Traveler’s Checks

Traveller’s checks are not used very often anymore except if you are travelling to remote locations. Especially if you are going to a remote part of the world, your company may issue traveller’s checks. These can be used as cash if they are issued in the currency of the country that you are traveling to. You can also use them in stores, airlines, hotels as the equivalent of cash. All you need is your passport for identification. Or, if you are in a country that does not require a passport to enter (eg European Union when travelling on European passport) an internationally recognized photo ID (eg Euro card, driver’s license).

Your company may issue you with traveler’s cheques in $US or Euro or ₤ to cover most countries. With these currencies, you can easily use them on subsequent trips if you do not use them all. Otherwise they need canceling which is administratively time consuming.

You can also cash them in when you get to your international destination. This can be done at a bank, foreign currency exchange booth (at all international airports and at major tourist attractions) or at the hotel. The best exchange rate will be at a bank. Once again, you will need your passport for identification. Or another internationally recognized photo ID can be used in a country that does not require a passport to enter. For example, European countries when you are traveling on a European passport.