand over your TC and they give you change. They are also a lot safer than cash as, if you lose your cash, you have to get more and wait till you get home to claim on your insurance. With TCs, you have a special number to phone if they are lost/stolen and they can be replaced within 24 hours.

 

[FLORIDA DREAMING]

Hi there.

We're due to go for the first time in October 2006 and I was wondering the same thing. Just wondering though if they can be used for small purchases, such as a couple of ice-creams etc, or if there is a minimum purchase amount.

Also, obviously we will need to get some hard cash for tolls etc and sundries when we arrive. How much do you usually take with you?

 

[jdybnsn]

Travellers Cheques have their place, but personally you would be much better equiped (IMO) with a Nationwide credit card as you will get much better value for money on your purchases....... and Visa based credit cards (which the Nationwide credit card is) are widely acceptable in the US.

 

[Candy]

If you stay at a disney hotel you can take your travelers chegues to the front desk [any amount you wish ] and they will transfer the amount on to your room key.then you only have to show your key at the parks and have it charged.you can top up your room key as you go along. if you have any credit left at the end of the holidaythe front desk will give you a refund in cash.we found this system very handy at the water parks.also you know what you are spending as you go along.no big credit card bill when you get home.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi there.

We're due to go for the first time in October 2006 and I was wondering the same thing. Just wondering though if they can be used for small purchases, such as a couple of ice-creams etc, or if there is a minimum purchase amount.

Also, obviously we will need to get some hard cash for tolls etc and sundries when we arrive. How much do you usually take with you?

To be honest I always take cash now and no TCs.

For when you arrive it is best if you have some change, small notes etc available for tolls and tips, you will also need $1 bills if you need a trolley for your cases at MCO Airport (if that's where you fly into).

Personally for small purchases such as Ice Cream I would advise you to use cash, if you do take TCs you may want to take 50% TC and 50 % cash, I would never even consider taking all my money in TCs...but that is just my preference.

 

[mandymouse]

In previous years we have taken a small amount of cash and mainly TC's. This past holiday we had the American Express Travellers card. We would withdraw 3 or 4 days worth of money (then put it in our room safe), I think we only needed to withdraw 3 times, twice from IOA and once from Magic Kingdom. We will definitely use them again

 

[AlanUK]

We have always taken half cash and half Travellers Cheques as Johnny has already suggested

We try to get the cash in smaller denominations that the Travellers Cheques and then use a mixture of each on any given day saving the Travellers Cheques for our larger purchases. That said though everywhere we have been the Travellers Cheques have been treated exactly the same as if we had just paid by cash. It's just nice to have the extra insurance that you get with them

 

[alisonbestford]

Our local Thomas Cook has an offer on the American Express Travellers Cheque card at the moment (as in today but it could finish anytime)
Buy a $2000 card and get $250 free
If you only want a $1000 card you get $100.
The offer's been on a while, and you can bet it'll have finished tomorrow by the time I get there clutching my cash, but it's worth a try

 

[wilma-bride]

Travellers Cheques have their place, but personally you would be much better equiped (IMO) with a Nationwide credit card as you will get much better value for money on your purchases....... and Visa based credit cards (which the Nationwide credit card is) are widely acceptable in the US.

That may be so but some people like to have the money in advance, rather than a huge bill to come back to when they return. I, for one, do not have a credit card and wouldn't even consider getting one - I like to know that, when I'm on holiday, I'm only spending what I can afford. The temptation, for me, to overspend would just be too great otherwise.

 

[susieh]

We'll take 50/50 TCs and cash when we go in June (rather than CCs so we know what we are spending) - but I dont want a TC card, i want paper cheques. There were places we used the cheques at in the past where they didnt take cards so I am assuming those same places would not be able to take the new TC card. Has anyone any experience of this?

 

[Miffy2003]

We'll take 50/50 TCs and cash when we go in June (rather than CCs so we know what we are spending) - but I dont want a TC card, i want paper cheques.

I'm with you there susie. I know I would lose track with the cards - I like to have the cash and physically count some out for myself every day.

Though I usually take approx 30% cash 70% TCs

I would never go without my credit card as back up though in case of an emergency

 

[mickg7dyd]

Hi,
In the past I have always used my Nationwide Credit Card on my trips. But the Amex travellers cheque card offer was that good I used it last time I went. If a big corperation like Amex wants to give me $250 I am certainly not going to turn it down.

Mick.

 

[alisonbestford]

I have spent some of this evening trying to find something bad about the American Express card ,as the travel agent was so enthusiastic about it.
It seems that you can use it everywhere that there is an 'American Express' sign which, in Florida, I guess will be most places
If I can get the $250 deal I intend to take the card, plus dollars, and maybe a few travellers cheques.
I have to admit that I didn't find anything awful about the card so I'll see what happens tomorrow

 

[wilma-bride]

I have spent some of this evening trying to find something bad about the American Express card ,as the travel agent was so enthusiastic about it.
It seems that you can use it everywhere that there is an 'American Express' sign which, in Florida, I guess will be most places
If I can get the $250 deal I intend to take the card, plus dollars, and maybe a few travellers cheques.
I have to admit that I didn't find anything awful about the card so I'll see what happens tomorrow

The only thing that really put me off was the $2.50 charge each time you withdraw cash from an ATM. But, even so, if you are getting $250 free then that would more than cover any cash withdrawal fees. We would probably take a reasonable amount out each time and keep it in the hotel safe.

 

[alisonbestford]

But, even so, if you are getting $250 free then that would more than cover any cash withdrawal fees. We would probably take a reasonable amount out each time and keep it in the hotel safe.

That's the way I look at it too
Hope I can still get it tomorrow.
We'll still take around £300 in cash as we're going for 3 weeks so I doubt there'll be anything left on the card.....

 

[Amyrlin]

I have missed the $250 offer on the amex card, can someone point me in tha direction?

Amex travellers cheques have never given me any problems.