Cash, Traveler's checks, debit card?

[Al Drake]

Took travellers checks last year and had a hard time cashing them at beach road cambio. Had no problem in town next to Hi Lo. Big headache. This year we are bringing cash

For me the only downside of spending cash is the failure to have a record of where it goes. That's why I use nothing but my debit card at home. I haven't had cash since I carried it for a phone call or taxi.

[captaind]

For me the only downside of spending cash is the failure to have a record of where it goes. That's why I use nothing but my debit card at home. I haven't had cash since I carried it for a phone call or taxi.

As a retired ship captain it's second nature for me to keep a log.

I have a complete expense report of all my trips as well as money spent to upgrade my yard, business expenses, money sent to the kids etc.

[Melody]

Took travellers checks last year and had a hard time cashing them at beach road cambio. Had no problem in town next to Hi Lo. Big headache. This year we are bringing cash

What kind of problem did you have? I used that cambio my 2 trips last year and the one in April. One time I went, they told me to come back a couple of hours later...I guess they didnt have enough cash.

I can get travelers cheques free at my bank and I like to take about $150 worth in case the ATM machine isn't working (hasn't yet happened to me, but have read it happens a lot).

I have a Scotiabank account that I opened exclusively for Jamaica trips. It's a basic savings account and I get charged $1.25 each ATM withdrawal (even at my home branch), but that's all I get charged when withdrawing in Jamaica too. I believe Bank of America is affiliated and there are no (extra) fees withdrawing from the Scotiabank ATMs in Jamaica either.

I only use Jamaican dollars there now.

[Al Drake]

What kind of problem did you have? I used that cambio my 2 trips last year and the one in April. One time I went, they told me to come back a couple of hours later...I guess they didnt have enough cash.

I can get travelers cheques free at my bank and I like to take about $150 worth in case the ATM machine isn't working (hasn't yet happened to me, but have read it happens a lot).

I have a Scotiabank account that I opened exclusively for Jamaica trips. It's a basic savings account and I get charged $1.25 each ATM withdrawal (even at my home branch), but that's all I get charged when withdrawing in Jamaica too. I believe Bank of America is affiliated and there are no (extra) fees withdrawing from the Scotiabank ATMs in Jamaica either.

I only use Jamaican dollars there now.

Have they discontinued any of the coins? I have some huge coins from past visits. They must be making then out of hub caps by now.

[Melody]

Have they discontinued any of the coins? I have some huge coins from past visits. They must be making then out of hub caps by now.

I haven't seen any large coins so maybe they are discontinued.

[Mr B]

I went in every couple days to cash travellers checks. one day they said they were not cashing checks today, another day I had to come back later only to get half what I wanted cashed. Another day they said they had no money yet but took another person with cash to exchange. that one really got me going

[Al Drake]

11 trips so far and we have never taken anything but cash.

Cash is my second favorite thing to spend. Second to time.

[JaJodi]

We had always used travelers checks and the challenge last time we got them (May of this year) was finding anyone who even had them available to purchase. We were still able to exchange them at the cambio by Hi-Lo. Next trip (December), we have some leftover J, will bring a wad of cash (I have started saving ones and fives), and use the ATM. I don't think we'll go back to getting travelers checks. The charge for the ATM is about what it cost us to buy travelers checks.

[captaind]

I keep one ATM card in Jamaica which I use to send money and get cash while I'm there.

I use Ja dollars exclusively.

[Al Drake]

I keep one ATM card in Jamaica which I use to send money and get cash while I'm there.

I use Ja dollars exclusively.

Sounds like a good plan.

Thanks.