Travelers Checks?
Sep 27th, 2009, 10:09 AM
#21
I carry them as back-up (to cash USD, cash euro, ATM card, credit card). It makes me feel better to have as many options as possible if something unforeseen happens. I would plan to cash TCs at an exchange bureau in an emergency only, not be trying to spend them directly in businesses or cash at a bank as an every day thing.
Sep 27th, 2009, 12:19 PM
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This morning I was reading a post on Travel Advisor about a woman who couldn't get her ATM to work in Paris. 
So I do think I'll pick up some at the bank. Just as an emergency back up. Hopefully I won't need them.
So I do think I'll pick up some at the bank. Just as an emergency back up. Hopefully I won't need them.
Sep 27th, 2009, 12:40 PM
#23
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 13,812
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Janisj- First of all, I don't pay any money to get traveler's checks. I have a AmExp Platinum card. They do not charge me a fee when they issue them to me. There are also some banks that don't charge its customers fees either, depending on the connection the customer has with his/her particular bank.
Second-Who would assume that one would be trying to walk into a department store and use them to purchase items with? That's NOT the reason for getting them. I've been using them, just fine since 1973, in Europe and since around 1976 in Paris, and exchange them at an exchange bureaux for cash Euros. Back in the day, it was, of course French Francs.
Third-They are NOT difficult to cash for Euros in Paris. And as far as the exchange rate, it depends on the exchange bureaux. It's about basic comparison shopping. I'm really glad that I exchanged both cash/traveler's checks in April 2009 at 1.37. It gave me enough leftover money as to not have to cash any money on last month's trip of a week in Paris. And I was still spending money at 1.37, not the almost 1.50 of last month.
Some exchange bureaux places have lower exchange rates than other ones. For those of us who use them, we know where to go and not to go....as in not to go to the rue Rivoli, as it's usually quite expensive to exchange them there.
Fourth-As far as traveler's checks, in general, it depends on where one is traveling in the world. In some countries/cities, they are easy to use. In others more difficult, so in some places an ATM card would be the best. BUT, travelers need to let their bank/credit union know when they are leaving and where they are going to.
I contacted my credit union of using my American-issued debit card in Bangkok, for example, to pay my rent and was told it was fine and then when I tried using it, the card wouldn't go through. And I had about $2,000 tied up in that account that I needed to be able to access while away, but couldn't.
When I got home, I found out that Thailand is on my credit union's high fraud list and that they will not allow the card to be used period in Thailand. The person who had okayed the use of the card, later admitted that she didn't realize that Bangkok was in Thailand. So, it's good that I had my AmExp credit card, and that it worked, to pay my apartment rent with or else it would have been cashing traveler's checks and cash to pay the rent and also using my Thai bank-issued debit card. Had I not had various means of funds, I could have been stranded for 3 weeks.
I'm on tripadvisor's France forum right now as this money/traveler's check situation is being discussed and posters have pointed out that traveler's checks are very accepted in Mexico, for example. So, to put the word out there as if they are obsolete in the world is not accurate information. And I've been hearing such rhetoric for years on the forum.
Now, I haven't used them in Mexico, but have used them in other countries/cities in the world where it has not been a problem at all. I'm on 1-3 overseas vacations a year.
Fifth-Right now, we posters are over on tripadvisor trying to help a woman who's mother is in Paris with an ATM card that won't work. She's asking us how to get money to her mom as the bank has not been helpful at all. She's made three calls to BofA . She should be enjoying her vacation, but instead she's wasting away her vacation being back and forth to her daughter and her bank here in the States.
There are other recent posters on tripadvisor who have had problems with their ATM cards not working and one said it took three weeks to straighten it out with the bank. So, why would one want to be totally plastic dependent? I have had to foot other people's bills on vacation because of their plastic problems and them being so hellbent on not getting any traveler's checks, before leaving home, or taking enough in traveler's check/cash to cover their trip in case the plastic fails. And I'm just tired of footing other people's bills.
I don't leave my residence here at home with only plastic in my wallet, so why would I travel half way around the world with only plastic in my wallet? I remember numerous times in Paris, over three-plus decades of going there, of trying to pay my hotel bill with a credit card, but it not going through because something was wrong with the system. Then the desk clerk would ask me to pay the bill in cash. That is why I always try to pay my hotel bill the night before I am scheduled to leave, in case the credit card doesn't work. Then I can get to an exchange bureaux and get cash. The problems in the past have been in the system, so using another credit card didn't solve the problem.
Fifth-I'm not out buying traveler's checks in Euros. I buy them in U.S. dollars and if I don't use them all and need some extra cash at home, I can use them here. Or I save them for the next trip.
Sixth-Here is the website for those who might one day need an exchange bureaux in Paris. You never know. It's www.bureaux-de-change.com/plan-site.php. When the page comes up, it might say that the page has expired. If it has, then just go to the top, left-hand corner and click on "Plan du Site". Then scroll to where it will say,"Les Bureaux de Change dan le____arrondissement de Paris. In the blank will be the district number.
There are 16 exchange places listed in the 6th district alone and lots in the first district along with other districts.
Seventh- For me personally, it is much easier and stress free to find a good exchange bureaux and get the money that I need for the week and hopefully not have to worry about money issues for the rest of the trip.
And of course, I travel with various means of funds....traveler's checks/cash/credit card/ and even an ATM card or two, just in case. But, with not using the ATM card, I don't have to worry about the machine possibly eating it, it possibly not working, or as what happened to a tripadvisor poster, the card being closed out because of a banking security breach while on his honeymoon. That person was more than happy to have taken along traveler's checks and said he would be getting some more for his next trip. Or worse, what happened to another poster, someone, I think here on fodors, who commented about fraud being committed of $1400. on his/her card. So, for those who want to only use ATM cards, then fine and more power to you, but I will continue to tell my friends who ask about money issues in Paris or anywhere else, to take a combination of VARIOUS funds. Happy Travels!
Second-Who would assume that one would be trying to walk into a department store and use them to purchase items with? That's NOT the reason for getting them. I've been using them, just fine since 1973, in Europe and since around 1976 in Paris, and exchange them at an exchange bureaux for cash Euros. Back in the day, it was, of course French Francs.
Third-They are NOT difficult to cash for Euros in Paris. And as far as the exchange rate, it depends on the exchange bureaux. It's about basic comparison shopping. I'm really glad that I exchanged both cash/traveler's checks in April 2009 at 1.37. It gave me enough leftover money as to not have to cash any money on last month's trip of a week in Paris. And I was still spending money at 1.37, not the almost 1.50 of last month.
Some exchange bureaux places have lower exchange rates than other ones. For those of us who use them, we know where to go and not to go....as in not to go to the rue Rivoli, as it's usually quite expensive to exchange them there.
Fourth-As far as traveler's checks, in general, it depends on where one is traveling in the world. In some countries/cities, they are easy to use. In others more difficult, so in some places an ATM card would be the best. BUT, travelers need to let their bank/credit union know when they are leaving and where they are going to.
I contacted my credit union of using my American-issued debit card in Bangkok, for example, to pay my rent and was told it was fine and then when I tried using it, the card wouldn't go through. And I had about $2,000 tied up in that account that I needed to be able to access while away, but couldn't.
When I got home, I found out that Thailand is on my credit union's high fraud list and that they will not allow the card to be used period in Thailand. The person who had okayed the use of the card, later admitted that she didn't realize that Bangkok was in Thailand. So, it's good that I had my AmExp credit card, and that it worked, to pay my apartment rent with or else it would have been cashing traveler's checks and cash to pay the rent and also using my Thai bank-issued debit card. Had I not had various means of funds, I could have been stranded for 3 weeks.
I'm on tripadvisor's France forum right now as this money/traveler's check situation is being discussed and posters have pointed out that traveler's checks are very accepted in Mexico, for example. So, to put the word out there as if they are obsolete in the world is not accurate information. And I've been hearing such rhetoric for years on the forum.
Now, I haven't used them in Mexico, but have used them in other countries/cities in the world where it has not been a problem at all. I'm on 1-3 overseas vacations a year.
Fifth-Right now, we posters are over on tripadvisor trying to help a woman who's mother is in Paris with an ATM card that won't work. She's asking us how to get money to her mom as the bank has not been helpful at all. She's made three calls to BofA . She should be enjoying her vacation, but instead she's wasting away her vacation being back and forth to her daughter and her bank here in the States.
There are other recent posters on tripadvisor who have had problems with their ATM cards not working and one said it took three weeks to straighten it out with the bank. So, why would one want to be totally plastic dependent? I have had to foot other people's bills on vacation because of their plastic problems and them being so hellbent on not getting any traveler's checks, before leaving home, or taking enough in traveler's check/cash to cover their trip in case the plastic fails. And I'm just tired of footing other people's bills.
I don't leave my residence here at home with only plastic in my wallet, so why would I travel half way around the world with only plastic in my wallet? I remember numerous times in Paris, over three-plus decades of going there, of trying to pay my hotel bill with a credit card, but it not going through because something was wrong with the system. Then the desk clerk would ask me to pay the bill in cash. That is why I always try to pay my hotel bill the night before I am scheduled to leave, in case the credit card doesn't work. Then I can get to an exchange bureaux and get cash. The problems in the past have been in the system, so using another credit card didn't solve the problem.
Fifth-I'm not out buying traveler's checks in Euros. I buy them in U.S. dollars and if I don't use them all and need some extra cash at home, I can use them here. Or I save them for the next trip.
Sixth-Here is the website for those who might one day need an exchange bureaux in Paris. You never know. It's www.bureaux-de-change.com/plan-site.php. When the page comes up, it might say that the page has expired. If it has, then just go to the top, left-hand corner and click on "Plan du Site". Then scroll to where it will say,"Les Bureaux de Change dan le____arrondissement de Paris. In the blank will be the district number.
There are 16 exchange places listed in the 6th district alone and lots in the first district along with other districts.
Seventh- For me personally, it is much easier and stress free to find a good exchange bureaux and get the money that I need for the week and hopefully not have to worry about money issues for the rest of the trip.
And of course, I travel with various means of funds....traveler's checks/cash/credit card/ and even an ATM card or two, just in case. But, with not using the ATM card, I don't have to worry about the machine possibly eating it, it possibly not working, or as what happened to a tripadvisor poster, the card being closed out because of a banking security breach while on his honeymoon. That person was more than happy to have taken along traveler's checks and said he would be getting some more for his next trip. Or worse, what happened to another poster, someone, I think here on fodors, who commented about fraud being committed of $1400. on his/her card. So, for those who want to only use ATM cards, then fine and more power to you, but I will continue to tell my friends who ask about money issues in Paris or anywhere else, to take a combination of VARIOUS funds. Happy Travels!
Sep 27th, 2009, 12:51 PM
#24
Well - if you make it through that looooong post - we agree on on thing. If you MUST get TCs get them in US$.
But I simply don't see a reason to tie up hundreds of $ in instruments you don't plan on using. If your travel budget is enough that you can just carry around a lot of extra money (TCs tie up money after all) 'just in case' - then go for it.
Many people are just not in the position to have an extra few hundred dollars just sitting there unused.
But I simply don't see a reason to tie up hundreds of $ in instruments you don't plan on using. If your travel budget is enough that you can just carry around a lot of extra money (TCs tie up money after all) 'just in case' - then go for it.
Many people are just not in the position to have an extra few hundred dollars just sitting there unused.
Sep 27th, 2009, 12:52 PM
#25
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 13,812
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sooosally- That's the tripadvisor post that many of us, over there, have been on this entire weekend and are waiting to hear the outcome of. I really feel for the poor woman who is very low on funds and hope that her daughter can get some money to her or that her ATM card is working again. Happy Travels!
Sep 27th, 2009, 01:36 PM
#27
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,421
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The person on TripAdvisor who's mother allegedly had a BofA card that wouldn't work hasn't reported back for several days.
Based on "This operation is not authorized by your bank", it is almost certain that the bank in question was offline (probably for their overnight processing).
Some years ago, we ran into a couple from Boston who tried various ATM's around 9AM every day as they headed out without success. Since we're from the Boston area and use the very same bank, I suggested they try an hour or two later. Sure enough, when we ran into them again - success!
Based on "This operation is not authorized by your bank", it is almost certain that the bank in question was offline (probably for their overnight processing).
Some years ago, we ran into a couple from Boston who tried various ATM's around 9AM every day as they headed out without success. Since we're from the Boston area and use the very same bank, I suggested they try an hour or two later. Sure enough, when we ran into them again - success!
Sep 27th, 2009, 01:50 PM
#28
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,037
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just skimmed through this thread so I'm not sure if this has been mentioned already, but it's a good idea to call your bank before you leave and tell them you will be in France on whatever dates so they can make a note on your account. That way there's less chance of them freezing your account for suspicious activity. That goes for debit and credit cards.
Sep 27th, 2009, 02:05 PM
#29
This is all based on ONE post on TA where someone says 2nd hand that her mother's card wouldn't work?
There are several reasons that could happen. 1) She forgot to notify the bank. 2) It was at 3:00AM-ish stateside time when the bank's system is down. 3) The system (Cirrus/Star/etc) was be down temporarily. 4) She had already used the card during the Stateside business day and forgot about the 9 hour time difference. Or lots of other reasons.
djkbooks almost certainly got it right, the transaction was probably when the bank was off line. Happens every day. It is just that you are probably unaware of it since you're usually sleeping during system maintenance.
You can play "What if" all day long and still not cover all possibilities. Still no reason to carry TCs IMO. If you are a 'suspenders and belt' person, fine. But TCs really are a thing of the past.
There are several reasons that could happen. 1) She forgot to notify the bank. 2) It was at 3:00AM-ish stateside time when the bank's system is down. 3) The system (Cirrus/Star/etc) was be down temporarily. 4) She had already used the card during the Stateside business day and forgot about the 9 hour time difference. Or lots of other reasons.
djkbooks almost certainly got it right, the transaction was probably when the bank was off line. Happens every day. It is just that you are probably unaware of it since you're usually sleeping during system maintenance.
You can play "What if" all day long and still not cover all possibilities. Still no reason to carry TCs IMO. If you are a 'suspenders and belt' person, fine. But TCs really are a thing of the past.
Sep 27th, 2009, 04:51 PM
#30
Travelers checks can be used, but are a bad deal financially. You get a lousy exchange rate and the only places that cash them are exchange bureaus. Most businesses won't accept them and the ones that do charge big commissions. While there may be a few old-fashioned people still using them (although I hear they are going to quit being issued at all), it doesn't mean that it's the best or most convenient. You hear of a handful of people that have trouble with an ATM card (usually they didn't notify their bank they were traveling), but the millions that use them every day while traveling without any problems aren't going online to report their success using ATM's.
Sep 27th, 2009, 05:19 PM
#31
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,500
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kybourbon said :"but the millions that use them every day while traveling without any problems aren't going online to report their success using ATM's."
I would like to report two things:
One: We never had any trouble using plastic cards in ATM's in Italy.
Two: I'm ashamed to say that we had to cancel a few cards when my wife's purse was stolen in Rome. It was the classic "bag on floor by table" theft. It took us an hour on the phone to sort the cards, and we were grumpy for a day.
Once one used to be able to travel with a letter of credit. Those were the days, cabin trunks, P&O, air travel being romantic. But now, plastic money seems to be pretty good. A little cash is nce to have.
I would like to report two things:
One: We never had any trouble using plastic cards in ATM's in Italy.
Two: I'm ashamed to say that we had to cancel a few cards when my wife's purse was stolen in Rome. It was the classic "bag on floor by table" theft. It took us an hour on the phone to sort the cards, and we were grumpy for a day.
Once one used to be able to travel with a letter of credit. Those were the days, cabin trunks, P&O, air travel being romantic. But now, plastic money seems to be pretty good. A little cash is nce to have.
Sep 28th, 2009, 04:55 AM
#33
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Peter, why is it all the stories I hear of purses being stolen or pick pocketed happen in Rome? Including my own. Really. I know it can happen anywhere but I have yet to personally run across anyone who has had that happen anywhere except Rome.
Anyway, I am going to get some TC's from my bank. They don't charge me for them. They don't charge me for money orders either..I had to get one recently to pay a speeding ticket. I do understand they aren't the best way to get euros and I only plan to use them in an emergency situation. Which is the only time I've used them in the past. Assuming I don't use them I will simply redeposit them in my account when I return. Yes, that means I won't be earning any interest on those funds while I have them in TC form but with today's interest rates that means I'll miss a dollar or two, if that.
I have notified my bank and my credit card companies that I will be in France and the dates I will be there. I never had a problem using the ATM's the times I was there before. So that's good to know about the issues of the system's being down for maintenance.
Anyway, I am going to get some TC's from my bank. They don't charge me for them. They don't charge me for money orders either..I had to get one recently to pay a speeding ticket.
I do understand they aren't the best way to get euros and I only plan to use them in an emergency situation. Which is the only time I've used them in the past. Assuming I don't use them I will simply redeposit them in my account when I return. Yes, that means I won't be earning any interest on those funds while I have them in TC form but with today's interest rates that means I'll miss a dollar or two, if that. I have notified my bank and my credit card companies that I will be in France and the dates I will be there. I never had a problem using the ATM's the times I was there before. So that's good to know about the issues of the system's being down for maintenance.
Sep 28th, 2009, 07:29 AM
#34
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,421
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't worry about pickpockets since I don't carry anything where it would be accessible to them.
Traveler's checks (and I was one of the last holdouts!) are just another thing to worry about.
I travel with two credit cards, my ATM-only card, and my debit card. I carry the ATM and one credit card while out and about (and not in the same place). The other two stay in the hotel/apartment safe. So, in the unlikely event one of my cards is lost/stolen, I have "backup" in the safe.
You really don't need a lot of cash as you can use a credit card for most things.
Keep in mind, too, that many banks have added that pesky 3% currency conversion fee to ATM withdrawals.
Traveler's checks (and I was one of the last holdouts!) are just another thing to worry about.
I travel with two credit cards, my ATM-only card, and my debit card. I carry the ATM and one credit card while out and about (and not in the same place). The other two stay in the hotel/apartment safe. So, in the unlikely event one of my cards is lost/stolen, I have "backup" in the safe.
You really don't need a lot of cash as you can use a credit card for most things.
Keep in mind, too, that many banks have added that pesky 3% currency conversion fee to ATM withdrawals.
Sep 28th, 2009, 08:40 AM
#35
>>>Two: I'm ashamed to say that we had to cancel a few cards when my wife's purse was stolen in Rome. <<<
Whether it's cards or TC's that get stolen, you would still have to call and cancel/replace.
Whether it's cards or TC's that get stolen, you would still have to call and cancel/replace.
Sep 28th, 2009, 10:27 AM
#36
Yes, I can vouch for TCs in Mexico (at least in resort ares) as still being a perfectly viable option (and yes I know this is the Europe forum so didn't mention it until someone else did). Except for needing to show your ID they are taken at the cambios same as foreign cash, not at a worse rate and no extra fees.
Oct 1st, 2009, 05:39 AM
#37
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 13,812
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For those following the "Cash Emergency:ATM card being rejected" thread on tripadvisor.com, the daughter of the woman who's been in Paris with a non-functioning ATM card has recently posted that she has sent her mom money through MoneyGram as the rate was excellent. So, her mom now has money since the ATM card still isn't working. It's good she had someone who could send her money. Happy Travels!
Oct 1st, 2009, 06:04 AM
#38
I just took a look at that thread. It's not clear whether they notified B of A in advance about using the card in France. The OP never really responded to anyones questions about the card. It does seem that there are complaints about B of A in general and it's possible it's just a B of A problem. Still, one person not getting their card to work (which still could be user error not the bank) versus thousands of other tourists in Paris at the same time using the ATM's. ATM's are still the best way to get money.
