Travellers cheques in America

[Raffe]

We are going to America in September and need to know the best way to take our money ie: travellers cheques, credit cards, cash. Also if you use travellers cheques, do you get charged a commission every time you use them? Your help would be appreciated

[mushroom25]

credit cards definitely. also, only change about �40 at the post office to tide you over (coffees, beers, etc), then use your debit card & get more dollars from an ATM when you need them.

[Rock'n'Roll]

American dollar travellers cheques can be used as currency in nearly all stores/restaurants

[gazzawazza]

We took travellers' cheques. They were dead easy to use, everywhere just accepts them like money, you don't even need your passport to cash them.

[Raffe]

Thanks for your quick replies. Do you know if you get charged commission every time you pay by travellers cheques.

[Raffe]

Mushroom25, Rock ,n, Roll and gazzawazza:
As this is the first time I have used this site, I am unsure if you received my thanks for your quick replies. If I have done it wrong, please let me know. Thanks

[Metz]

we took travellers cheques and some cash , we went to the nearest garage and got some change for the tolls :o)

[Machecoul]

We only use credit cards and cash. Had no problems. Do make sure you have some small denominations. Post Office seemed to delight in giving us $50 bills which are a swine to change / and difficult to use for tips / taxis / buses etc. Do ask them for the smaller bills. You will get some.

Everyone got your thanks and your stars so you did right.

Welcome to Answerbank

[dzug]

It depends what you find convenient and what you are prepared to pay for convenience.

Using a debit card in an ATM to get cash and using your credit card for larger purchases will cost you least in charges and exchange commission, and is mostly convenient.

Travellers cheques (even 'commission-free') will cost a little more, but providing they are in US dollars will cost you nothing to spend or encash there. But any you have left over you'll get charged for again when you cash them in at home. They can be replaced if lost/stolen.

If you don't want the bother of finding an ATM at the airport as soon as you arrive, take a bit of US cash with you.
Don't take sterling, cash or travellers cheques, except to use when you get home - they will be next to useless

[spudqueen]

Where are you going in America? I was in Florida last year and travellers cheques are accepted EVERYWHERE, and they give you change if you pay a (for example) $35 bill with a $50 travellers cheque they will give you $15 cash. However when I was in New York even though I did use Travellers cheques they weren't accepted in as many places as in Florida.

[spudqueen]

Sorry forgot to mention, no commission at all.

[lady_p_gold]

I go to America all the time and I never take a penny, just use the ATM machines or put stuff on my debit card.

[Raffe]

Hi again. Thanks to everyone who replied to my question. I will pass on all your comments to the family so we can make a decision on how to take our money to Florida. Thanks again