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