American Express traveler's checks in Euros
Jeff Gersten
Seas. I found out earlier today that I can get American Express
Traveller's checks in Euros at my local bank. Would it make sense to do
this as opposed to get the same traveler's checks checks in dollars?
I would have to let them know (and pay for them) at least 3-5 days in
advance because they have to order them. There is no extra charge for
getting the checks as Euros instead of dollars.
Ed Wynn
This may sound a little off the wall, but I think I would forget the AE
Traveler's Checks and use my ATM card. We recently spent over threee weeks
in five countries in Central Europe and the Traveler's Checks were a pain in
the A.. In Munich had to go to three different banks to get one cashed.
Now on the ship they will probably cash them for you at the Purser's Office,
at what rate, who knows??
At an ATM you will get the current exchange rate, no hassles and just the
amount of Euros you want or need. Very easy to use and they work like a
charm. Used them in Germany, Hungary and Czeh Republic without a hitch.
You might want a Check or two just in case you lose your card and I would do
it in US currency so you can cash them upon your return.
BTW, you will love Euros!! What an improvement.
Ed in Las Vegas
"Jeff Gersten" <JeffG...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:27941-3D...@storefull-2392.public.lawson.webtv.net...
Peter
places give you a worse exchange rate than then do for cash. If you buy
Euro checks, you need to make sure that you are getting a decent exchange
rate up front from amex, and you are taking a currency risk (you could gain
as well).
Plan to use you atm card to get cash for small purchases. Also, try to get
a credit card that does not charge a premium for foreign currency conversion
(you will have to read the fine print or call the company) and use it for as
many purchases as possible. The ship may even take it for tips.
Using a credit card will give you a much better exchange rate than your
would get for cash or travelers checks.
Peter
j coulter
3...@storefull-2392.public.lawson.webtv.net:
can the checks. In the worst case when you card won't work the machines,
which are ubiquitous, you can still get money from the bank on your card .
Paul Tauger
dollar checks . . . however:
Why take traveler's checks at all? The best exchange rates are from using
ATMs or charging on your credit card. Mastercard and Visa are almost
universally accepted, and I've never had trouble using my American Express
card in Europe. I could see keeping some travelers checks around for an
emergency, but you're much better off buying some local currency from your
bank before you depart and then topping it off with ATM withdrawals as
necessary.
"Jeff Gersten" <JeffG...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:27941-3D...@storefull-2392.public.lawson.webtv.net...
Cathy Friedmann
traveling abroad. It is *much* easier to just pay for most things (say $20
& above) via a cc, & getting cash for smaller expenditures from ATMs. Plus,
when I got my statement w/ the ATM transactions (in the UK & France) listed,
there were no fees attached, just the going rate of the exchange. Beats
standing in line to cash Tr's Checks, IMO.
Cathy
--
"Staccato signals of constant information..."
("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon
"Paul Tauger" <ptauger...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
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TAC
American Express card can cash personal checks at AmEx offices. It would be
inconvenient, but good to know in an emergency.
Mike Cordelli
to bring some checks, I would bring them in dollars, cash them onboard, and
if necessary exchange them for Euros in port. I think that after all that
you are ending up with a better exchange rate then you would get in getting
them from Amex.
ATM's are everywhere, and all give an excellent exchange rate, assuming your
bank doesn't have a huge fee for foreign transactions.
"Jeff Gersten" <JeffG...@webtv.net> wrote in message
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