Scott, perhaps you'd like to re-read my posting again? <BR>

Yah, ok...oops...I read it incorrectly or misinterpreted it...either way, I have to go finish my other foot now...

I just returned from a trip to Sicily and want to share my experience with you on TC's. I tried to pay by TC at a pharmacy and the employees were puzzled by it. At the pharmacist' request we started for a bank nearby but on the way he encountered two men who he discussed the check with. After turning it over several times one of the men concluded it was legal tender and the transaction was completed. Attempting to avoid a similar situation I went to a bank and attempted to cash several and was advised they did not accept TCs. I used my debit card at an atm and had no prblem. Also just about all restaurants and stores accepted VISA. You may want to carry a modest amount of TCs but may encounter problems in smaller cities.

Frank, your example is a good one.<BR><BR>First, if those were dollar TCs I wouldn't have expected the pharmacist to cash them, and if he did, I would have expected him to give a lousy rate. The best place to cash TCs is in a bank or in an office of the issuer (e.g. American Express).<BR><BR>Even then, in small towns or remote regions there may be some difficulty on occasion. Not so long ago I was in a small town in Germany in a not so remote region. In fact a town with a few Americans (GIs) living in it.<BR><BR>I went to the bank to cash some dollar-denominated TCs. The teller had no problem knowing what to do with the TCs and calculating a proper exchange rate. But she'd never ... ever ... seen an American passport before. Despite speaking English pretty well, she finally had to get help from the bank manager to pick out the info she required to record my id for her records.<BR><BR>I even have occasional problems cashing US dollar denominated Amex TCs in US stores that accept Amex credit cards. Failure to cash the TC for free could cause them to lose their right to accept Amex credit cards ... but that doesn't keep stupid clerks from trying to charge for cashing a a check.<BR><BR>All those problems accepted, carrying TCs as an emergency supply is more convenient and safer than carrying the next best alternative which is gold ingots. Try hiding those in your moneybelt!