Advice needed on travellers cheques/cash in France.?

Question

Going to Argeles next week and just discovered may not be able to change travellers cheques easily when there. Anyone been?

Answer 1

Travellers cheques are the worst imaginable way to take money. You lose out on commission rates AND charges.

Yes they will change them in France but at a price.

Better to pay by credit card and use ATMs for cash

Answer 2

Before using your credit or debit card in an ATM check with the card issuer if they'll charge you for using it abroad!

If you're not happy with taking travellers cheques, try a Travel Money card from the Post Office (yes, I'm a PO counter clerk). It's one of the safest ways of taking cash abroad. You can pre-load it with Euro's US Dollars or Sterling & either use it to pay for things like a debit card or make cash withdrawals at ATMS.

Check it out on www.postoffice.co.uk

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

I didn't know anyone still used them. What's wrong with cash & a debit or credit card?

Answer 4

I quit using travelers cheques in Europe 10 years ago because it was getting harder to find places to cash them and stores don't like to accept them.  They've been eclipsed by debit cards and credit cards.

I would encourage you to buy some Euros before you go, just so you don't have to worry about getting local money when you are tired from travelling. You can usually buy foreign currency at any chartered bank, but it might have to be ordered in (it takes a couple days).  You might have to have an account at the bank where you are purchasing the foreign currency (due to rules regarding money laundering).  

Then use your debit card while in France to get cash from ATMs, and/or a credit card for your purchases.  

Before you leave for France, ask at your bank if your debit card will work over there.  Sometimes (rarely) there has to be a modification to the PIN.  Bon voyage!

Answer 5

Suggest you get a Visa or Mastercard debit card, with a 4 digit PIN, and use this for day to day spending, and a credit card for accommodation costs and larger purchases.

Traveller's cheques are becoming increasingly hard to cash, and the commission is often exorbitant.  If your commited to this, then try cashing at the local post office or bank.