# When was the last time you used a traveler's check? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 14, 2018, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-used-a-travelers-check/816102 "2018-06-14T18:27:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-used-a-travelers-check/816102/41 "2018-06-15T13:31:03Z")
1982 while traveling to Nassau, Bahamas. They were handy back in the day but barely a niche market now. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-used-a-travelers-check/816102/42 "2018-06-15T13:50:30Z")
In 1982, when I took a trip to Germany with the high school German club. It was the summer after my freshman year. I remember feeling like such an adult going to the bank to get traveler’s checks. It was kind of a big production then, and that’s what you did when you were “traveling overseas.” It seemed very chic. I contrast that with my trip to Toronto a few years ago. I exchanged money at the border, and when I needed to top up my supply of cash towards the end of my time there, I just used an ATM. Easy as pie. The difference between those two experiences has always served as one of my go-to examples of the changes technology has brought about within my lifetime. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-used-a-travelers-check/816102/43 "2018-06-15T14:07:07Z")
1999, in England. South Africa has always had the most ridiculous exchange controls, TCs were the cheapest way to get more than a few pounds. Also, we were youth hosteling, so didn’t want to carry too much actual cash. Two years later, we did the UK and Venice and just used our cards. We had these before, but didn’t really use them much - TCs did help us stick to a budget better. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-used-a-travelers-check/816102/44 "2018-06-15T14:22:56Z")
Maybe 15 years ago I got some as a bonus/reward at work. I used them to buy a handbag for my wife, the clerk was quite flustered but they worked. They were used like a gift card would be now. Before that when we went to Europe in 1980. There were Anerican Express offices all over, which helped. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-used-a-travelers-check/816102/45 "2018-06-15T14:23:42Z")
1983 ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-used-a-travelers-check/816102/46 "2018-06-15T15:43:32Z")
1971 in Rome. ---
**Author:** ![Pantastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3bc359/32.png) [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-used-a-travelers-check/816102/47 "2018-06-15T17:12:01Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > There was a time when there were no ATMs, you know. Even in the mid 90s, in fairly advanced countries like Chile, I had to take my Visa card to a bank and wait in queue to see a teller and get a cash advance on it, which came after a couple hours wait for processing… Not sure how Traveler’s checks help with that. Yeah, you had to go to a bank to withdraw cash, but you also had to go to the bank to get traveler’s checks, so that’s a wash. The specific thing you did had a couple of hours of wait, but wouldn’t you have the same wait buying checks? ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-used-a-travelers-check/816102/48 "2018-06-15T17:54:46Z")
> [@Pantastic](#): > > Not sure how Traveler’s checks help with that. Yeah, you had to go to a bank to withdraw cash, but you also had to go to the bank to get traveler’s checks, so that’s a wash. The specific thing you did had a couple of hours of wait, but wouldn’t you have the same wait buying checks? I don’t remember it taking long at all to buy them at the Amex office, but I was already there using their travel agent. Which is shoot idea for another thread! ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-used-a-travelers-check/816102/49 "2018-06-15T18:16:54Z")
1997 traveling to Ireland. They were basically useless, I tried them at a couple of restaurants and was refused, so I ended up cashing out a couple at the hotel desk cashier. Even the hotel gave me a :dubious: reaction. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-used-a-travelers-check/816102/50 "2018-06-15T20:08:32Z")
> [@Pantastic](#): > > Not sure how Traveler’s checks help with that. Yeah, you had to go to a bank to withdraw cash, but you also had to go to the bank to get traveler’s checks, so that’s a wash. The specific thing you did had a couple of hours of wait, but wouldn’t you have the same wait buying checks? So you’re equating the time it takes at a US bank to buy the checks with the time it takes in Chile to redeem them, and the times are equal? How do you know that? ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-used-a-travelers-check/816102/51 "2018-06-15T20:35:21Z")
Back in 2012. When we took our big trip to Yellowstone last year I learned the bank no longer offered them. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-used-a-travelers-check/816102/52 "2018-06-15T20:43:34Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > So you’re equating the time it takes at a US bank to buy the checks with the time it takes in Chile to redeem them, and the times are equal? How do you know that? Not only that, the time in Chile would be precious vacation time. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2018, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-used-a-travelers-check/816102/53 "2018-06-16T00:53:34Z")
Not to mention Southern Hemisphere time. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2018, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-used-a-travelers-check/816102/54 "2018-06-16T01:15:05Z")
> [@Pantastic](#): > > Not sure how Traveler’s checks help with that. Yeah, you had to go to a bank to withdraw cash, but you also had to go to the bank to get traveler’s checks, so that’s a wash. The specific thing you did had a couple of hours of wait, but wouldn’t you have the same wait buying checks? Why would you have to wait a couple of hours to buy them at a bank? I used to purchase them at a local AAA office and IIRC it only took a couple of minutes. I can’t imagine why it would take longer at a bank or Amex office. ---
**Author:** ![Pantastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3bc359/32.png) [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2018, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-used-a-travelers-check/816102/55 "2018-06-16T03:49:25Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > So you’re equating the time it takes at a US bank to buy the checks with the time it takes in Chile to redeem them, and the times are equal? How do you know that? No, I’m comparing the time it takes to buy traveler’s checks with the time required to get cash. If it takes several hours to clear a transaction to get cash from a bank, why would the bank give you traveler’s checks more quickly? Aren’t they going to want to be sure the transaction actually clears, regardless of whether they hand you bills or checks? > [@davidm](#): > > Why would you have to wait a couple of hours to buy them at a bank? I used to purchase them at a local AAA office and IIRC it only took a couple of minutes. I can’t imagine why it would take longer at a bank or Amex office. For whatever reason you’d have to wait a couple of hours to get cash at a bank. I’m not sure why getting cash would take several hours, and I really have no idea what bank would be willing to give you traveler’s checks immediately but cash only after hours. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2018, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-used-a-travelers-check/816102/56 "2018-06-16T05:10:42Z")
IIRC I always bought them with cash i had on hand, so the transaction was quick and easy. (Having cash on hand was pretty common back then.) I guess that explains my confusion about the timing. I’m not sure how “after hours” enters into the conversation. I never tried to make such a transaction after hours. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2018, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-used-a-travelers-check/816102/57 "2018-06-16T06:13:55Z")
> [@Pantastic](#): > > No, I’m comparing the time it takes to buy traveler’s checks with the time required to get cash. If it takes several hours to clear a transaction to get cash from a bank, why would the bank give you traveler’s checks more quickly? Aren’t they going to want to be sure the transaction actually clears, regardless of whether they hand you bills or checks? > > For whatever reason you’d have to wait a couple of hours to get cash at a bank. I’m not sure why getting cash would take several hours, and I really have no idea what bank would be willing to give you traveler’s checks immediately but cash only after hours. You could get travelers checks at your own bank in the US, where you have an account. It only takes a few minutes because they already know you have the money, and they take it right out of your account. A foreign bank would typically accept a travelers check right away, so again, there would be no wait to get foreign currency if you wanted to exchange them. There was no “couple of hours wait” on either end. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2018, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-used-a-travelers-check/816102/58 "2018-06-16T06:24:39Z")
I THINK it was China in 2007. The next international trip we made (we were living in Bangkok) was Vietnam in 2010, and I’m sure that was the first time we relied exclusively on our ATM card. ---
**Author:** ![Pantastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3bc359/32.png) [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2018, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-used-a-travelers-check/816102/59 "2018-06-16T14:03:39Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > You could get travelers checks at your own bank in the US, where you have an account. It only takes a few minutes because they already know you have the money, and they take it right out of your account. You can get cash from your own bank too. It only takes a few minutes because they already know you have the money. This is not a magical property of Traveler’s checks, this is how banks work. The several hours delay that I was responding to involved doing a cash advance against a credit card in a foreign bank, and I don’t see where getting Traveler’s checks instead of cash would help that. If you planned ahead and got checks in the US it might solve the problem, but you’d also solve the problem if you planned ahead and got cash. > [@](#): > > A foreign bank would typically accept a travelers check right away, so again, there would be no wait to get foreign currency if you wanted to exchange them. Are you saying that a foreign bank wouldn’t accept US cash for conversion into foreign currency, but would accept Traveler’s checks? This runs contrary to what I’ve heard from people dealing with foreign currency, where US dollars are generally welcome. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2018, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-used-a-travelers-check/816102/60 "2018-06-16T19:35:55Z")
> [@Pantastic](#): > > You can get cash from your own bank too. It only takes a few minutes because they already know you have the money. This is not a magical property of Traveler’s checks, this is how banks work. The several hours delay that I was responding to involved doing a cash advance against a credit card in a foreign bank, and I don’t see where getting Traveler’s checks instead of cash would help that. If you planned ahead and got checks in the US it might solve the problem, but you’d also solve the problem if you planned ahead and got cash. > > Are you saying that a foreign bank wouldn’t accept US cash for conversion into foreign currency, but would accept Traveler’s checks? This runs contrary to what I’ve heard from people dealing with foreign currency, where US dollars are generally welcome. The point wasn’t that travelers checks were more convenient than cash. The point was that they were safer than cash. If travelers checks were stolen they could be replaced. Remember this was in the age before ubiquitous ATMs and credit card acceptance. You could either carry a huge wad of cash, which could easily be stolen, or you took travelers checks. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-used-a-travelers-check/816102.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-used-a-travelers-check/816102.md?page=4)