travellers cheques?

nekdel

Hi, i'm going on holiday in 3 weeks and am lookin to bring travellers cheques but every bank i've rang up says they dont do em anymore. so my question is are they still sold in ireland?

cheers for any help.

Sue Rocks

Hey Nekdel,

Im not sure if they are still doing them in Ireland but even if they are I would recommend NOT getting them. It is almost impossible to find somewhere that will cash them in some countries. Avoid them like the plague is my advice!

nekdel

feck. thanks for the bad news sue. havn't been abroad for a couple of years. any recommendations?

kaki

Maybe easier to just bring your credit/laser/debit card with you? Anywhere you see the circuit logo (Maestro, Visa, Mastercard, whatever you have) you can withdraw in the local currency. Maybe bring some cash in a moneybelt as well, just to be on the safe side.

Any ATM/withdrawal/conversion fees still shouldn't be as expensive as the commission you would pay on travellers checks and as Sue said, they can be a pain in the hole to cash in and use at your destination.

TheInquisitor

Most banks dont do them anymore and you'll find it even more difficult for banks abroad to accept them. The days of bringing loads of cash have ended. People can now use lasers/credit cards abroad so travellers cheques just arent necessary.

Sue Rocks

I usually lodge my money to my credit card and use that for everything (meals etc) as it works ut cheaper than withdrawing cash.
Otherwise I agree with using ATM card etc but just make sure that you take cash out in large(ish) sums as each transaction costs you money.
I got this really thin money bag in Millets that goes inside your clothes and can't be seen so its great for carrying cash around and keeping it safe from pickpockets etc!

nekdel

alright thanks for the advice. looks like it's the laser card so.

Sue Rocks

I think its the easiest way to do it.

Hope you have a great time! Where are you heading off to?

undo

Other than the UK/Ireland and the US, cheques in general have been a thing of the past for many years. Credit cards, debit cards and electronic funds transfer killed them. Traveller's cheques were the last to go - but their time has come.

I can only agree with previous posters. Take your credit and debit cards with you. All airports have ATMs. There is no need to stock up on foreign cash beforehand. Just get it out at the airport.

nekdel

Sue Rocks wrote: »

I think its the easiest way to do it.

Hope you have a great time! Where are you heading off to?

thailand(koh samui). 1 friend has already left and another is meeting up with us. he's coming from aus.

Sue Rocks

Fantastic I was in Phi Phi, Koh Tao, Koh Samui (only for 1 day though ) and Phuket last year and absolutely loved it SO beautiful.... defo dont bring travellers cheques cause there are not that many actual banks around the islands.. plenty of ATMs but just not too many banks.

You will have a fantastic time ... this will probably sound strange but the toilets in Koh Samui airport (I was flying out of Koh Samui) are like something you would expect in the palace ... anyone else who has been will know what I mean. I thought it was hilarious when I saw them

nekdel

lol yeah not my first time in samui but always wanted to go to phi phi. what would ya reckon is the best spot ya been to?

Sue Rocks

Have to say Koh Tao its just so laid back there and the beach is amazing!! Its also incredible for scuba/snorkelling and defo the best place ive ever done scuba personally. I just loved the chilled out atmasphere and the bars were really laid back too.

I adored Phi Phi too mind you! I didnt stay in the main port though I stayed in a place called Laem Tong up north you have to get a boat there and it was paradise. Not much to do in the evening though so its more of a place to go with a partner ather than with even a small group.

Where is your fav??

nekdel

went to pattaya the first half of the first holiday and hated it. second half we went to samui and never looked back. but like i said would love to see phi phi and the bitch about it is this is gonna be a budget holiday, not gonna have the same money this time around. god damn recession.