Have been reading over my travel guides like a fiend (we leave two weeks from Thursday). They suggest that traveler%26#39;s checks are hard to use in Nice. Is this true? It is suggested that we just use ATMS which wouldn%26#39;t be a problem, just always thought that you should have some funds in traveler%26#39;s checks, No?
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I haven%26#39;t used travellers cheques for years now. Simply because of the hassle of having to take your passport to cash them in.
I travel in Europe, usually Spain, at least 3 times a year, and always take just a few hundred euros, and my ATM card.
It is much easier.
Have a good trip.
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Maybe it is too late for you to do this or you don;t like credit cards, but we got a Capitol One mastercard. Most places take mastercard (most vendors at the markets did not take cc). Capitol One doesn%26#39;t add a service charge and the exchange rate is better than what you get here in France at an ATM. We brought some cash in euros also and used the ATM once when our cash ran low. We needed cash to pay for a day wine tour (cc not accepted) which was close to the end of our stay. There was a fee attached by our bank for using the ATM and the exchange rate was less beneficial to us that using the cc. We knew this but figured we wouldn%26#39;t take that much cash out so it has not been a problem.
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We have traveled extensively in Europe and Traveller%26#39;s checks seem to be a thing of the past since they are not accepted most places. ATMs are the best and easiest way to get the local currency. Be sure to telephone the card issuer before leaving home to advise them on when and where you are traveling. If you do not alert them in advance you risk the issuer freezing the card since the foreign transaction would cause them to suspect fraud. When you telephone the issuer you should also ask what the maximum amount is that you may withdraw each day.
Happy travels.
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Thank you all for your responses. Other than the Caribbean, it%26#39;s been years since I%26#39;ve traveled outside the states.
By the way Annie, I%26#39;m jealous. I lived in Spain (Rota) for 3 years (moved back stateside nineteen years ago). Really loved it there.
I know I%26#39;ll have a few more miscellaneous questions between now and then. Thank you everybody for your patience and understanding.
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I just returned from the Nice area and found that I got the best currency exchange rates charging with my Visa card even though I used an HSBC ATM card for cash at their own machines. I have had an on-going pet peeve for 40 years about the French getting upset when receiving large bills. Therefore, whenever I go, beforehand I get 50 euros from my local bank in 5 euro denominations. In the past, not this current trip, I have had problems in restaurants using a Visa card because of the hand-held machines they use. For that reason I always have cash available in case it is needed. My bank doesn%26#39;t charge me for traveler%26#39;s checks, nor do they charge to have unused ones put back into my account. So SOMETIMES, seldom, I bring a small amount because when my daughter was in France once, the people who fill the ATM machines were on strike and she couldn%26#39;t get any cash. As you can see I am a little obsessive about details and contingency plans. However, traveler%26#39;s checks really are unnecessary and a hassle to cash at banks.
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You can only really change travellers cheques in banks and Bureau de Changes. You can%26#39;t use them to pay for goods like you can in the US.
If you decide to go the ATM route, please do tell your Bank that your going, otherwise they can put a bar on your card as a guard against fraud.
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