Travellers Cheques

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

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?

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">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?


[/quote]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.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Florida2009
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Robert5988

[/quote]Using cards leaves you open to fluctuation in echange rate between spending and bills coming through.

[/quote]

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.

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

Walmart still accept TC's. However, I'm pretty sure it is only Amercian Express ones. Every other shop still accept them too.

American Express travellers cheques are teh best ones to have as a lot of the smaller shops do not always recognies for example Visa travellers cheques. We have used Amex travellers cheques in Wal Mart with no problems when we were in Florida August this year,

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">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.[/quote]

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.

I always take Dollar Travellers Cheques to the US.

Use the cashpoint and take a small amount of cash when travellin Europe.

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.

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.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Robert5988
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">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.[/quote]

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.

[/quote]

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

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.

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

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">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
[/quote]

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.

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.

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

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.

Plastic for me - Im a Nationwide girl, never had a problem and usually find a get a better exchange rate.

Diane.

I just transfer money over to my US account and draw it out of an ATM. Most of the time I use my Virgin CC though.

Thanks for the info guys.

I buy TCs when the exchange rate is good then decide when I am away do I use the TCs or the CC (nationwide). When we go in 2 weeks I think we will be using the TCs as I bought them at $2 the commercial rate today is $1.49

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:I buy TCs when the exchange rate is good then decide when I am away do I use the TCs or the CC (nationwide). When we go in 2 weeks I think we will be using the TCs as I bought them at $2 the commercial rate today is $1.49[/quote]

What a good idea, I hadn't thought of doing that;)

Mind you I wasn't aware that Sterling would weaken, then neither were my pals in the City.

So what is your tip today? should I buy TCs?

What if the US$ gets weaker - won't I lose money;)

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Lyn
I buy TCs when the exchange rate is good then decide when I am away do I use the TCs or the CC (nationwide).
[/quote]

Trouble is, you only know whether the rate is 'Good' sometime after you buy the TC's. As you've pointed out, the rate when you bought is good only in terms of where it is today. We'll only know if today's rate is worth buying in a few weeks/months/years time, by which time, of course, it's too late!

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Katys Grandad
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Lyn
I buy TCs when the exchange rate is good then decide when I am away do I use the TCs or the CC (nationwide).
[/quote]

Trouble is, you only know whether the rate is 'Good' sometime after you buy the TC's. As you've pointed out, the rate when you bought is good only in terms of where it is today. We'll only know if today's rate is worth buying in a few weeks/months/years time, by which time, of course, it's too late!
[/quote]

If only we could predict the future we would all be rich[msnwink] The change in exchange rate is such a big impact on the cost of a trip to Florida though. I was looking through our records from Feb this year and if we do the same things and buy a similar level of stuff, next years trip is going to cost us about £1,500 more - that is a really big difference.[msncry]

In the past, largely because of the exchange rate, everything in Florida has seemed such good value - I guess that this is no longer the case.

We have been going since 93 and the exchange rate over the years has been up and down $2 being the highest but has been as low as $1.35, doesn't stop us going just adjust the place we stay and where we visit. I would always choose a villa but if the only way I could aford to go was by staying in a cheap hotel then so be it.

You can't have your ID stolen off the back of TC's!! With so many tourists to the states this is becoming more & more common with cards being used! For instance - when the waiter/waitress disappears with your card for payment at the end of your meal, it's not always being swiped in just the restaurant machine!!

Always used TC's and always will! Just my view [msnwink]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:You can't have your ID stolen off the back of TC's!! With so many tourists to the states this is becoming more & more common with cards being used! For instance - when the waiter/waitress disappears with your card for payment at the end of your meal, it's not always being swiped in just the restaurant machine!!

Always used TC's and always will! Just my view [/quote]

So you must use TC's in UK then?

or are you confident that it is only in Florida where your card might be cloned?

I always prefer to use cash when on holiday, so the scenario of the waiter/waitress swiping my card to steal my identity has never worried me. But then neither has it bothered me in the UK, Kuwait, Qatar etc where I have used my cards on many occassions and - so far - have kept my ID all to myself.

I also thought that card swiping was actually on the decrease due to chip and pin, and as you are unlikely to be able to have your identity stolen via your card alone (due to the fact that it doesnt contain your address, date of birth nor even your full name on some occassions) this really is something people shouldn't be worrying too much about.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Robert5988
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:You can't have your ID stolen off the back of TC's!! With so many tourists to the states this is becoming more & more common with cards being used! For instance - when the waiter/waitress disappears with your card for payment at the end of your meal, it's not always being swiped in just the restaurant machine!!

Always used TC's and always will! Just my view [/quote]

So you must use TC's in UK then?

or are you confident that it is only in Florida where your card might be cloned?


[/quote]

The point is about tourists being vulnerable in a different country!!

I don't tend to eat out every night in different restaurants in the UK or have a habbit of giving my card to just anyone who will disappear with it!!

I also buy TCs when the rate is obviously good.

I bought as much as I could last summer when the $ was so good with my €. Of course I knew I'd be traveling to the US soon, but you can always get your money back if you change your mind.
I've never had problems using TCs anywhere in the US (and that includes less touristic areas like Kansas or Alabama), even buying a postcard. Now they tend to ask for an ID a lot more often (no big deal really), and I've encountered waiters who "didn't know if they could take it", had them call the manager and that was that. I also like the idea of getting my money back if my TCs are stolen.

I have no afterthoughts using my CC anywhere in the world though, I just don't let anyone go out of my sight with it, no matter what their reason is...[msnwink] And as my bank charges me a lot when I use it abroad, with a minimum charge, I tend to use it for bigger amounts of money and only if I don't have a choice.[msncry]