Traveller Cheques- id needed ?

[Scatty Cat]

Hi

Could someone please tell me if we need to produce id (passports) whenever we use travellers cheques ?

Also am I right in thinking we can use T.Cheques to pay at restaurants etc and get change in cash?

One other small question to you experts. Where do you find the best place to exchange sterling for USA dollars before your hols ?

[orangebreezer]

Yes you do need ID and yes you can use travellers cheques as cash and get change in dollars in all shops, restaurants ect. I personally go through my bank as they don't charge any commision.

[ukwdwnut]

the only place i needed to show id was ay world of denim, ime not many places ask for it, take more tc's than cash as i got robbed last oct and lost about $1000 cash, and $1000 tc's but got them replaced and keep all money on you at all times.(advice from deputy sheriff)change them in the shops where you are buying as banks will sometimes charge you for changing them up...........hope this helps :D

[typhoon tilly]

same as orangebreezer i get ours at bank and dont pay commision, have been taking advantage of good rate and have a tidy wee some in towards our july trip. :) :)

[typhoon tilly]

the only place i needed to show id was ay world of denim, ime not many places ask for it, take more tc's than cash as i got robbed last oct and lost about $1000 cash, and $1000 tc's but got them replaced and keep all money on you at all times.(advice from deputy sheriff)change them in the shops where you are buying as banks will sometimes charge you for changing them up...........hope this helps :D
sorry to hear you got robbed was this in your hotel, or was your pockets picked or what.

[ukwdwnut]

sorry to hear you got robbed was this in your hotel, or was your pockets picked or what.


hi TT

no we got robbed at the villa we rented at esprit on hwy 27, the DS said you will be more inclined to get robbed than mugged on the street, although it is not a common occurance

[orangebreezer]

the only place i needed to show id was ay world of denim, ime not many places ask for it
I would still suggest you carry ID with you. If you are unlucky like me, the one time you don't carry ID will be the one time you're asked for it.

[ukwdwnut]

dont get me wrong we still carried it with us but never needed it only at w-o-d :)

[typhoon tilly]

hi TT

no we got robbed at the villa we rented at esprit on hwy 27, the DS said you will be more inclined to get robbed than mugged on the street, although it is not a common occurance
we were going to take mostly cash this year but hearing about your bad luck i have changed my mind.

[Dizneemad]

In all the visits we have made I have never been asked for ID yet to cash a TC, but that does not mean I will in the future. The best exchange rate I have seen is at our Co-Op travel agents a good cent higher than anybody else.

[candyman]

we were asked for id in 2 places one was in the flea market and i think the other was wal mart i may be wrong in that but def was asked twice

good place for buying travelers checks if you have a M+S card you can buy them online and when i went the rate was very good .

and the service they offered was bril

but def take mostly travellers checks but don't for get some dollars for the tolls !!!
Steve

[Slowhand]

The new style of photo ID drivers licence will suffice for the rare occasions when you need some form of ID. It`s also less of a hassle than lugging your passports around with you, along with the possibility of losing them.

[candyman]

that is what i used terry

steve

[djhammon]

Hi
Just to add i have been to disney now 5 times and never once have i ever needed id to cash a TC in disney, the only place was at the Villa in Orange Lake Country Club where the reception wanted some id.

How ever if you have a plastic card driving license then this will be accepted as ID

David

[Scatty Cat]

Many thanks for all your advise. Unfortunately we have old style driving license so will not be able to use them will carry passports with us. By buying Traveller Cheques will I get the same exchange rate at purchase ? When will I gain from excellent exchange rate when I buy them or when I use them (sorry brain is mushy).

Sou mention the tolls can you please tell my how much I need to get from the airport to Osceola Parkway. If its coins I need can I get coins here or do I need to get change at the airport? Orlando airport by the way.

[ukwdwnut]

when you buy them cos you will get more $ for your money

get change at the airport, you will only need a few dollars you dont always need change i just gave smallish notes and that was ok

[Slowhand]

Many thanks for all your advise. Unfortunately we have old style driving license so will not be able to use them will carry passports with us. By buying Traveller Cheques will I get the same exchange rate at purchase ? When will I gain from excellent exchange rate when I buy them or when I use them (sorry brain is mushy).

Sou mention the tolls can you please tell my how much I need to get from the airport to Osceola Parkway. If its coins I need can I get coins here or do I need to get change at the airport? Orlando airport by the way.

Make sure that you get US Dollar travellers cheques. You would find it hard to use Sterling travellers cheques apart from changing them at a bank. Buy your cheques when you feel the time is right...it`s anyone`s guess as to whether the £-$ ratio will rise or fall.
Not sure about the exact tolls, but I`d guess around $2. Make sure that you have a few $1 bills. These are also useful at the airport if you need to get a luggage trolley which are $3 each.
The toll booths will accept notes [up to $20 I believe] and give you change so don`t worry about not having any coinage.

[marley]

I purchased a debit gift card through my bank. It cost 4.99 I was able to put what ever amount I wanted on it. You can use these anywhere they accept the logo. No cash required, no ID. If it's lost there is a number to call. You just have to keep track of your spending. There is a web site that shows your purchases if you foget. Worked out great, especially for my younger daughter.

[Ad.]

Okay, so just to clarify...

1. If I were to take travellers cheques, I need to get US travellers cheques

2. I can use the above in most places on Disney property like I would cash, and I will receive my change in cash

3. Spending my US travellers cheques like cash I won't get charged anything at point of sale?!?!? (i.e. no commission etc??)

4. If I take travellers cheques, I should note down all the numbers on them, and keep this list separate to the cheques - this way if they get robbed I can get them replaced easily?

5. TO use a travellers cheque (never done it before :blush: ) what do I need to do? DO I sign something as soon as I receive them? Do I need to sign something when I use them?

6. Just the credit-card sized plastic bit of the UK driving license with the photo on is sufficient as ID?

Sorry about so many questions - I was going to take mostly cash and credit card but I'm beginning to change my mind now :rolleyes:

[twink]

http://www.americanexpress.com/uk/tcc/index.shtml
Have alook at this site someone put it on a few days ago its a new way with travelers cheques its a card you load with money

[Ad.]

That does look kind of tempting I must say :thumbs:

[JuniorMickey]

Remember that not everywhere takes Amex. Just a heads up.

[Cindernaenae]

Now it doesn't seem the custom in Orlando, but I have been requested to show ID when using a credit card before. Depends on the area and the store's custom.

[JuniorMickey]

I've had Disney ID me a couple of times when using a CC (could be because I look young though)

[Whitequeen]

You can use the new AMEX Travelers Cheque card at SunTrust, US Bank & Wells Fargo ATM's. :thumbs:

[Deek]

http://www.americanexpress.com/uk/tcc/index.shtml
Have alook at this site someone put it on a few days ago its a new way with travelers cheques its a card you load with money
I think I have this correct, but if you purchase one of these cards then you will have to go with the exchange rate they set when you travel. So no longer will you be able to purchase your TC's when the rate is healthy. Here is the FAq relating to this. Hopefully someone will correct me if I have it wrong.

Will changes in exchange rates affect the amount of funds on my Card?
Changes in the rates of exchange over time may have an affect on the value of funds loaded on the Card if you spend in a different currency from the currency of your Card. Further, if you wish to redeem any remaining funds from the Card in US$ or Euro after your travel, you may not receive the pound sterling amount equivalent to the original rate at which you loaded the Travellers Cheque Card.

[Whitequeen]

Funnily enough, I've just been thinking about this in the car. :rolleyes:

It wouldn't pay to get one of these cards too much in advance of the trip, methinks. As you quite rightly say Deek, the exchange rate will change if you top it up to soon.
I like it for the ease of carrying.
I would probably get one very close to our trip.