US $ travellers cheques

redneckedstint

Hi
We last went to the States over 20 years ago and I have left over from that trip a good handful of American Express US dollar travellers cheques, mixed denominations. I can't think why I didn't redeem them at the time but the exchange rate worsened and I just forgot about them. Now we are planning to go again next year. I assume the cheques are still valid. My question is What is the best way to redeem them? Advice now is to forget about travellers cheques and take cards etc but these I need to cash. Should I just go to a bank on arrival and cash the lot? Which bank? moneychanger? Would it be better to cash them here before we go?

martindow

Looks like they don't expire

http://www.americanexpress.com/uk/tc/faqs.shtml#6

Can't help you with how accepted in the US they are now.

dzug1

If you cash them here before you go I'm pretty certain that (in most BdeC and banks anyway) they will be converted to sterling and back to $$, thus incurring two lots of exchange fees - so avoid doing this if at all possible

You could call American Express for advice - 0800 587 6023

inmypocketnottheirs

Just change them at the first bank you find in the US.

photome

If they have no expiry date sopend them as you would cash, just remember to have photo ID with you when you do

Jaycee_Dove

I have $120 worth of these American Express and issued by Abbey just before the buy out by Santander.


Kept them as I used to visit the US regularly but no longer can as I am a carer these days.


I took these into Santander to pay into my old Abbey account that they still manage. At first they said they would cost £10 each to cash and so the $20 one might even cost ME money! Then I was told that under orders from head officer they no longer recognised or accepted them.


I pointed out they were still legal and in date and they sold them (when they were still Abbey). But they said they would not help.


Anyone got any ideas who might if the bank that issued them do not want to know?

John259

OP: I just did a bit of Googling which suggests that retailers in the USA will still accept US dollar travellers cheques as cash, so as you're visiting again soon that seems the best option. It helps if they're from a well known company such as American Express. For high values you might need to show your passport. Obviously before counter-signing, make sure the retailer will accept the TC and has enough cash in the till to give you change. A bank in the USA might make a charge for converting the cheques into cash. A bank in Britain would probably charge a commission and might give you a lousy exchange rate into UK pounds.