Spain--Money
 

I am trying to decide how best to carry money in Spain for a two week visit. Besides some cash, and credit cards, I am thinking of getting Travelers Checks in Euros, which will be reasonable through AAA. However my question is how well will the Traveler's Checks (in eoros) be accepted. For example, will 20 Eoro denomination be treated the same as cash?

thanks

Traveller's Checks are almost non existent here. They can be useful as a backup..I mean, you unexpectedly need money, you search for a bank who wants to change it and do it but don't expect it serves you as cash ! Not only in Spain, in any place in Europe in fact.

I'd skip the travelers checks period. They are a total hassle in Europe and a lot of places will not take them, euro's or not. The best way is to use your ATM card to get cash. As long as your ATM card uses a 4 digit pen number it will work.

Euro TC's are most definitely NOT accepted as cash. Forget everything you heard on those AmEX commericals, it's complete bull.

I was in Spain a couple of years ago and some people in my group brought TCs in €. They tried for 3 days to cash those in stores or restaurants, only to find that nobody wanted them. They finally went to a bank and paid fees to cash them. They were so mad, and said those euro TC's were a complete waste.

Use your ATM card. Period.

I used my ATM card totally in Spain last year, but always take TCs from AAA as backup, just in case. I didn't use them so am not sure how the rates work in Spain.

Do NOT get them in euro, this is pointless. You will have to exchange them anyway at a bank or cambio, and AAA charges a high fee to get them in euro. You get them free from AAA if you simply get them in USD, which ios just as easy to cash as when they are in euro. Do not even think of getting them in euro so you can use them directly instead of local cash in restaurants, stores, etc.

Are you aware of how much AAA charges to get them in euro? It's very high.

Thanks for all the hepful advice. It is really appreciated.

I always use my ATM card without any bother whatsoever

If you want to take Travelers Checks, for whatever reason, plan to cash them at a bank or possibly your hotel, not spend them directly in businesses. They are often not accepted.

You might rather get them in USD so when you bring them home unused(!) you can deposit them without paying fees or conversion twice.

Basically as others have already said, no, they are definitely not treated the same as cash!

I concur with the others here - just take your ATM card for cash. Much easier and more convenient. My boyfriend didn't take TCs, but for some reason did take a hundred dollar bill (that I knew nothing about beforehand), and tried changing it along the way. He encounter multiple problems at banks from exchange rates, to outright refusals, to banks being closed during siesta (something you must keep in mind!). You know, he came home with that bill still in his wallet!

Make it convenient for yourself!

Just be aware that your ATM card must have a 4-digit (number only - no letter) pin and MUST be linked to your checking account. If it is linked only to your savings account it will not work.

It would not hurt to have $200 or so in U.S. twenties as emergency backup if you forego TCs altogether. Especially upon landing -- if the airport ATM isn't functioning (very unlikely), there's always the old-fashioned exchange booth, where the exchange rate won't be great but you will be able to get euros.

Traveler's checks are no good, not even as a back-up. A much better back-up is a spare credit card and perhaps a little USD cash.