Do you bother with travellers checks anymore?

HardDrive · 07-25-2006, 05:05 PM

Headed for Australia on Friday. Any point in getting travellers checks? I was in India 3 years ago, and there was an ATM on every corner, so I'm thinking no.....maybe just an a little emergency fund?

Dave L · 07-25-2006, 05:15 PM

I carry a few $'s in local currency for taxi's tips etc otherwise its debit or credit card. i dont think I have ever had travellers cheques

jyl · jyl's Garage

No need for travelers' checks, IMO. I go with a couple hundred $ US for emergencies, the equivalent in local currency (changed at airport before departure) for immediate needs upon arrival like taxi, then I use local ATMs. I do stick to ATMs from large bank, avoiding little anonymous machines. And I have a second ATM card stashed away with the copy of my passport and the US bills.

jluetjen · jluetjen's Garage

Airport currency exchange kiosks are rip-offs. You get the best rate by going to a local ATM and withdrawing funds (assuming that they are on the Cirrus network or whatever network you bank subscribes to). But do watch out for hidden cameras or scanners. They're a lot more common overseas (especially Asia) then they are in the US.

jyl · jyl's Garage

Yes they are (ripoffs) but to get $200 USD changed the ripoff isn't much and then you have some local cash right when you arrive in case you desperately need a cab or a beer right away

Victor · 07-25-2006, 06:39 PM

As others have suggested, arrive with beer/taxi/hot-bath-and-a-ho money only and withdraw cash from an ATM. There are four on every street corner over here....

Brian 162 · 07-25-2006, 06:46 PM

I was in Florida recently and brought cash and credit cards. My bank cards also worked with $4.50 service charge.

Brian

Dantilla · 07-26-2006, 02:39 AM

I never have used traveler's checks.

Enough cash for small stuff, and the credit card for any larger purchases.

dimps8 · dimps8's Garage

Back packed through SE asia a year ago for 7 months. no need for T/C's. ATM everywhere. Except in the Loas jungle getting killed by bus drivers!

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

No one even accepts traveler's checks, anymore. Utterly useless.

artplumber · 07-27-2006, 06:44 AM

Used them exclusively in China last year. I think we got rates at or better than one would from an ATM for exchange. I worry too much about someone getting my PIN and account info to use an ATM in most of these places.

alf · 07-28-2006, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by artplumber
Used them exclusively in China last year. I think we got rates at or better than one would from an ATM for exchange. I worry too much about someone getting my PIN and account info to use an ATM in most of these places.

The RMB is pegged to the $ so very little rate variance.

Foreign ATM fees were recently jacked up by my bank. $20 per transaction. Check with your bank before getting duped. I did and my bank's manager said it was a fee that VISA added to the debit card.

alf

PorschePilot · 07-28-2006, 10:46 AM

Definitely got by with using the ATM. You have to be very careful though, the pick pockets target ATM users.

I was on a business trip in Rome and a colleague of mine used the ATM and he had walk away about a half of a block, when all these kids surrounded him trying to sell him candy. As soon as he got rid of them he noticed his wallet was missing. The local cop told him that they target tourist as that have just used the ATM.