Travellers Cheques in the US

jd79

Does anyone know of problems when using travellers cheques in the States?

jenniferpa

I assume we're talking about $TC? Most merchants won't have a problem with them - if they accept regular cheques they can probably cope with TC's (although in some places they may never have seen them before!) The only potential difficulty is getting a bank to cash them without charging a fee. I would strongly advise AMEX cheques - they have a wider network of outlets which will cash them without a fee. Just make sure you have ID (although, again, you'll probably have to explain in some places that no, you don't have a US driver's license). I'm afraid the the US can be very parochial, even quite large towns.

Jennifer

phill79

It was my experience that everywhere accepted them, except taxi drivers. All I needed was to show my ID (UK drivers licence), they then accepted it and gave me cash in change. It is the same in most of the cities too.

where2save

I didn't realise people still used travellers cheques much these days.

I remember a few years ago travelling in a group with one person who had travellers cheques and they were a bit of a bind to get exchanged or cash.

I think the most efficient way to spend money in the US is to use credit card for most purchases (hotels, meals etc) and then draw some money from an ATM to cover smaller purchases like drinks, taxis and so on.

Bob63

More trouble than they are worth. I haven't used them in more than 15 years and over 40 US trips. Take a small amount of currency with you and then draw out what you need from the cash machines or use plastic.

Mike

wolfehouse

My american relatives use US dollar tavellers cheques regularly in their supermarkets etc. instead of carrying cash.

I had trouble at a DIY store once because they said my american express dollar cheques were from a foreign bank. I asked them to call american express and they reluctantly agreed to let me use them after the call- so some places that arent used to foreigners do make their own fun.
I am always stuck bringing them home and losing out changing money back to pounds.

I think it would be better to have a credit card that has a good exchange deal. Previous posts have suggested nationwide but i have no personal experience of this account.

sulliebear

I took a small amount of currency, Thomas Cook $TC and my Nationwide Visa Card. Most places accepted the TC's aslong as you were in "tourist places", however when we were in less tourist places, we did on occassion struggle to get them cashed.

My advice is a lot of places are not sure on what to do with them and on occassion we asked if they would accept them, they would say yes, we would sign our part and then hand if over and then they would say, sorry we don't accept those. We learnt from experience not to sign until they had looked at them and then asked us to sign.

A lot of people "think" they accept them until they see them.

However, if you are staying in decent accommodation then most hotels will cash a certain limit each day.

My advice would seriously look into getting a Nationwide Card, they do not charge commission on the transactions and their exchange rate is done daily so often higher than what you can secure on TC's.

If you need any more advice don't hesitate to PM me.

hammy_the_hammer

if you go to major stores ( wal mart etc ) you won't have a problem. it would be easier to go down the nationwide route with the credit card and flex account but if you can't tc's are ok imo. i've never had a store get funny with me when i've purchased something of small value and received the change in dollars.

wywso0

We used them last year in New York with no problems and did buy smallish value items and use them to get cash. We did make sure to not take large denomination travellers' cheques (USD 50 was the largest).

Bill

mr_fishbulb

jd79 wrote:

Does anyone know of problems when using travellers cheques in the States?

They don't know how to spell cheque.

jd79

jd79 wrote:

Does anyone know of problems when using travellers cheques in the States?

Thanks for all the advice. I would have used Nationwide but spotted the post too late to apply and I object to paying 2.73%.