Travel checks

Yes.........in a nutshell. Practially no merchants will accept them, and many travelers report having a very hard time finding a bank to cash them. AMEX even closed their Florence offices a year or so ago...There's just one in Venice. Life would certainly be simpler for her IF she used an ATM card - is she opposed to even getting a card? Are those the only two places she's going to visit? How long will she be traveling? Will she have other ways to access cash (credit cards, etc.)?

Yes, very few places still deal with traveler's checks. Six years ago I used them on my first trip, but only for the hotel. I checked with the hotel first to see if it was okay. And they needed the checks to clear before we stayed there. For any other daily expenses, she is going to have a very hard time getting shop keepers to take them.

And the few banks that will cash them for you charge fairly heft fees to do so. It's much better to use an ATM.

Yes. Difficult to impossible. She needs to learn how to use ATMs.

Jim, as the others have mentioned, using Traveller's Cheques is NOT a good idea for a variety of reasons. It will probably be difficult to find a shop or Hotel that will accept them, and those that will take them will charge HUGE fees for the "privilege". I definitely agree with Rick on this point - "I've cashed my last Traveller's Cheque"!!! I don't know of any reasonable alternatives to ATM's for obtaining cash when travelling. This might be a good time for your sister-in-law to get used to using ATM's, even if she just starts a chequing account for this trip. If she uses credit cards, perhaps she could "pre-load" some cash on her account (ie: have a credit balance) and then use the credit card to obtain cash. It would be a good idea for her to speak with the staff at her Bank as they may know of other methods. Good luck!

This is one of the few things with which everyone here agrees. (Nawwww, there must be someone here who still uses travelers checks, there's always a contrarian?) So let's make it 99 to 1 against travelers checks.

Hi Jim, I'd use the Traveler Cheques. KIDDING! So I guess it's 100 - 0. Tell your Sis to ditch the black and white TV as well. That was mean, sorry. Florence/Venice, fun.

Jim, I have for the last 5 trips to Europe, have used ATM's and have had no trouble whatsoever. It is more convenient and the rates that the exchange will take place from Euros to Dollars when hitting you account will be better than if you just go to a cambio or change place to buy. Of course, depending on the bank she uses, there could be a withdrawal charge. Depending how long she will be there, I would not do more than I would need to withdraw. Example, if you need a total of $600.00 then, I would either withdraw that whole amount, or if not like to carry that amount, then divide it over 2 or 3 times. I was in Europe a month, and did about half as much at a time, when I needed the money. As others have said, you can't even find many places that will accept the travelers checks or let alone cash them, be it a bank or store. Just be careful when entering the pin number and use an atm that is located in a safe area, or inside the entry way to a bank. Have fun.

I agree with everyone else that travelers checks are a pain to use. If she insists on using them she can cash them at currency exchanges but she will loose money on each and every one she cashes due to fees. Encourage her to get an ATM card and practice using it in the States before her trip. Make sure she alerts her bank to her travels so the bank does not view activity in Italy as suspicious and blocks her card.

Its been at least 15 yrs since I used Travellers checks in Europe. There is a reason most ( and by most, I mean almost everyone) is now using ATMS. Easy to find, they are everywhere, fees can be small or non existant( my bank charges me no fee , and only the regular conversion) , and its so convenient. You can take out cash as you go,, no big worry about losing large sums. I take money out every 3-5 days, keep bulk in hotel safe, or in my moneybelt if travelling, and just have a days cash in my bag. No small stores , cafes etc will accept tcs,, and finding a bank that will cash them will be always a search.. and you will pay pay pay fees. Tell SIL to go to her bank, get an ATM card. Then say she could take a few TC with her as emergency backup,, she can then feel "safe" and she can also try using one or two and see what we all mean about the hassle.

If you can find a bank that will cash them it is a TIME CONSUMING Process and it involves a fee. The ATM is SO much easier. If you cash them at an exchange you will find a terrible exchange rate and a costly fee. They are a bad idea. Buon viaggio, RB