Recent experiences with traveler's cheques? ... (paging Ras Walleye)

I was told by the manager of the resort we'll be staying at for our upcoming trip that traveler's cheques are no longer being honored due to some new IMF (?) regulation.

Yes, this has come up in the past, and I did search and find info from early 2013, but I'm wondering if there is new information. Perhaps this relates to a property or service operator not being able to accept them for payment any longer? Maybe I can still go to the cambio or bank with my ID, and do a face to face cash out of a TC? Have always had good experience at the Fx Trader by Hi-Lo.

I don't want to use a credit card, and would prefer not go the debit card/ATM route... If cash is king, so be it, but I still like the security of traveler's cheques...

Any information or clarification greatly appreciated! Thank you thank you! - k

Just to add to this have any of the recent visitors had trouble cashing TC's at the cambios

My Walleye sense was tingling, now I know why.
We used Amex travelers checks at the FX Trader cambio by the HiLo in August with no trouble.
Still get them free at AAA but I don't know for how much longer.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ras Walleye

My Walleye sense was tingling, now I know why.
We used Amex travelers checks at the FX Trader cambio by the HiLo in August with no trouble.
Still get them free at AAA but I don't know for how much longer.

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:) :) Well, August 2013 is more recent than January 2013, so we'll probably give it a go. I also see that the American Express website shows NCB, and Scotiabank as exchange locations... hate going into the banks, but if push comes to shove...

Thanks for the response! - k

I like using American Express travelers checks too. I get them free from my bank and used them last February. I did notice the cambio across from Burger King no longer took them and the banmark on the west end gave a poor exchange rate for travelers checks. That being said I changed them at the bank every few days and was surprised to get a higher rate than the cambio was giving for US. Just slightly higher but still pleasantly surprised. I plan on using them this February and cashing them at the bank. I just hope there still taking them.

Never had any problems in the past. Leaving Tues and have already purchased them. I don't think there will be a problem. They are safer than cash to me. If the Banmark is a little lower rate, that's no big deal. I'd much rather loose a buck or two on the exchange rate than loose the wad of cash one would have to bring. It'll all be good in the end. If it isn't...not too worry, I'll post something upon return!!

I have used the FX Trader by the HiLo for every trip but the first one going back to 1999. I have also used FX Traders in MoBay and Ochi. Never had a problem. I've stood in bank lines twice in Jamaica and hopefully never again.

Here's my 2 cents: don't get them! as most of you know , we stay at Bar-B-Barn, in April cambio outside De-bus, went to bank in town, more trouble, we got double sinage checks, as u know only one has to sign, the Lulu did not bring a passport, would not cash them! Bottom line, multi- cabs just to get cash, now cash or plastic!!!!

Never had a problem at any location on the Island. Just carry my drivers license from home. Always use Cambio's.

Well, hopefully things will go like they did last Jan. We had no problems cashing them at Wise Choice or L&M on the cliffs, as well as Banmark. So, as cliff dwellers, I feel fairly confident that things will go well. Give me a few days and I'll let you know. :) Regarding Lulu and Al's comment, we used Drivers License since I don't really feel comfortable carrying my passport with me. Here's hoping that all will go as planned..

I cashed one today at the cambio by Hi-Lo. I cashed three on, well, I think it was Tuesday. Same spot. Brought both my passport and driver's license the first time, just brought my driver's license the second, that was all that they needed. American Express ones from the local bank.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JaJodi

I cashed one today at the cambio by Hi-Lo. I cashed three on, well, I think it was Tuesday. Same spot. Brought both my passport and driver's license the first time, just brought my driver's license the second, that was all that they needed. American Express ones from the local bank.

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Nice!! Breathing a likkle easier now...even though my past experiences have been all good. Thanks for posting JaJodi!! Negril bound on Tuesday and wanting all to go nice and easy!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lulu and Al

Here's my 2 cents: don't get them! as most of you know , we stay at Bar-B-Barn, in April cambio outside De-bus, went to bank in town, more trouble, we got double sinage checks, as u know only one has to sign, the Lulu did not bring a passport, would not cash them! Bottom line, multi- cabs just to get cash, now cash or plastic!!!!

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:-(

me too,
have had similar problems with the banks and cambios.

I've *learned* that it depends on the teller/cashier, and what kind of mood they're in that day. If they're in a bad mood they'll *decide* to have some *fun* jerking-the-tourist/foreigner around.

Nevetheless,
i use AmericanExpressTravelersExpress travelers checks EXCLUSIVE-ly..!!..
always have, and always still will (even with the past bad experiences).

What I've Learned To DO

option #1...Use the WesternUnion office as primary cashing place.

option #2...Go to HiLo OR ValueMaster [[[ they're the same-company ]]] ---- but FIRST stop by the customer service desk and tell 'em what you wanna/gonna do. They'll more than likely say "..OK.. NO problem... blah blah raa raa.."

make your purchase, and hand-over the traveler-check to the check-out cashier.... get change .... move on.

When I've used the HiLo/ValueMaster option, i usually will make it a small itty-bitty purchase, 'cause (for me) neither store has anything i want/need, for the most part ---- sometimes i'll get a pack of CravenA's or maybe some sweeties, a Ting and a spice bun.

Believe it or Not,
Once upon a time,
in Lucea,
the main China-man store cashed my traveler check with NO ID..!!..

he looked pon me,,,,, said:::>>> "..is this you/yours..??.."
me-SAY:::>> "..Sure.."

KaChing --- deal done..!!..

that was unusual for-sure ,,,, he knew me, 'cause i would come in everyday for 3-4 CravenA's and/or a $200 phone card.

this trip,
next-week
i'm going with travelers checks.

stay tuned

'bout week-end next, i'll try to remember to post what happened and how things go.

me personally ain't expecting any problems ----- NONE At-tall...!!..

one more traveler check story
bad start, with a happy ending.

i was in MoBay,
and wanted to cash a travelers check

they man behind the counter was in a *mood*
and said my signatures didn't match

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

so,
when i got back to Lucea,
i went to my usual WesternUnion cashing place

chatted-up the lady behind the glass,
told her i KNEW she wasn't 'spose to cash the check with the two-signatures,
but could i please please see the manager to explain blah blah raaa raaa..

saw manager

she's seen me around town over the years,
seen me in her pharmacy regularly,
got some photos from me that i'd taken at an event, (several years ago)

she-SAY::>> "..NOT a problem.."

walked back to the WesternUnion place
waved me to the front of line

deal DONE..!!..

[[ end of story ]]]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JaJodi

I cashed one today at the cambio by Hi-Lo.

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GOOD info der..!!..

thanks for the feed-back
MUCH appreciated

:-)

glad to hear people are still using them, this trip i'm bringing some TCs as back up in case of lost or compromised debit/credit card. i don't love the lineups at the bank but i'd rather have options.

Treehouse used to cash them. Does anyone know if they still do?

Up until a couple trips ago, I also brought them. Not anymore they don't give as good of a rate, although I never had any problem cashing them.
Actually had more problem buying them at my bank they never can find them?

I got the same rate using TCs as cash at the cambio. We use them and also bring our ATM card. And cash. But, never enough for the whole trip so we have to get $ some way.

They were a B*tch to find, even the local American Express office does not have them. I ended up buying some at one of the Chase banks and not all of them carry them.

Thanks to everyone for the great info!

if i wanted to cash TCs at a bank would the NCB by hi-lo have shorter line ups?

We have used TCs every trip for years. As long as you go to a Cambio with FX traders, they accept TCs. The one by the Valuemaster at the roundabout does not. I also carry just my drivers' license and that has proven acceptable.

I am having more and more trouble locating banks around here that still carry TCs. So, we are also trying a prepaid Visa travel card to test out at the ATMs for cash. The fees aren't too bad from our Credit Union - $ 4.95 to add money to it, $ 1.00 to use at an ATM plus what the ATM charges, and 1% across the border fee. If it is lost or stolen, we can contact Visa and inform them and they will put a stop on it.

We have no problems buying travellers checks at our credit union, we used to get them at Chase but they were no longer free so the CU it is. I always cash them at whatever that place is called on the street in front of Bourbon Beach (last visit in Feb 2013)

I've alway used AMX TC and never had a problem with them, until last April the cambia beside the Scotia Bank no longer would take them. I have used this place for years.
On our recent trip end of Nov-Dec /13 I cashed some at the cambio on the beach road and some at the Scotia also, No Problem.