If I take TC (sometimes I do, sometimes I don't), I get them at AAA for no cost as Boogzy mentioned. Many cambios will give a slightly lower exchange rate for TC than cash. Taking a mix of $$$ & TC works well. If I have any left when I return home, I either use them at the grocery store where I get very strange looks or just deposit them back into my bank account. Good pointers already given on keeping the numbers secure. I've never lost any but it's nice to have the security just in case of a worse case scenario.