Eurochecks
 

I will be traveling to Germany late summer. I know about how much I will spend in the places that do not take charge cards. Am I better to order Eurochecks? I had been told I could cash them without a charge. Does anyone know if hotels also cash them or just banks? Many thanks!

It MAY be possible to find some places that will accept or cash the Eurochecks. Sometimes there may be NO CHARGE to do so, but since you will have probably lost up to 10% of your money on the exchange rate when you buy them, that would probably be of little consolation.
At the risk of sounding too obvious, have you ever heard of ATM cards? They are THE BEST way to get "local" cash at the least cost to you.

I think Patrick is assuming you are in a non-euro country. That may or may not be true, I don't know, but since you use the word eurocheck, I think maybe you are living in Europe. Since I'm American, these aren't bought here, but from what I've read, they are cashed the same way as US travelers checks or a personal check -- mostly banks or exchanges, but some hotels or large stores may take them. I gather this is like a checking account that can be used anywhere in Europe to pay in the local currency.

In France checks are common. In Germany they are not. My German cousin who has a piece of land in France has me pay the taxes from my French checkbook because the fee for writing a check would be as high as his taxes, about 12€. When I was in Belgium, the hostess of my B&B did not want to be paid with a check because of the fee the bank would charge for depositing it. She was French and relented because she was going to see her parents that summer so they could cash the check in France at no cost.

>Am I better to order Eurochecks?

Eurochecks are not used in Germany for about 5 years now. They had been guaranteed up to certain amount by the banks before, but since this guarantee has be revoked, nobody!!! is using them any more. They won`t be accepted by anybody! It`s just like a personal check from you bank. No (sane) business will accept it ;-)

topping

Again ;-) Eurockecks do not exist any longer in Europe. They are treated like any personal check. If you want to cash one at a bank, and don`t have an account there, expect to pay A LOT in fees. Furtermore if they accept it, they will call your bank first to see if you actually have the money. If you have such a check, you can of cause use it to pay in advance.

I must confess my ignorance. I hear the term EuroCheques today, referring to Traveler's Cheques in Euro. I was unaware they used to be something else entirely.

I remember seeing Eurocheque signs at cash registers in Europe years ago. I recall asking someone where I could obtain them, and the answer was something to the effect "It is impossible for you".
I'd forgotten all about that until this post came up.

Thanks for all your responses. I must admit I am puzzled, because both my bank and AAA told me they sell eurochecks. They indicate they are the same as Travelers checks, but in euros? I could use ATM's, but is there a fee, and we will be in some pretty small towns? I got the idea the "eurochecks" the bank and AAA were talking about cash just like American Express travelers checks, and should have no fee as they are already in euros. Anyone that can clarify I'd appreciate it.

I got some travellers checks in Euros to take with us because On many web sites the hotels said they take them in lieu of VISA at no chearge.

AnnaDebbie:

What your bank and AAA are referring to are undoubtedly traveler's checks denominated in euros. These are NOT a convenient way to pay for things. Merchants hardly ever accept them, and you'll stand in line and pay a commission to cash them - big waste of vacation.
Use your ATM card. There are no fees associated with using any ATM in Europe, and you get the best excchange rate.

AnnaDebbie: As StCirq says, what you are asking about are not "Eurochecks", but are merely euro travelers checks. Exactly the same as travelers checks in US $, or in Can. $, or Japanese yen.

For the most part, travelers checks are not the best method. There IS a fee to cash them almost anywhere, plus you have to pay a bad exchange rate to buy them in the first place. Plus, most places don't take travelers checks at all - so you have to go to banks to cash them.

So forget about eurochecks, and euro travelers checks - just use your ATM card to get cash as you go along . . . . .

This is a Eurocheck (no longer used)
http://www.zahlungsverkehrsfragen.de/euroscheck.jpg

This is a travellers check in Euros.
http://www.berry.edu/academics/human...mages/amex.jpg

>>>>>
There are no fees associated with using any ATM in Europe, and you get the best excchange rate.
>>>>>

not true, but using the cash machine is still the best deal.

AnnaDebbie,

"Pretty small towns" are more likely to have an ATM than a business willing to cash a TC, whether in dollars or euros. Check with your local credit union for no fee ATM withdawals.

Agree with walking around - there is a charge for ATM but it is not much (with my bank anyway) - and the exchange rate is better than TTs - have not used a TT in over a decade and travelled through many European countries. Only diffuclty with using an ATM was my own fault - I use my Visa card as a debit card at home - only after getting out money did I realise I had ineffect taken a cash advance on my Visa - was very pleased I had electronic banking and fixed the problem on the net

In western Europe not only a pretty small town but even a large village is likely to have an ATM

Ben Haines, London
[email protected]

Author: walkinaround
Date: 07/19/2005, 03:31 pm
>>>>>
There are no fees associated with using any ATM in Europe, and you get the best excchange rate.
>>>>>

not true, but using the cash machine is still the best deal.




I'm not sure what "walkinaround's" point was except that that statement left our the words at any <bank> ATM. Just like in the states if you use an ATM at a convenience store or a casino, there will be a fee -- but not at any BANK ATM in Europe.