Hi, trip┤s payed and 26 days to go. Now my problem is wich
travelers cheques to choose! I┤ve narrowed it down to Visa
or American Express. I have a Visa card. I┤ve been to the
bank┤s counselling but the bitch couldn┤t give me a
straight answer to the costs involved when cashing them and
soforth. I think I┤ve read somewhere that American Express
is more widely spread than Visa in CA, is that true. Does
American Express cost less than Visa. I┤d love to hear your
experience┤s. Thanks.
Mike
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although you shouldn't have any problem with Visa, i would go with Amex because they are universal. I would also shop around for them as banks will often charge 1-3 percent while other places such as AAA issue them for free for memers.
I would go with Amex. I had problems with Visa in
Guat...total pain and a bit in southern Mexico. If you are
eligible to join a credit union they usually give them for
free. Amex checks make you a client of American Express and
you can then have your mail sent to their offices...its
possible to get a booklet from them with the addresses of all
their offices. Used them as my mail drop on a 2 yr. trip
through Mexico, Central and South America and never missed a
letter.
So anyone who cannot comply to all of your demands is a bitch? I do not know anyone who could possibly answer the amount charged by each little hotel et cetera for cashing checks. I guess you have a lot of compassion and joy to share on your travels...
Paula, you misunderstand me, maybe I expressed myself
strange. The thing is that even though I kept asking the
same question three or four times the counsellor managed to
change the subject. One of the questions was the procedure
when losing my Visa-card (replacementcard) another new
checks when stolen or lost. So after a bit over an hour of
"councelling" (not adding the fortyfive minuites in line) I
really didn┤t know any more then I did prior.
That is why I now put my faith to fellow travellers, like
youself. So thank you for your contribution...
Mike
American Express is universal but so's Visa. The rate of
exchange will not depend on them but on the establishment
changing them. In Mexico we've had bad expreiences with
American express and good experiences with Visa. In other
CA countries a bit better but either way you're about the
same. You should always expect the middleman to take around
a 3 percent piece of the action. If they charge more either
complain or go somewhere else.
Hey, paula..., do you know the situation the was in ? No
you do not, so maybe she WAS a bitch ?! Maybe YOU have a
problem ? There are actually some bitches out there.., as
well as men being assholes.
Hey folks, stop right there. This is a great place for
info. Let's no trash each other and honor the thorn tree
for the opportunity it gives us to exchange info.
If you want to trash someone, do somewhere else.
I thank you for your comments, but they are irrelevant to
the topic/question asked.
If anyone has comments about me or any of my info, I would
appreciate an e-mail, as personal comments are not for
public viewing.
-Nancy
ecovision@inter.net.gt
Well put Nancy, I totally agree with you...
Nevertheless I want to thank Butch.
Mike
I have travelled countless times in CA and have found
travellers cheques to be nothing but a headache. Too few
places take them....bring only a few for an emergency and
bring your credit card. Put money on your card before you
leave and take it out as needed.
Your bank should give you traveler checks for free. Take
both Visa and Mastercard. You can put a credit amount in
your account or use a debit card from your checking account.