Dori

I was recently in Italy by myself for two weeks and also thought about taking TC's as a backup. (I've had my ATM card strip deactivate too many times). What I did instead was along with my regular credit card, I applied and got an American Express card as my backup so I could get cash advances at an American Express office if I absolutely had to. Also, I went to my bank and they gave me a second ATM card. They said it was againt their policy since I was the only one on the account, but they gave it to me anyway. Obviously, I kept the second ATM card and American Express card separate from my other cards. It gave me great peace of mind and fortunately, I had no problems.

Ann

I never take travelers' checks to Europe as many places don't accept them. Yes, you can exchange them for cash at a bank for free (unless they're not in the local currency), but means you have to abide by bank hours. Also, I've heard horror stories about people who have had their TCs stolen, and the issuing company (heard this about both Amex and Thomas Cook) would not replace the checks because they determined the holder did not take &quot;due care&quot; of their checks. Unbelievable, I know.<BR><BR>

xxx

Sorry, but you'll make out SO much easier with just a credit card - why bother with finding a place to/having to cash the checks, then worry about all the cash you're carrying around? With a credit card here in Europe, you can pay virtually everything - except of course the at the small mom-and-pop stores or kiosks, although they may be starting. To be honest, Europe is SO far advanced in using ATM's, instant debit cards, bank cards at stores, etc. vs. the U.S., it's almost insane...<BR><BR>And forget American Express cards - bring a Mastercard or VISA card instead.

StCirq

Greg: I perhaps mistakenly assumed Lori was planning to take traveler's checks in dollars, not euros. You are probably right that most banks will not charge for euro TCs -I have no experience with that - but I can assure you they will charge for dollar TCs. My own bank in the P&eacute;rigord charges an arm and a leg to cash them in dollars.

amy

And hey, while we're on the subject of how much Europe is advanced on all the places you can use credit cards, ATMs, we were astounded by the payment kiosks on the Normandy Autoroute. Pull up to the turnstile, stick in a credit card, go through the gate. None of that coin nonsense.<BR><BR>Do we have this anywhere in the US? (I know we have EZPass systems, etc., but this was awesome).

Bob

I still have $200 in American Express Travelers Checks that have the 1991 anniversary seal on them. They have been all over the world and Europe many times in the last 11 years. Still have not used them. One of these days I need to get my money back from American Express! Enough of this float!<BR><BR>Use ATM or credit card. Only way to fly these days.

Marilyn

I think it depends on where you are as to whether American Express travelers checks or ATM are the best options. I like having both. In Madrid, for instance, you can get the best of exchange rates with the TCs at Amex, so there it is a good option. We've also used them in Sorrento, Italy, and cashed them in their post office and got a very good rate. We've had the same luck with the ATM, or also had the reverse when it refused our card for one reason or another. So I think doing your Fodors guide reading on what is the best for the location helps. M.

xxxxxx

I went to London this spring and took traveler's checks. The hotel was already paid for and I wanted to use cash wherever I went. Everyone takes cash. It was also easier (for me) to keep track of how much I was spending in U.S. dollars and therefore it was easier to stick with my budget. I did have a credit card for emergencies. I was able to cash them every couple of days at the Thomas Cooke in the tube station that we used near our hotel --perfectly convenient. I know all about fees and exchange rates but when you consider the little bit of money I spent, it really didn't add up to much. I say use what ever form of money that is more comfortable for you.

Lori

Thanks to everyone who has responded to my question. The reason I was asking is this- the hotels I have chosen to stay at offer a better rate if I pay in cash(one hotel is 30 euros cheaper per night!). Obviously I wish to take advantage of that. The money I save there, I can spend elsewhere! I think I will ask the credit union to up my withdrawal amount. Does anyone know if you can prepay a hotel stay, maybe by sending a check a month or so in advance?

XYZ

Wow 30 Euro a night cheaper for cash! I guess the hotel must cost at least 300 Euro a night so they would be giving you a 10% deduction. I've heard of a 2 or 3% discount for cash but this.......not to say you are not telling the truth mind you but it would seem if there is a 30 Euro deduction a night for a room, this must be some first class hotel not part of a chain trying to make money on cash discounts.<BR><BR>Just doesn't sound right to me....

Susan

Lori, Check with the specific hotels. I have sent a money order via Fed Ex or the like for a deposit before. Since the hotel asks for cash, THEY might be willing to accept travelers checks as such (cash) and save you the trip to the bank.<BR><BR>My last trip I needed to pay the 1st 5 nights hotel in Amsterdam in cash, so simply carried $500US, changed it into Euro at the airport, paid the hotel, and had pocket money for the first several days of my trip (the hotel was only 57euro per night).<BR><BR>When people say &quot;no travelers checks&quot; I think they often mean like to try and use them in restaurants and shops like you used to be able to. This just isn't done most places anymore.

Linda

Living here in Germany but having our credit union back in Seattle I've had lots of experience with ATM's here. A while back I did learn something very interesting about the way the daily limit works; at least with our card. Apparently the daily limit resets at midnight of a given day, but in the timezone of your bank and not the ATM. For example, since my bank is in Seattle and they are nine hours behind us, the daily limit resets at nine in the morning here in Germany. When, I need to get a large amount of money, I go to the machine at a few minutes before nine, wait five or ten minutes and then go take out my limit again. That way I can get 1000 euros with only one trip to the bank. This has made things much easier for me more than once. I don't know if all banks do it this way, but it might be worth trying.

Joyce

I keep reading posts where people define this as a choice between taking either travelers checks, or credit cards, or ATM cards. <BR><BR>This is not an EITHER-OR situation. It is helpful to bring all these items. They serve different purposes.<BR><BR>Credit cards are very useful for major purchases, e.g. paying hotel bills. ATM cards are useful for getting cash for day-to-day expenses.<BR><BR>Travelers Checks are very useful as backups, in case your credit cards or ATM cards get lost or stolen. Travelers Checks are also useful if your bank charges huge fees. For example, Fleet Bank and Sovereign bank each charge $5 each time their ATM card is used outside the USA. This $5 per-use charge is IN ADDITION to conversion fees.<BR><BR>Travelers checks can be cashed in all Money Exchange places in Europe, many of which are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Yes, there is a small fee, but you also pay a fee for any other type of money exchange. <BR><BR>Always buy travelers checks in USA currency. This way you can bring unused checks with you on your next trip, or just cash them in when you return to the USA. If you are a AAA member, travelers checks are free, and the exchange back to USA dollars is also free.

Nikki

Amy, I think the reason we don't have toll booth credit card kiosks in the US is that our tolls are soooo much lower than tolls in Europe. It's not a matter of coins there, it's a matter of tens and twenties.