Amex TravelFunds Card
 

I like the idea. Anybody use one? My wife and mother/sister-in law are going to Vegas. Yesterday they were talking about how much cash they were going to take for the casinos. I kinda cringed on that one. As you use them like a atm they could take out what they needed at the time for gambling at the different casinos. Being that its not tied to bank account and could be replaced in 24 hours I'm thinking what a great idea. Plus if they DID lose it would cut down their time at the casino.

Oh my gosh quick, I meant mother-in-law AND sister-in-law.

I've never used one but I sell them where I work, and supposedly they're convenient in that you could also add money to it should they run out of gambling money ;)

Is there a fee for using it at an ATM? I guess I don't see the point of paying for a card like this. Yes, your ATM card is connected to your checking account, but if it's lost the person would still need a PIN to access your money (unless it's a Visa checkcard, but you should be able to get a non-checkcard from your bank for free). And they can also be replaced typically within 24 hours.

I'm not sure what you mean by "If they DID lose it would cut down their time at the casino." Do you mean then you'd be limiting their "spending money" by only putting a certain amount on the card? I don't know about anyone else, but that would not fly with me if my husband wanted to do that. ;) And certainly my husband would not try to limit the spending money of my mother or sister. :-o

You need a PIN to access your money with the TravelFunds card too. You can also use it at any merchant that accepts AMEX. It is also replacable if you were to lose it. I'm not sure about fees for atm withdrawals, but I'm sure you only pay the ATM's fee. It's pretty much the same as using travelers cheques, but it's in the form of a card instead of a check

The detriments are that they are holding your money in advance (vs your drawing interest on it - however small) and there is a significant charge to set up the card to begin with.

Why not just use an ATM?

From their website: "There is a $14.95 issuance fee per Card" and in addition "The Card will be charged a $2.50 fee for each ATM use. Additional bank fees may apply."

So they are charging you $15.00 to deposit your money, plus $2.50 to access your money every time you need some, and that doesn't even include the bank fees???!!!

Use your ATM card...it's cheaper. Their way is a rip-off. :(

((S))((*))

Well that about settles it. Looks like the Visa check card will work best. I hate the idea of carrying cash. Thanks to all for the input. Btw my last statement was sour grapes about not being able to go with them! I am thinking without me as their lucky charm they gonna lose. They need me. Get over it, huh?

Smokyboy - I was never under it. It was a question. Sour grapes don't come across well in print, so your meaning was completely unclear, and I was looking for clarification. No, you didn't have to clarify, but it was a simple question that you could choose to answer or not. Instead, you chose to be a snot. Too bad for you. I'm having a good day here! :)

The get over it part was in reference to myself. Glad your having a good day.

Smokyboy - I'm so sorry! :-[

I should take my own advice in the future and assume that what someone writes is written in the best way it could be interpreted, rather than the worst.

Please, accept my apologies and have a drink on my. You're choice: ((b)) ((d)) ((c))

Apology sincerly accepted. Good advice btw.

I was reading back over both of my posts and I can clearly see where they could be misconstrued. I need to preview in the future! My wife and I recently got an e-mail from one of our sons teacher and we BOTH took it wrong. It takes a lot of class to do what you did. Thank you. Btw I am having a Crown and ginger. Here's tae ye!