[pct-l] Travelers cheques/checks

[Craig Stanton]

Wow, that got a lot of advice just during my drive to work. Thanks to all those who emailed me off list too.

Something to explain. Since I don't have an American bank account I don't think my debit-card is any use over there. In NZ we have a system called Eftpos (Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale) and that isn't going to work in the American ATMs. It is unfortunately standard for the banks here to charge a fee for foreign-exchange, even though it is all electronic and they don't have to handle different sorts of cash :-(

And something to ask. I would never have thought of useing travelers cheques at a regular shop. When I have used them in Europe you need to find an official place, a bank or Bureau De Change, that takes the cheques, takes your passport, makes sure you are the person in the picture and the cheques have your passport number in them and then gives you cash. Regular stores can't do this because how whould they then turn your cheque into their bank account?

And really, they refuse to take $50s? Isn't it legal tender so they have to take it? I sure am glad I asked this question. Sure I'd have some small change but I figured bigger notes meant less paper. Do the ATMs give out large bills so I'll have to find some kind local business to change the notes when ever I get cash out?

~Craig


On Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at 07:50AM, "Jeff Moorehead" <jeffmoorehead1 at cox.net> wrote:
>
>Craig,
> I also thought it would be a good idea to carry travelers checks instead of 
>cash. This had worked well in the past, but unfortunately modern society has 
>replaced them with the check/ATM card. Most places would eventually take the 
>traveller's checks and  regard them with a "same as cash" status, but it 
>always took the approval of the manager because most people didn't know what 
>a traveler's check was. However, I learned from a few of the more savvy 
>establishments that check fraud is an issue here, what with these 
>'new-fangled' scanners and printers. Think about it, when was the last time 
>you saw Carl Muldon saying "don't leave home without them"? I fear they may 
>have gone the way of the saber tooth cat...
>Whiptail 
>
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