travellers cheques in sterling non american

[alby1609]

what traveller cheques are available on the open market that are non american.

[dzug]

I was going to say Thomas Cook - but looking on their website they now seem to do only American Express.

Travelex do Visa TCs in the UK - whether they count as American I don't know. If they do I think you are out of luck.

[mrfudge]

In my experience, why get travellers cheques? You pay commission when you buy them; and commission when you exchange them. I simply take my plastic everywhere. It is an insured moneytary tool. Debit card and credit card cover everything. I personally draw out cash with my debit card and use the cash, making sure what the bank charge is before doing so. When you have clocked up the credit card (intentionally) transfer the debt to another card and get an interest free loan!

[spudqueen]

The advantage of travellers cheques is that if they are lost or stolen you can get an almost immediate replacement. If you rely on debit/credit cards if they are lost you may end up without money!
A quick look at NatWests website shows that they do travellers cheques in eight different currencies. Doesn't say which ones, but you could contact your local branch.
http://www.natwest.com/personal02a.asp?id=PERS ONAL/DAY_TO_DAY/TRAVEL_SERVICES/TRAVELLERS_CHE QUES

[Slingshot]

American Express acts as a sort of clearing bank for traveller cheques. You can obtain TC in Swiss Francs from a Swiss bank and this is a strong currency. The only trouble I have ever had is with C.Cards. I use a mix of $TC, Credit Cards and cash. Cash is the cheapest option and the one that I use most frequently. The difference is that I can obtain a much better unofficial rate from local people who want Sterling more than any other currency. This applies everywhere!

[dzug]

Cash is the cheapest option and the one that I use most frequently. The difference is that I can obtain a much better unofficial rate from local people who want Sterling more than any other currency.

Cash is NOT the cheapest option - unless as you say you get an unofficial rate from local people. Unlikely in the USA and most of Europe - possible in the third world.

It's the option that often has no visible charges but through formal channels has the worst exchange rate.

[MAD BUTCHER]

The question is headed "Travellers cheques in sterling non-american" and I foolishly thought that was what the poster was asking.

So why rabbit on about credit cards etc.?

I do not know the answer off-hand but I do assume that he may be visiting a country that has a ban on American Financial Institutions so wishes to take Sterling. I do seem to remember questions on here by people who had been caught out when visiting such countries and think maybe Cuba had restrictions.

[EverClean]

Cuba is OK with dollars but not with Amex. (They don't like US companies.) I think when we went it was Halifax branded travellers cheques but I don't know if they still do them.