U.S Travellers Cheques

[Little Willy]

We are going to Orlando for the first time in september
and need advice of people who have been, is it true that travellers cheques can be spent anywhere like cash if so do we need to carry I.D. all the time to spend them. Or shall we just take cash to save any hassle.. All advice is greatly appreciated

[eillek]

whenever we go we take a mixture of cash and travellers cheques but travellers cheques are accepted almost everywhere although only a few shops require id its still best to carry some id with you

[campbellking]

Travellers cheques are accepted everywhere, although some of the smaller stores don't always like changing the larger denomination notes. If you're buying any alcohol when shopping you will almost certainly be asked for I.D.

[buildersmate]

Its still cheaper to use your credit card and pay the whole lot off on your return, and use your debit card to get USD for smaller purchases from an ATM machine.

[lady_p_gold]

I never take a penny with me I just get cash from the ATM just like at home, or put things on my debit card.

[kazza12345]

there is a compromise - american express do this card thing that you charge up with money before you go, and then use it like a debit card over there - like having travellers cheques but only 1 thing

[GK Fanatic]

The ATM option is definately the best. You just draw out as if you were at home. The small charges are SOOOO worth the lack of hassle and messing about with travellers cheques. Your credit card is of course useful as well.

[scoobydooby]

I went to Orlando earlier this year and took traveller cheques. Had been twice before and had no problems with them. However, this year, I found that several people didn't even know what they were! Tried to pay for four of us to see a film at Universal's Cinema, after the guy had said 'that's 32 dollars please'. He took the traveller's cheque and my passport as ID and then spent the next 5 minutes checking them against each other (supposedly trying to find a number on the cheque that corresponded with the passport no). After a while, he then handed them both back to me and said ' thank you mam - that's all in order, 32 dollars please'. I explained what the travellers cheque was and he had to call someone! Was always asked for ID (something which didn't happen during previous visits) - even when we became regular visitors to a well known restaurant chain. We got to know the staff and always paid with a cheque but still had to provide ID. Another time, we used a cheque to buy food from a VERY WELL KNOWN burger chain and the cashier wrote ALL of my passport details on the cheque (passport number, name, date of birth etc) before putting it in the till. A bit frightening in hindsight and I suppose I should have challenged why she needed all that info. Having said that, a few minor hiccups are well worth the visit, it's fantastic. Enjoy :o)