| Author |
Message |
    
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 1166
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 2:50 pm: | 
|
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, and I don't think he will have 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 cash 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 |
jeep
Citizen
Username: Jeep
Post Number: 162
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 3:14 pm: |
|
Get him and american express travel card or a visa travel card that you can load money on. He can go to the cash machines or bank to get money. If you give the address where he is going to the card company they can tell you where the mac machines are for him to get money. If they are lost they are quickly replaced. While he is there you can replenish the card from here if need be. |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 1170
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 3:37 pm: |
|
Aha, so that's the modern way. Sounds great! Do you know where I can go to pick one up, or is it all online? |
jeep
Citizen
Username: Jeep
Post Number: 165
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 3:41 pm: |
|
you can call american express or call visa and they will surely direct you. But make sure before you get one that there are ample locations for you son to access money while away. I do believe visa offers more locations but you can literally narrow it down to the place he is staying. And i also think visa is accepted in more locations worldwide. |
Sherri De Rose
Citizen
Username: Honeydo
Post Number: 258
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 5:40 pm: |
|
In case you need...there is an American Express office in Summit on Springfield Avenue. |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 1173
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 5:48 pm: |
|
Thanks Sherri, and thanks all. Apparently you need 6-10 days lead time to get a card, so I guess it's paper this time, since he's leaving on Sat. According to the Amex website, the banks in SO offer Amex "cheques," and if that fails I'll trail up to Summit.
I definitely feel like The Bad Mother on this one, so thanks all for bailing me out! |
Miss L Toe
Citizen
Username: Miss_l_toe
Post Number: 505
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 5:58 pm: |
|
I've seen your appeal on the "Please Help" section on this board and have replied to it there... |
petite_mom
Citizen
Username: Petite_mom
Post Number: 53
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 7:03 pm: |
|
I know someone from Ethiopia, and he says cash will work best there. Only big hotels will accept credit cards/travelers cheques. Of course, he hasn't been there in 2 years, so it may have changed. |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 1176
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 11:37 am: |
|
petite_mom, thanks, that's what we heard, too, that it's pretty much all cash. just want to keep some $ in travelers' cks for safety, and cash them from time to time at Amex in the capital. |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page