I looked at it, but didn't like some of the 'features'. I think it has a limited shelf-life, you have to pay to reload it or something. The amount you can load is not very much for a European trip, imo.

I just decided to open a free checking acct that is not tied to any other accts at my bank, and get a separate ATM card for it. I will move my cash ("prepaid") into that acct for travel expenses. No fees to me unless I incur the eventual non-Wachovia ATM use fee. This is a CheckCard (Visa logo) so it can be used as a 'credit' card (as far as the merchant is concerned) for purchases as well as to obtain cash.

Should the card become lost/stolen, the damage is limited to what I put in the account (which s/b replaced eventually by the bank, as long as I report it timely), and I will not experience any disruption with my regular checking acct, where I pay bills, have auto-debits for insur prems, etc.

I'm doing the same thing as Travelnut, except I ordered a card without the Visa logo so if lost or stolen it is useless. Fortunately my bank has reciprocity with several European banks so there are no out of network fees and the card is good at all Plus and Cirrus ATMs.

This card was introduced by AMEX/AAA to counteract the near demise of travelers checks. It is just another retail product. It has limited value - BUT the one instance where it does make sense is for a teenager or one who for some reason or other doesn't have a bank account.

They can use it just like any ATM/debit card w/o having to have a checking account.

Figure up your exchange rate when buying the thing. I calculated it at something like 6%. You could set up a limited fund checking account with an ATM card and pay the service fees much more cheaply than you can buy one of those "you just got stuck cards."

For example, I have an account. Gave my daughter an ATM card, told her what the limits were, sent her happily off to Europe. She knew the ropes of using it because we discussed it before hand and she did not overdraw. I checked the balance a couple of times on the computer and saw that she was ok money wise the whole time.
Of course she was not exactly a kid at the time. Added maturity helps.
So the bottom line is this: I would not have one of those silly things.
How do you restock them in case of an emergency when you are over here and they are over there.

if you want it for yourself, no way.
Just use your own checking account.

Hi gan,

A 6% profit on the exchange rate plus $2 per withdrawl makes this a bad bargain.