travellers cheques or money?

[Tangominx]

should i take travellers cheques or money to america?

[lafrancaise]

Best bet is a credit card as it's safer. Traveller's cheques are a nuisance as more often than not you have to change them at a bank to spend them unless you're in the big cities and stores. Cash is too risky, there's no way of claiming that back.

Happy holiday!

[paddy_36]

Agree with lafrancaise - credit card is your best bet. Travellers cheques are just a hassle, but take some cash as most banks (I think) will charge for making a cash withdrawal abroad.

[kaz20]

if you have a nationwide account you could just draw cash as normal because nationwide do not charge a fee. 2 or 3 of the main banks (cant remember which, but is easy to find out) also dont charge a fee. So it just gets changed at that days exchange rate. thats what i did when i last went - was really easy and safe!

[Bob A Job]

Ill third the Credit card thing, they give you a much better exchange rate and are accepted everywhere in the US, some debit cards arnt, if you worried about the 'instant replacment' you get with travellers cheques, check the small print with your credit card. most of the time it amounts to the same cover.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!TOP TIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cut a piece of paper credit card sized and write all emergency contact details and lost/stolen phone numbers for cards (including travel insurance) and slip copies into all wallets, purses, and passports. hopefully you will never need them, but if you do you will be glad you did!

[fourteen85]

I have travelled a lot on holiday in the states and never had a travellers cheque refused. I have used them in stores, petrol stations and diners and never had a problem and of course when you use them you don't pay a commision as you will with Credit Cards, ( although you will pay a commision when you buy them), But I always take a CC as back up

[campbellking]

Usually take a mixture. Take some dollar traveller's cheques, but ask for ones that are less than $50 singles, as the smaller stores won't always take a $50 note.

[mkt]

further to an earlier answer you CAN claim cash back if its lost or stolen. Most insurance policies cover up to at least �500 but obviously you wont be able to claim it back until you come home so yes it would be a pain. If you do take currency make sure you keep the receipt given to you at the time of exchange so you can prove you bought it incase of any such claim.

[chazza]

I usually take a mixture, i agree with fourteen that in USA almost any shop or restaurant will accept travellers cheques like money, as long as you can show your passport (although on occasions we were not even asked for it!)

I would also advise bringing your credit card and cash card, my cash card worked in the holes in the wall over there but with a �1.75 charge

[moodyblue]

I came out to USA 5 months ago and before we left UK we bought American Express Travellers Cheque cards. The travel agents were giving a great deal on them. See if the deal is still going. If not you are better to use a credit card - everywhere here takes them - even the dollar shops (like our pound shops)