Cambio Question

[toomanybeaches]

Next trip coming up in 12 days - just found out that neither of the banks I deal with still sells travelers checks, although there is one other bank in town that does. However, the fee is now 2% instead of 1%.

I have always used trav. checks to get cash at the cambios. Seems like the banks want me to buy one of those "travel cards" pre-loaded with a certain amount of money. Can I use this card to get cash at a cambio? Can I use a regular credit card to get cash at a cambio? (I assume I can use it at ScotiaBank).

The general attitude seems to be that travelers checks are obsolete. Tough for us senior citizens to adjust.

[booger]

Debit card is the way to go. If you bank with Scotia or BofA you can use the Scotia atm's with no fees and a great exchange rate. Just let your bank know before you go so that they do not put a block on your card.

[Ras Walleye]

If you are a AAA member you can get Travelers checks with no fee. Otherwise you can use the pre paid card or debit/credit card at the ATMs at Scotia Bank or NCB Bank or the one next to the HiLo. We still use checks and never have a problem.

[dave]

Do not use a credit card to get cash-the fees are close to 10%- it's not the same as using an ATM or debit card.
I looked into doing this once when mi cash was running low & upon finding out how much it was going to cost I quickly forgot about it