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Traveller's cheques
For our North American visitors, a "check" is
something you do to make sure everything is OK, or it's a
pattern you wear, it's not something you write for payment...
In Australia, that's a "cheque", as in "we
accept cheques with ID" or "No cheques
accepted or cashed".
Traveller's' cheques are one of the safest and least troublesome
means of carrying funds, since they can be refunded if stolen
or lost... To save money, buy Traveller's' cheques where
you don't pay a fee. They are available in denominations
of $20
$50 $100 $500 and $1000... however, the smaller ones will
always be easier to cash. Several agencies and banks sell
them, usually for
face value plus a small commission. Sometimes you can even
escape the commission; for instance, members of the American
Automobile Association and some banks and credit unions can
get American Express cheques commission-free.
Each Traveller's' cheque agency provides refunds if cheques
are lost or stolen, and many provide additional services
like toll-free refund hotlines, emergency message services,
and stolen credit card assistance.
While travelling, keep cheque receipts and a record of the
ones you've cashed (separate from the cheques themselves).
Also, leave a list of cheque numbers with someone at home...
Never countersign cheques until you're ready to cash them,
and when you do cash them, always have your passport with
you.
If your cheques are lost or stolen, immediately contact
one of your agency's refund centres to be reimbursed; they
may require a police report verifying the loss... outside
the main tourist regions in the rural areas
you may not find refund centres at all,
so you might
have to wait to be reimbursed... Ask about toll-free refund
centres when purchasing your cheques and always carry emergency
cash.
American Express
Cheques are available at select banks and
all American Express offices... US residents can also purchase
cheques by phone (888-887-8986) or online.
AAA offers commission-free cheques to its members. Cheques
available in US, Australian, British, Canadian, Japanese,
and Euro currencies... Cheques for two can be signed by
either of 2 people travelling together.
For purchase locations or more information, contact American
Expresses service centres:
- US and Canada 800-221-7282
- UK 0800 521 313
- Australia 800 25 19 02
- New Zealand 0800 441 068
- Elsewhere US collect + 1 801-964-6665
Visa
Cheques are available (generally with commission) at banks
worldwide. Checks available in US, British, Canadian, Japanese,
and Euro currencies.
For the location of the nearest office, call Visa's service
centres:
- US 800-227-6811
- UK 0800 89 50 78
- Elsewhere UK collect +44 027937 8091
Travelex/Thomas Cook
- US and Canada 800-287-7362
- UK 0800 62 21
- Elsewhere UK collect +44 1733 31 89 50
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