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Message |
    
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 1168
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 3:19 pm: | 
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(cross posted, sorry, but it's sort of a last-minute question)
Any thoughts on this? I haven't used traveler's checks in XX years, just carrying credit card instead.
Here's the situation: My 19 yo son* is going to Ethiopia for 2 months. He does not expect major expenses as it's a volunteer trip. His lodging is covered, and he's not a shopper, so it's basically just some supplies, maybe a couple of side trips, maybe supplement the food, and I understand prices are pretty low there. He doesn't have a credit card, just the debit card connected to his B of A checking account.
I don't want him to carry all cash or come up short of money. Can't count on ATM access, certainly not anywhere outside the capital.
AAA can provide traveler's checks under the Visa name. B of A I wouldn't use, since my husband was unable to use their traveler's checks even in Texas, let alone Ethiopia. Does Amex still offer traveler's checks? Where to get them? Alternative companies? Alternatives to traveler's checks?
Thanks so much for any info.
MC
*for those with long memories, yes, this is the one who didn't join the Marines. |
ina
Citizen
Username: Ina
Post Number: 377
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 4:34 pm: |
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Praise the lord, mjc, and I'm not a religious person.
The beauty of Amex traveler's checks is they'll be replaced if lost or stolen. However, they'll only be useful in large cities, similar to the ATM situation. Make sure his bank card uses a compatible system (Cirrus, etc.). I'm not surprised banks in TX wouldn't know what to do with traveler's checks, but outside of the US banks are far more used to dealing in foreign currencies & checks. |
Miss L Toe
Citizen
Username: Miss_l_toe
Post Number: 504
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 5:41 pm: |
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There used to be Amex counters at newark airport but since more and more people just get their foreign currency by ATM these days their business dried up and they closed last August.
The only place I can think of to buy Amex TCs are at their travel shop on the main high street in Summit or at their various locations in NYC.
Other well known TCs are the Mastercard cheques issued by world famous Thomas Cook and sold at the Travelex currency exchange counters at Newark airport (they have two at Terminal B; one is next to Starbucks at the International Arrivals hall and upstairs next to the food court).
How exciting for your son to go to Ethiopia! I guess he's already looked at the Lonely Planet website, but if he hasn't they have lots of info here:
http://search.lonelyplanet.com/query.html?col=full&ht=0&qp=&qs=&qc=&pw=100%25&ws =0&la=en&qm=0&st=1&nh=10&lk=1&rf=0&rq=0&si=0&qt=ethiopia
(He can look up the forums on Africa inc. Ethiopia in their 'Thorn Tree' section).
Hope this helps!
http://www.travelex.com/usa/personal/TC_default.asp?content=tc
Home page: http://www.travelex.com |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 1174
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 6:03 pm: |
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Wow, Miss L, what great, detailed info! I will forward the thread(s) to the kid. Yes, he's looked at lonely planet and has been reading their Ethiopia/Eritrea book. Also had the good fortune to meet 3 Ethiopian guys working at that international crossroads, the South Orange Pizza Hut.
ina, you and me both. As you might expect, I'm hugely relieved that he's choosing to use his new EMT skills and innate kindness helping the sisters in Addis instead of going into the service at this time. He was looking for something where he would be part of a team, do something intense, and have an actual effect on the world, and this project seems to fill the bill. I imagine it will be a life-changing trip for him, hopefully all in positive ways.
thanks |
CageyD
Citizen
Username: Cageyd
Post Number: 695
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 8:09 pm: |
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One thing with debit cards is that some countries use a different system. IN France, I had trouble using my debit card because it had a mag strip and not a smart chip. |
akb
Citizen
Username: Akb
Post Number: 424
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 9:13 pm: |
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mjc, I travelled a lot in developing countries at about your son's age and found the best way was to have a credit card which was "loaded" in advance (ie always had more money in it than I was spending). Back then, that avoided cash advance fees and I could use the card for credit or ATM purposes. Mastercard or Visa is more ubiquitous than Amex, especially in Africa, although Amex has its own advantages, too.
Travellers checks are not usually exchanged free outside the US and the commission can be quite high. |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 1177
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 11:59 am: |
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akb, thanks, the card sounds like the best thing, but we may be too late to get one since he's leaving on Saturday; the Amex website says 6-10 days. I'll check out Visa/MC. From what I hear, only cash is useful outside the capital, and mostly cash even there. I was just hoping to have part of his money in something more secure, and thinking he could cash the checks periodically at an Amex office in the capital.
I should have asked MOL about this sooner!
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Seagull
Citizen
Username: Seagull
Post Number: 109
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 12:58 pm: |
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Would the AmEx giftcards work outside the US? You can pick them up at the bank (Wachovia in the village)
From what I understand, they work the same as a credit card. Don't take my word for it though- I'm sure the bank teller or AmEx could let you know.
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akb
Citizen
Username: Akb
Post Number: 426
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 3:37 pm: |
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mjc, yes, cash will be king (and it won't hurt to have some US dollars too as hard currency can be useful), but if he can go in to Addis, he'll be able to withdraw cash. It will be safer and less stressful than carrying all cash.
Tell him an invisible friend on MOL thinks he's doing something really worthwhile. Good for him. |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 1178
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 6:04 pm: |
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akb, thanks for your encouraging words! It's good to hear from someone who went out and came back OK. I have my fingers (all) crossed that he will stay away from any trouble areas, and keep his hands out of his mouth.
He will be in Addis I guess until they see how he is doing, then will either stay there or go to a different facility, wherever they need the help. Hopefully by the time he leaves Addis he will have his feet more or less on the ground. I REALLY liked the idea of a card we could refill from here, but oh well. Guess we'll just send him off with some dollars (which I gather are actually usable there too), some local currency if I can get it, plus a few hundred in the traveler's checks, and plan better next time.
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akb
Citizen
Username: Akb
Post Number: 427
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 9:10 pm: |
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mjc, why don't you go ahead and get the card and send it on to him in Addis? If you are careful not to activate it until he receives it safely, it should be OK.
Eh - just re-read and remembered it is a 2 mos trip. May not be worth it at this point. |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 1183
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 12:12 pm: |
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Well, if anyone's interested, he's off, with a money belt stocked with dollars, a wad of Pizza Hut tips, and some paper Amex traveler's checks. Amazingly, we already rec'd e-mail from Addis, and he says "all's well." 
Thanks all! |
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