| Author |  Topic  |
Florida2009
United Kingdom
96 Posts
Joined: 07 Aug 2008
Status: offline |  Posted - 04 Nov 2008 : 21:19:35  
| | I have recently heard that Walmart no longer accept travellers cheques. Can anyone verify this and if this is true where can you cash dollar travellers cheques or do i need to just go to a bank and cash. Eg Bank of America on US27 |
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Robert5988
United Kingdom
1697 Posts
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 04 Nov 2008 : 23:14:04
| Any reason why you still use travellers cheques? IMO like Postal Orders, they belong to a bygone age.
Surely anyone travelling to the USA has a debit and/or credit card?
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Florida2009
United Kingdom
96 Posts
Joined: 07 Aug 2008
Status: offline | Posted - 04 Nov 2008 : 23:17:26
| quote:
Originally posted by Robert5988
Any reason why you still use travellers cheques? IMO like Postal Orders, they belong to a bygone age.
Surely anyone travelling to the USA has a debit and/or credit card?
Using cards leaves you open to fluctuation in echange rate between spending and bills coming through. With travellers cheques you know exactly what you have got. |
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Katys Grandad
United Kingdom
1702 Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 05 Nov 2008 : 04:34:17
| quote:
Originally posted by Florida2009
quote:
Originally posted by Robert5988
Using cards leaves you open to fluctuation in echange rate between spending and bills coming through.
I don't know which card you have but with all my accounts the rate is determined when each card purchase is made, not when the bill is sent. |
Edited by - Katys Grandad on 05 Nov 2008 04:57:52 |
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Pegasus928
 Qatar
1041 Posts
Joined: 17 Feb 2005
Status: offline | Posted - 05 Nov 2008 : 06:26:29
| I can't remember the last time we used travellers cheques - and have certainly never used them in Florida.
We have just opened a Nationwide account after all the positive comments on this, and other, Florida forums. They also do a dollar account which I am looking into, which would work perfectly for me as I am paid in dollars (but into a UK sterling account) and this would cut out changing it back and forth when we next go to Florida in February.
Kenny |
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Andy & Arlene
United Kingdom
1395 Posts
Joined: 20 Feb 2002
Status: offline | Posted - 05 Nov 2008 : 07:52:19
| | Walmart still accept TC's. However, I'm pretty sure it is only Amercian Express ones. Every other shop still accept them too. |
Arlene
www.orlandovillas.com/Villas/138.aspx |
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Michelle
United Kingdom
1079 Posts
Joined: 06 Mar 2002
Status: offline | |
Robert5988
United Kingdom
1697 Posts
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 05 Nov 2008 : 12:36:38
| quote:
I can't remember the last time we used travellers cheques - and have certainly never used them in Florida.
We have just opened a Nationwide account after all the positive comments on this, and other, Florida forums. They also do a dollar account which I am looking into, which would work perfectly for me as I am paid in dollars (but into a UK sterling account) and this would cut out changing it back and forth when we next go to Florida in February.
I obviously use Nationwide debit and credit cards when abroad - there simply is no better way of obtaining US$ - best exchange rate and no charges.
Unfortuately the Nationwide US$ account is simply for savings and has restrictions on withdrawls; also no debit/credit card facility or cheque book. So it wouldn't suit the purpose you require.
You might like to look at Citibank UK. They have(obviously) Sterling current and saving accounts, but also linked US$ current and saving accounts.
You can transfer instantly on-line or by telephone between the US$ and UK£ accounts(and vice versa) and you have a US$ cheque book and debit card.
There are no bank charges as long as you keep £2,000 accross the various accounts.
The exchange rates are a cent or two lower than Nationwide, but much better than other credit cards and of course Travellers cheques.
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ujpest doza
United Kingdom
596 Posts
Joined: 23 Mar 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 05 Nov 2008 : 13:32:23
| I always take Dollar Travellers Cheques to the US.
Use the cashpoint and take a small amount of cash when travellin Europe.
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atush
United Kingdom
155 Posts
Joined: 02 Dec 2007
Status: offline | Posted - 05 Nov 2008 : 18:47:21
| Always use cash, TCs, and CCs over debit cards unless you have a Nationwide one as mentionned above. I can't have one as they don't offer accounts to those who live off shore.
As for TCs, I bought some a few months back and got 2.05 dollars to the pound. If I had waited to use a card last week, it would have been 1.5- 1.6 plus fees. I used many of them in Walmart, including $100 ones. Not only were they taken, and cash given as change, they didn't even ask for ID. I also used them easily in Publix and Macy's as well. But only get Amex ones, and be aware some that lower value outlets like Ponderosa may no longer take them. |
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sammibabe
United Kingdom
556 Posts
Joined: 19 May 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 08 Nov 2008 : 15:25:47
| | We used TC (amex) and cc (nationwide) in Walmart in Aug/ Sept this year both with no problems. I would never rely soley on a cc over there as I am not comfortable using them for small purchases whereas you can use a TC like cash. You can buy them when you feel the rate is good. I certainly feel there is a good use for them and they are not out dated at all. |
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Pegasus928
Qatar
1041 Posts
Joined: 17 Feb 2005
Status: offline | Posted - 09 Nov 2008 : 05:04:41
| quote:
Originally posted by Robert5988
quote:
I can't remember the last time we used travellers cheques - and have certainly never used them in Florida.
We have just opened a Nationwide account after all the positive comments on this, and other, Florida forums. They also do a dollar account which I am looking into, which would work perfectly for me as I am paid in dollars (but into a UK sterling account) and this would cut out changing it back and forth when we next go to Florida in February.
I obviously use Nationwide debit and credit cards when abroad - there simply is no better way of obtaining US$ - best exchange rate and no charges.
Unfortuately the Nationwide US$ account is simply for savings and has restrictions on withdrawls; also no debit/credit card facility or cheque book. So it wouldn't suit the purpose you require.
You might like to look at Citibank UK. They have(obviously) Sterling current and saving accounts, but also linked US$ current and saving accounts.
You can transfer instantly on-line or by telephone between the US$ and UK£ accounts(and vice versa) and you have a US$ cheque book and debit card.
There are no bank charges as long as you keep £2,000 accross the various accounts.
The exchange rates are a cent or two lower than Nationwide, but much better than other credit cards and of course Travellers cheques.
Thanks for the info Robert. I will certainly look into the Citi Bank account and, hopefully, get it up and running before Feb. I have only given the Nationwide a cursory glance up to now as it was mentioned by their advisor that they have a dollar account, but you have saved me a lot of time there.
I must admit to being suprised, when reading this thread, that so many people still take TC. I thought they were a thing of the past and a bit of a pain. When thinking back we used them once in Majorca in the days before our Florida trips and said 'never again' That was back in 2000 I think.
Kenny |
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sammibabe
United Kingdom
556 Posts
Joined: 19 May 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 10 Nov 2008 : 17:57:38
| | We never use them in Europe as it's not as easy as cash or CC but when you can use them in Florida as easy as cash but with more protection I can't see why anyone would think they were outdated. You can't pay for everything with debit or credit card. As someone else has said before, if we hadn't bought our tc when we did we would have had far less spends as the rate deteriated. If you have a bank account in the states or a dollar account then it would seem to be a whole different ball game. Personal preference at the end of the day as with most things. |
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gpullan
United Kingdom
91 Posts
Joined: 20 Jan 2008
Status: offline | Posted - 10 Nov 2008 : 21:38:21
| Hi. Just returned and exchanged my AMEX travellers cheques at The Bank of America in Celebration. Only had to go twice during the fortnight and we were visiting Celebration anyway to have breakfast in the Market Street Cafe.
Hope this helps
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Garry Pullan |
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Katys Grandad
United Kingdom
1702 Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 11 Nov 2008 : 04:51:40
| quote:
Originally posted by gpullan
Hi. Just returned and exchanged my AMEX travellers cheques at The Bank of America in Celebration. Only had to go twice during the fortnight and we were visiting Celebration anyway to have breakfast in the Market Street Cafe.
Hope this helps
Of course it's a matter of personal choice but I don't see any advantage to TC's especially if you're just going to use them to draw cash. You can do the same with a debit card and draw the exact amount you need at more or less any ATM. Even when you use them for purchases you receive your change in cash so what's the advantage?
I did use them years ago before credit/debit cards took hold but I've haven't found a need for them for a very long time. However, if people feel happier with them, that might be a reason in itself. |
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becbecs
 United Kingdom
3787 Posts
Joined: 03 Jan 2005
Status: offline | Posted - 11 Nov 2008 : 08:34:20
| Don't use Travellers Cheques anymore. As above prefer to use Cash.
We now have a pre-paid card from Travelex known as a Cash Passport. It is ment to be replacing Travellers Cheques. All you do is pre-load your card with your choice of currency and you get face value with no charges for transactions whilsts visiting that country. The only charge you would get is for using an ATM. We currently have a Euro Cash Passport which we can use anywhere in Europe, as you have already pre-loaded your card with Euro's you get face value and not the present exchange rate. As we are heading off to Florida next year I will be getting the US Dollar Cash Passport Card. They are accepted in most places and seem to be coming very popular. There are a number of companies offering these cards and as they are pre-loaded before your Holiday then you are simply using money and not putting things you purchase on credit.
With the travelex card you can also track your transactions on line which i'm sure you will be able to do with all the cards.
We find it very easy to use and had know problems when we were in Skiathos Greece this year. |
Jane & Fraser
http://www.orlandovillas.com/florida-vacation-rental-1910.aspx
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Val
 United Kingdom
615 Posts
Joined: 30 Aug 2002
Status: offline | Posted - 11 Nov 2008 : 15:14:27
| I must be a thing of the past as I still use Dollar travellers cheque's and used them in Walmart in October with no problem.
Val |
www.orlandovillas.com/villas/300.aspx |
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atush
United Kingdom
155 Posts
Joined: 02 Dec 2007
Status: offline | Posted - 11 Nov 2008 : 16:20:35
| I always use TCs (amex) in the USA, but never in Europe. In the US they are treated as cash in most places without a problem.
In europe I use cash or CCS only. |
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Madabouttigger
 United Kingdom
1170 Posts
Joined: 02 Jun 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 12 Nov 2008 : 17:40:28
| Plastic for me - Im a Nationwide girl, never had a problem and usually find a get a better exchange rate.
Diane. |
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wrpac00
 United Kingdom
3530 Posts
Joined: 21 Sep 2003
Status: offline | |
Maddie
United Kingdom
277 Posts
Joined: 11 Mar 2007
Status: offline | Posted - 16 Nov 2008 : 19:01:48
| | Thanks for the info guys. |
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Travellers Cheques
