Romania-Travellers cheques
Jul 14th, 2009, 10:19 AM
#1
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Romania-Travellers cheques
Going to Romania next week for four days. Amongst the monies we are taking will be travellers cheques. Are they more easily changed if Sterling or Euros?
Thank you
Thank you
Jul 14th, 2009, 11:16 AM
#2
No need for travellers checks anymore. They cost too much in fees and you'll receive poor exchange rates. Instead, use your debit card at ATMs.
For more info on this topic, see the lively discussion on this forum under 'Converting to Euros'!
For more info on this topic, see the lively discussion on this forum under 'Converting to Euros'!
Jul 14th, 2009, 11:57 AM
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The Wall fell 20 years ago, and Ceaucescu was shot shortly thereafter. By then, use of travellers checks as a primary means of currency exchange was a dead letter.
If I could get all my cash requirements from ATMs in Hungary seven years ago (and I could), you can do the same now in Romania. Just don't use credit cards, use your debit card.
If I could get all my cash requirements from ATMs in Hungary seven years ago (and I could), you can do the same now in Romania. Just don't use credit cards, use your debit card.
Jul 14th, 2009, 12:14 PM
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We've been using cash machines in Romania for at least 15 years.
Given the country joined the modern world late, I doubt anyone in Romania has the foggiest what travellers'cheques are. I've taken money into Romania in all sorts of guises, and in all sorts of quantities. I've never bothered with TCs and I've never even seen anyone try to use them.
Given that you spell properly, I assume you're British. If so, and if you feel the need for TCs as a comfort blanket, take them in sterling. You won't use them, so when you pay them back into your account back home you won't incur a forex fee.
For consumers, using any currency than the leu (plural: lei) means you'll almost always get ripped off in the exchange rate.
Given the country joined the modern world late, I doubt anyone in Romania has the foggiest what travellers'cheques are. I've taken money into Romania in all sorts of guises, and in all sorts of quantities. I've never bothered with TCs and I've never even seen anyone try to use them.
Given that you spell properly, I assume you're British. If so, and if you feel the need for TCs as a comfort blanket, take them in sterling. You won't use them, so when you pay them back into your account back home you won't incur a forex fee.
For consumers, using any currency than the leu (plural: lei) means you'll almost always get ripped off in the exchange rate.
Jul 14th, 2009, 01:43 PM
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Over the last year debit cards have been denied on a an increasing basis for members of my family when using them abroad. It has nothing to do with cleared funds and by now nothing to do with the bank's awareness of your travel plans.
The first time this happened the bank said afterwards that the pattern of withdrawal was unusual and so it was down to having failed to notify them of the trip.
The next time the bank rang our home when it had refused my daughter's card in New York City. She wasn't here (!) but they left a number for her to ring to clear the stop on her card . This number did not appear to be related to our bank.
The next time I travelled and told the bank I would use my debit card they said there was no guarantee that my card would work .
Yesterday my daughter rang before leaving for the Far East and they told her that they do not bother any longer noting plans on peoples accounts as the security measures almost ensure that ATM's will be refused .
That's why some of my spending cash is in the form of travellers cheques.
I do not pay for the provision of the cheques and if they are in sterling then I do not pay my bank for the purchase.
I never trade them in at the end but just keep them for the next trip. This can work in your favour sometimes.
The first time this happened the bank said afterwards that the pattern of withdrawal was unusual and so it was down to having failed to notify them of the trip.
The next time the bank rang our home when it had refused my daughter's card in New York City. She wasn't here (!) but they left a number for her to ring to clear the stop on her card . This number did not appear to be related to our bank.
The next time I travelled and told the bank I would use my debit card they said there was no guarantee that my card would work .
Yesterday my daughter rang before leaving for the Far East and they told her that they do not bother any longer noting plans on peoples accounts as the security measures almost ensure that ATM's will be refused .
That's why some of my spending cash is in the form of travellers cheques.
I do not pay for the provision of the cheques and if they are in sterling then I do not pay my bank for the purchase.
I never trade them in at the end but just keep them for the next trip. This can work in your favour sometimes.
Jul 19th, 2009, 08:47 AM
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I agree with nytraveler that you need to find a new bank. I'm not suggesting moving all of your accounts, but have a secondary bank for ATM use when you travel. Your problems are most uncommon, especially when you have notified your bank in advance.
To answer the question you originally posted, traveler's cheques are very difficult and expensive to cash most anywhere in the world. If the ATM is not an option, take cash to exchange with traveler's cheques only as a back-up in case you are robbed of your cash.
To answer the question you originally posted, traveler's cheques are very difficult and expensive to cash most anywhere in the world. If the ATM is not an option, take cash to exchange with traveler's cheques only as a back-up in case you are robbed of your cash.
Jul 19th, 2009, 09:33 AM
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I forgot to address your question about what currency to use if you buy TC's. If you must buy TC's then it doesn't matter if you buy them US$, £ or €'s because TC's are essentially worthless in any currency. If one of the currencies I named is you home currency, then use that. If you buy TC's in a foreign currency you are getting a lousy exchange when you buy them, then you will get another lousy exchange when you cash them at home. By using your home currency you can just deposit them straight into your bank. If your home currency is not the $, £ or € then it might be wiser to buy in one of those currencies.
But once again, please check into other banks for travel purposes. Exchanging the old-fashioned way is a heck of a lot of time, trouble and expense on your part and it's completely unnecessary in today's world.
But once again, please check into other banks for travel purposes. Exchanging the old-fashioned way is a heck of a lot of time, trouble and expense on your part and it's completely unnecessary in today's world.
Jul 19th, 2009, 10:00 AM
#9
ATMs allow you to get money at the right time and the right amount.
Much as I love romania it is one the second most corrupt country in the EU and criminality is forever close so take care and use the ATMs in open spaces with sensible people about.
Much as I love romania it is one the second most corrupt country in the EU and criminality is forever close so take care and use the ATMs in open spaces with sensible people about.
Jul 19th, 2009, 12:11 PM
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>>>>>>
The first time this happened the bank said afterwards that the pattern of withdrawal was unusual and so it was down to having failed to notify them of the trip.
>>>>>>
well natwest (part of one of the largest uk banks) will routinely stop my cash withdrawals when abroad. a call to the security dept will give the explanation - _______ (fill in with country in which you are travelling) is the worst country for bank card fraud...i've had this explained to me when trying to use the card in greece, italy, spain, south africa, and other countries.
having heard people here from more civilised countries than the uk say that you just inform your bank of your travel plans, i asked the security dept if i can inform them of travel plans in the future to avoid these surprises. the clear answer was 'no' you just need to call when your card doesn't work. the uk has a very backward banking system. and we pride ourselves on being so well travelled and global. why can't our backward banks deal with travelers?
The first time this happened the bank said afterwards that the pattern of withdrawal was unusual and so it was down to having failed to notify them of the trip.
>>>>>>
well natwest (part of one of the largest uk banks) will routinely stop my cash withdrawals when abroad. a call to the security dept will give the explanation - _______ (fill in with country in which you are travelling) is the worst country for bank card fraud...i've had this explained to me when trying to use the card in greece, italy, spain, south africa, and other countries.
having heard people here from more civilised countries than the uk say that you just inform your bank of your travel plans, i asked the security dept if i can inform them of travel plans in the future to avoid these surprises. the clear answer was 'no' you just need to call when your card doesn't work. the uk has a very backward banking system. and we pride ourselves on being so well travelled and global. why can't our backward banks deal with travelers?
Jul 19th, 2009, 12:40 PM
#11
I agree about needing a new bank. While you might not be paying to get the TC's from your bank (although you are be given a lousy exchange rate if you are getting them in anything other than your local currency which essentially is paying), you will be ripped-off in the cashing process (lousy rate and perhaps a fee on top). You will find it difficult to find somewhere that will take them at all and if you do, expect to lose money in the transaction.
I traveled in Europe a few years ago with someone that took TC's in euro and no one would cash them at all.
I traveled in Europe a few years ago with someone that took TC's in euro and no one would cash them at all.
