| My first time overseas, I had to exchange cash in | | | | until the matter is sorted out. |
| $200 of travelers checks to pay a mountaineering | | | | Of course, on longer trips it's a hassle to pay the credit |
| guide who hadn't heard of American Express. The | | | | card bill on time, which isn't a problem with debit cards. |
| bank charged me $8. During the same trip, I used my | | | | Carry both, and on longer trips you can wait until you're |
| debit card at an ATM to get $200 from my checking | | | | a few weeks from home to use the credit card. That |
| account. Once home, I saw that the charge for this | | | | way you'll get there before the bill does. |
| was one dollar, and that was the last time I used | | | | An important advantage credit and debit cards have |
| traveler's checks. | | | | over travelers checks, is that when you need the local |
| Debit And Credit Cards When Traveling | | | | currency, you'll almost always get a better exchange |
| I usually carry a debit card and a credit card when I | | | | rate with your cards. Also, the cash you get from the |
| travel now. I keep them well-hidden in two separate | | | | local ATM will truly be accepted everywhere, |
| places. If they are stolen, which has never happened | | | | something even American Express Travelers Checks |
| yet, they have either zero liability, or a fifty dollar liability | | | | can't promise. |
| limit for any unauthorized charges. Ask your bank or | | | | I have nothing against American Express. Once, when I |
| credit card company about this. | | | | was robbed in Mexico, they quickly and curtiously |
| When an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) won't take | | | | replaced my stolen traveler's checks. Also, at times it is |
| one of the cards for some reason - and this will | | | | appropriate to carry money in several forms, including |
| happen - I use the other card, which usually works fine. | | | | theirs. However, times change and ATMs are |
| Credit cards may be less trouble than debit cards. | | | | everywhere now, so my policy is : Travelers checks; |
| Your liability could be zero on your stolen debit card, | | | | don't leave home with them. You can take an |
| but you probably won't have access to your account | | | | American Express credit card instead. |