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Traveler’s Checks When Traveling Abroad — Useful or Outdated?

Christy Rodriguez

Travel & Finance Content Contributor

88 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 36 U.S. States Visited: 31

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

34 Published Articles 3169 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 47 U.S. States Visited: 28

What Are Traveler’s Checks?

Where to buy traveler’s checks, how to use traveler’s checks, what to do if traveler’s checks are stolen, 1. no access to credit or debit card, 2. limited access to atms, 3. access good exchange rates , 4. avoid common credit or debit fees, 5. as an added safety measure, 1. limited availability for use, 2. not all banks offer them, 3. potential for additional fees, 4. bulky paperwork, credit card, prepaid card, do your research, tell your bank you are traveling, don’t keep all of your money in 1 place, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

When traveling abroad, you might wonder how to pay for things once you arrive. Should you bring currency on your trip? Which currency should you bring? Can you get money once you arrive? How much cash should you carry at once?

Many of these questions can be answered by using traveler’s checks. Traveler’s checks might seem like an outdated choice, but they can still be useful in certain situations.

In this article, we’ll explain what traveler’s checks are, how they work, and when they might be worth the hassle. We’ll also explore other more common alternatives and give tips for obtaining foreign currency.

Traveler’s checks are documents that can be used like standard paper checks and cash. Travelers purchase them before they leave home to exchange for cash in the local currency when they arrive at their destination.

These checks are printed in varying denominations, and each check is uniquely numbered so that it can be replaced quickly if lost or stolen.

Banks, hotels, and merchants were once very used to accepting traveler’s checks. These places liked traveler’s checks because of the safeguards that were put in place. Basically, as long as the original signature matched the signature made at the time of the purchase, payment is guaranteed — eliminating any “bounced checks.”

Now, with the increased use of credit and debit cards (especially those with no foreign transaction fees ), prepaid cards, and ATMs on every corner, traveler’s checks have become less popular.

You may find it difficult to find banks or hotels that accept them , and if you do, you might be at the mercy of their business hours to cash them in.

How To Buy and Use Traveler’s Checks

You can still buy and use traveler’s checks in the U.S. and other countries.

You can find traveler’s checks offered by companies like American Express and Visa . You can also go to your local AAA office to purchase them.

The best place to purchase traveler’s checks is from your own bank, but unfortunately, many banks no longer offer traveler’s checks, including Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America.

If you’re not sure if your bank offers traveler’s checks, it’s worth contacting them to confirm. If you are a customer, banks typically waive any fees to obtain them and this can add up because other companies can add on a 1% to 3% fee on top of the base currency amount that you request.

In order to obtain a traveler’s check, you will need to:

• Either go in person to an eligible bank or visit the website of the traveler’s check issuer.
• Select the total amount of currency to purchase.
• Submit payment, including any fees.

Once you have the traveler’s checks, you need to know how to use them. Traveler’s checks work a bit differently than other forms of currency. Here are the steps you’ll need to take:

• Sign the checks immediately. Follow the issuer’s instructions to find out where to sign (and only sign once).
• Leave evidence of your traveler’s check purchase somewhere safe. If checks get lost or stolen, you’ll need to provide proof of purchase along with check numbers to get a refund. Leave those details with a friend or save them online for easy remote access.
• Complete the payee and date fields. Once you have confirmed that the payee or bank will accept traveler’s checks, fill out the payee and date fields.
• Sign the check again. You must complete this portion in-person to ensure that the signature matches the original. You may also need to show some sort of identification as well. This is key to keeping traveler’s checks secure.
• If checks get lost or stolen, contact the issuer immediately. You may be able to get replacement checks locally, and the issuer needs to know which checks to cancel.

Traveler’s checks don’t expire , so if you don’t use them you can either keep them for future use or deposit them into your bank account once you’re home.

If all of your cash is stolen while you’re traveling abroad, you’ll have next to no chance of getting it back.

However, if this happens with your traveler’s checks, you’ll likely get them replaced as long as you’ve complied with your check issuer’s purchase agreement . This is the primary benefit of traveling with traveler’s checks.

Bottom Line: Treat your traveler’s checks like cash. If you lose your checks, you may not get replacements if your check issuer has reason to believe you didn’t safeguard them appropriately.

Here’s what to do if your traveler’s checks are lost or stolen:

• Call the customer service phone number provided by your issuer or find it by accessing their website.
• Provide proof that the check is yours by submitting the check number, proof of purchase, and your identification. It’s important to have easy access to this information for this reason.
• If required by your issuer, provide evidence that you have reported your stolen check to the police.
• Be sure to return any other refund paperwork requested.

If you don’t comply, you could experience delays or even have your claim denied. After you’ve reported your missing check, your provider will void it and issue you a new check.

Some issuers even pledge to get replacement checks out to you within 24 hours !

Best Ways To Use Traveler’s Checks

The following are situations when you might consider using traveler’s checks:

If you don’t have a credit card or a debit card tied to your bank account, a traveler’s check could be a safe alternative to simply carrying lots of cash abroad.

This tip also applies if your particular credit or debit card isn’t accepted abroad. This is more likely to happen if your card is something other than a Visa or Mastercard , as those credit cards claim the widest global network.

In many places, you can easily get cash in the local currency at an ATM once you arrive. This wouldn’t be a problem in Europe, for example, but ATMs are rare in some parts of the world. In addition, ATMs can malfunction, networks can be down, and machines might even run out of cash.

Traveler’s checks allow you to get local currency at participating banks, hotels, and other foreign locations without regard for these potential problems.

Buying traveler’s checks can help you avoid bad exchange rates. If you decide to exchange currency once you arrive, you might not get the best conversion rates by doing this at the airport.

By purchasing traveler’s checks before you leave, you can lock in a set amount at the current exchange rate.

Read our guide for the best places to exchange currency .

If your credit or debit card charges a foreign transaction fee , you can be charged a fee every time you make a purchase with your card in a foreign country. If your card also charges ATM fees, these fees can add up quickly.

To avoid these fees, it might make sense to use traveler’s checks. Although there may be a fee involved when you purchase or cash a traveler’s check, it might still be less than other fees your credit or debit card may charge.

Hot Tip: If your card charges a foreign transaction fee, it will typically be 3% of each purchase you make.

If you’re traveling to a potentially unsafe region, traveler’s checks keep your money secure. Even if you’re in a relatively safe place, anyone who enters your room or has access to your bags could search for your money.

The main benefit of traveler’s checks is that they reduce your risk of theft or loss. Since they can’t be cashed without your signature and often require a photo ID, they are less appealing to thieves or pickpockets. They can also be easily replaced if you provide the issuer with the proper information.

Cons of Using Traveler’s Checks

Here are some reasons that might discourage you from using traveler’s checks:

In much of Europe and Asia, traveler’s checks are no longer widely accepted and cannot be easily cashed — even at the banks that issued them.

This means that cashing in traveler’s checks might require hunting down a bank branch or hotel that accepts them during business hours.

Bottom Line: Those relying solely on traveler’s checks may find that they are unable to cash them in many remote or rural locations.

Certain major banks, such as Bank of America, no longer offer traveler’s checks at all. This might mean ordering traveler’s checks online well in advance of your travel plans or having to find a new bank that offers them.

If a company does offer traveler’s checks, it typically charges fees for both buying and cashing in a traveler’s check. While some banks offer them for free if you are a customer, others charge between 1% to 3% of the total purchase amount.

Check the math for your own situation, but using traveler’s checks could actually cost more than using an ATM or credit card abroad.

Not only are traveler’s checks a hassle to carry, but most companies also require that you keep proof of purchase for the checks to verify the check numbers if they are lost or stolen.

Both of these just add up to keeping track of additional paperwork.

Other Alternatives

Obviously, traveler’s checks aren’t your only option when it comes to obtaining foreign currency. Here are some other options you should consider.

Cash is convenient and relatively easy to exchange. You can bring money from home into a foreign bank or currency exchange location almost anywhere in the world. It can be easily exchanged without the worry of multiple bank fees or ATM fees adding up.

Hot Tip: Be aware: if you exchange your money in tourist areas, you might be hit with a bad exchange rate.

On the downside, carrying paper money is a risk since it can’t be replaced if stolen.

A debit card can be used at an ATM to collect cash. While not all ATM machines (especially in more rural places) accept foreign debit cards, you will find that most do.

Depending on your bank, you might even have to pay both an out-of-network ATM and an international ATM fee for this convenience.

Hot Tip: An out-of-network ATM fee is typically between $2 to $3.50 per transaction in 2021 and a typical international ATM fee can range from $2 to $7 per transaction (plus a 3% conversion fee), depending on your bank and card.

Most restaurants and stores accept foreign debit cards, but carrying a form of backup currency is always wise . Additionally, foreign transaction fees can add up quickly if you are using your debit card frequently.

Like debit cards, credit cards are small and easy to carry. Mastercard, Visa, and more recently, American Express , are widely accepted in other countries, so you can rest easy knowing you will be able to complete your purchases. You can also limit fees by getting a credit card with no foreign transaction fees .

A credit card also comes with fraud protection. You can dispute fraudulent charges and get them removed from your account if reported timely.

Hot Tip: While you can use a credit card for ATM transactions, you will be hit with a cash advance fee . It’s best to avoid doing this, if possible.

If you have difficulty getting approved for a credit card , a prepaid card could be a good alternative. You simply load the card with money from your bank account and use it as a debit card at an ATM or as a credit card at merchants and hotels.

While prepaid cards are locked with a PIN number, they can sometimes be difficult to use at ATM machines. Additionally, fees for foreign currency transactions can be as high as 7% , depending on the card.

Hot Tip: Booking hotels, airfare, or activities online will require either a credit card, debit card, or prepaid card.

Money Tips for Traveling Abroad

Know which types of currency are accepted at your destination and how much of each type (if any) you should bring. Especially be aware of any cash you might need on arrival (to obtain a visa , exchange upon arrival, etc.) in case you can’t immediately locate an ATM or a currency exchange office.

Carry a mix of cash, cards, and maybe even traveler’s checks. Ideally, the cards you bring with you shouldn’t have foreign transaction fees or ATM fees . Having some variety also helps if one of your cards isn’t accepted or your cash is lost or stolen. 

Always be sure to let your bank and credit card issuers know where you’re going and when so that your card isn’t declined when you try to make a purchase due to unusual activity.

If you exchange money at your bank, you will likely also get a better exchange rate.

Keep some of your currency or an extra card locked in your hotel room’s safe or in a money belt . In the terrible instance that you lose your purse or wallet, you would still have immediate access to additional money.

We’ve shown that traveler’s checks aren’t necessarily the most convenient way to take currency abroad, but depending on if you have limited access to debit or credit cards or they aren’t accepted where you are traveling, it might be worth it to bring some along.

Overall, if you’ve decided that traveler’s checks can be of use to you, taking some, along with some cash and a debit, credit, or prepaid card, may just be the smartest way to travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you still buy traveler's checks.

While many larger banks are no longer offering traveler’s checks, they are still available at American Express and other smaller banks and credit unions. It is worth asking if your bank offers them and at what cost.

How much does it cost to buy traveler's checks?

While some banks offer them for free if you are a customer, others charge between 1% and 3% of the purchase amount.

What is the purpose of a traveler's check?

A traveler’s check offers a safer option than carrying around money. There are multiple safeguards in place to prevent fraud and if the checks are lost or stolen, they can be easily replaced.

Can you cash old traveler's checks?

Traveler’s checks do not expire. You can cash them in at any time — typically even at banks that don’t offer them for sale. This means you can go to your own bank and redeem your traveler’s checks.

To do this, date them, fill out the “Pay To” field (to your bank), and countersign in the presence of the cashier . Any unused value will be returned to you in cash.

Can I buy traveler's checks online?

American Express is the only large bank that offers traveler’s checks online. Its website offers a step-by-step process to order them.

You should check with your local bank or credit union to see if they might also offer this benefit.

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About Christy Rodriguez

After having “non-rev” privileges with Southwest Airlines, Christy dove into the world of points and miles so she could continue traveling for free. Her other passion is personal finance, and is a certified CPA.

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Traveller Checks: Alles, was Du über die einst so beliebten Reisechecks wissen musst

Ohne Traveller Checks ging jahrzehntelang nichts auf Auslandsreisen. Denn mit dem Reisescheck war es weltweit unkompliziert möglich, zu bezahlen oder an die Landeswährung zu kommen.

Die Travel Checks in Deutschland zu kaufen ist seit 2015 nicht mehr möglich . Wer noch alte Reise-Checks zu Hause hat, muss diese nicht wegwerfen. Im Gegenteil – die Gültigkeit besteht fort.

Wir verraten dir in diesem Beitrag, wie du alte Traveller Checks einlösen oder zurückgeben kannst, wo du noch an neue Reisechecks kommst und was es mit diesem bargeldlosen Zahlungsmittel überhaupt auf sich hat.

Traveller Checks: Das Wichtigste in Kürze

In der Vergangenheit zählten Traveller Checks zu den beliebtesten und sichersten Zahlungsmitteln für Reisende im Ausland, jedoch haben sie aufgrund von moderneren Zahlungsoptionen an Bedeutung verloren.

In Deutschland ist der Verkauf von Traveller Checks seit 2015 eingestellt , wodurch sie für Reisen aus Deutschland im Ausland erworben werden müssen.

Reiseschecks behalten ihren Wert und können weiterhin in verschiedenen Ländern eingelöst oder in Bargeld umgetauscht werden, beispielsweise in Deutschland bei der Reisebank.

Abgelaufene Reise-Schecks können bei den jeweiligen Anbietern, wie American Express oder Travelex für Thomas Cook Travelers Cheques, umgetauscht werden, wobei Umtauschgebühren anfallen.

Reiseschecks sind nicht übertragbar und können ausschließlich von der Person eingelöst oder umgetauscht werden, deren Unterschrift auf dem Scheck verzeichnet ist.

Bei der Nutzung des Travellerschecks wird im Beisein des Zahlungsempfängers unterschrieben und ein gültiger Ausweis vorgezeigt.

Im Falle von Verlust oder Diebstahl ist eine schnelle Meldung an die ausstellende Institution notwendig, um Ersatz zu erhalten.

Was sind Traveller Checks?

American Express Travelers Cheque (Bild: americanexpress.com)

Traveller Checks , häufig auch als Reiseschecks oder Traveller Cheques bezeichnet, sind eine unkomplizierte Möglichkeit, auf Reisen stets an Bargeld zu kommen.

Die Schecks werden im Heimatland vor der Urlaubsreise oder Geschäftsreise erworben. An der Annahmestelle erfolgt der Umtausch in Landeswährung.

Viele Geschäfte haben zudem eine Akzeptanzstelle eingerichtet, um die Bezahlung von Waren direkt mit dem Reisecheck zu ermöglichen. Das Wechselgeld wird in der Landeswährung herausgegeben.

Die Gültigkeit von Travellerschecks ist unbegrenzt. Außerdem sind Checks ein sehr sicheres Zahlungsmittel, da sie bei Diebstahl oder Verlust innerhalb von wenigen Stunden ersetzt werden können .

Bis zum Siegeszug der Kreditkarte waren die Traveler Cheques das sicherste und flexibelste Zahlungsmittel auf Reisen.

Heute stellen sie ein Auslaufmodell dar, denn die Kreditkarte sowie digitale Bezahlmethoden sind direkt an das Girokonto oder das Gemeinschaftskonto eines Reisenden geknüpft, sodass der Schritt der Beantragung der Reiseschecks entfällt.

Einige Reisende schwören noch immer auf die Schecks als den berühmten Notgroschen – in Deutschland werden sie allerdings seit 2015 nicht mehr ausgegeben.

Vorteile und Nachteile der Travel Checks

Relikt aus vergangenen Zeiten oder immer noch praktisch? Wir haben uns einmal genau die Vorteile und Nachteile der Reiseschecks angesehen.

Traveller Cheques haben eine unbegrenzte Laufzeit . Hast du noch welche übrig, können die immer noch eingelöst werden

bei Verlust steht der Ersatz innerhalb von 48 Stunden zur Verfügung

können je nach Land direkt zur Bezahlung genutzt werden. In den USA ist das beispielsweise möglich

eine Prüfung der Bonität findet nicht statt

der Inhaber des Reiseschecks muss keine persönlichen Daten angeben. Das wäre beispielsweise bei einer Zahlung mit Kreditkarte der Fall. Die Unterschrift reicht völlig aus

Reiseschecks gelten als sehr kursbeständig

keine Möglichkeit , Traveller Cheques in Deutschland zu erwerben oder zu bestellen

immer weniger Akzeptanzstellen auf der Welt

Reiseschecks werden gekauft. Das bedeutet, sie müssen direkt bezahlt werden – bei einer Kreditkarte erfolgt erst beim Einsatz die Abbuchung vom Konto oder später mit der Kartenabrechnung

beim Kauf und Einlösen von Travellerschecks werden Gebühren erhoben

die Ausstellung von Ersatz Travel Checks ist ebenfalls kostenpflichtig

Wie sicher sind Reisechecks?

So mancher hat nur widerwillig von den Reiseschecks Abschied genommen. Denn das System hatte sich bei Verlust oder Diebstahl bewährt. Innerhalb von 24 bis 48 Stunden wurde ein Ersatz ausgestellt, das Geld war daher nicht verloren.

Der Dieb oder Betrüger hält ein für ihn wertloses Papier in den Händen. Denn der Traveller Check kann erst dann eingelöst werden, wenn die Unterschrift auf dem Reise-Scheck mit der an der Annahmestelle übereinstimmt. Zusätzlich wird als Sicherheit noch der Reisepass oder auch Personalausweis verlangt.

Hast du noch alte Traveller Schecks, musst du den Verlust sofort melden, den Scheck sperren lassen und direkt den Ersatzcheck beantragen. Der ersetzter Traveller Cheque kostet allerdings Gebühren.

Unter dem Strich deutlich sicherer als Bargeld und auch weniger riskant als Plastikgeld oder eine App, bei der du immer an Datenklau denken musst.

Tipp : Damit du ganz auf der sicheren Seite bist, musst du die Quittung, die du beim Kauf der Traveller Checks erhalten hast, gut und getrennt von den Checks aufbewahren. Darauf sind die Seriennummern vermerkt, auf die es bei einer Verlustmeldung ankommt.

Gibt es noch Reiseschecks?

Du spielst mit dem Gedanken, einen Reise Check vor dem Urlaub zu kaufen?

Dann hast du in Deutschland schlechte Karten. Denn seit 2015 geht hier nichts mehr. Im Jahr 2021 hat American Express als letzter Anbieter die Ausgabe in der Bundesrepublik eingestellt.

Heute hast du allerdings noch in den USA in einigen Serviceagenturen von AMEX die Möglichkeit, Traveller Cheques zu erwerben. Weltweit gibt es zudem Akzeptanzstellen für die Reiseschecks, die einen Umtausch in Bargeld anbietet.

Auch kannst du immer noch bei Händlern damit bezahlen. Aber längst nicht mehr überall.

Je nach Zielland gibt es verschiedene Institutionen, an denen du die Reiseschecks im Ausland noch kaufen kannst. Das sind:

Wechselstuben

Agenturen von AMEX

Reiseagenturen

Hinweis : Reiseschecks sind längst nicht mehr so verbreitet wie sie es einst einmal waren. Mache dich daher vor deinem Urlaub exakt mit der Situation im Zielland vertraut. Es nutzt dir nichts, wenn du tagelang nach einer Ausgabestelle für einen Traveler Check suchst und dann zig Kilometer fährst, um den Check an den Mann zu bringen.

Wieso gibt es die Traveler Checks nicht mehr?

Früher konntest du dir vor deinem Urlaub schnell Reiseschecks bei Banken, Sparkassen, Volksbanken, in der Wechselstube am Bahnhof oder Flughafen sowie Agenturen von American Express und Thomas Cook kaufen. Als Verkaufsgebühr musstest du 1 % des Nennwertes, heute umgerechnet mindestens 6 €, bezahlen.

Kein günstiges Vergnügen, aber die Sicherheit ging vor. Die nicht übertragbaren Schecks wurden beim Kauf mit deiner Unterschrift versehen. Du hast eine Quittung bekommen, auf der die Anzahl und die Seriennummern der Reiseschecks vermerkt waren. Diese solltest du für den Fall eines Verlustes oder Diebstahls getrennt von den Travelers Cheques aufbewahren. Nur so war es möglich, innerhalb von 24 bis 48 Stunden Ersatz zu erhalten.

Beim Ankauf, Einlösen oder bei Verlust wurden und werden zusätzliche Gebühren erhoben. Das macht – gerade in Zeiten digitaler Zahlungsmethoden – den Reisescheck zu einem teuren Relikt aus der Vergangenheit. Thomas Cook hat die Ausgabe bereits 2009 für Deutschland beendet, AMEX zog 2015 nach.

Die Postbank hat in einer Umfrage herausgefunden, dass sich weniger als 1 % der deutschen Urlauber überhaupt noch für Travellers Cheques interessieren. Moderne und günstigere Bezahlmethoden für das Ausland wie die Kreditkarte, die es oft gratis zum Bankkonto gibt, haben den Travel Checks zum Auslaufmodell werden lassen.

Vergleichst du das heute mit der schnellen Zahlung mit Karte oder App, ist die Prozedur der Reiseschecks zwar sicher, aber sehr umständlich. Du musstest die Travellerchecks bestellen, unterschreiben, bezahlen, im Ausland zur Akzeptanzstelle bringen, wieder unterschreiben, dich identifizieren und wieder eine Gebühr bezahlen.

Tipp : Hast du noch alte Traveler Cheques, kannst du die in vielen Ländern noch als sicheres Ersatzzahlungsmittel verwenden als Ergänzung zu deiner Kreditkarte. Das Geld ist daher nicht verloren.

Was mit alten Traveller Checks tun?

Laut einer Erhebung der Reisebank haben rund acht Millionen Deutsche Reiseschecks zu Hause. Geschätzter Wert: 6,3 Milliarden Euro.

Die gute Nachricht zuerst: Traveller Checks verfallen nie. Wer die Schecks jedoch in Bares umwandeln will, hat zwei Möglichkeiten: einlösen oder umtauschen .

Gute Chancen, alte Reiseschecks loszuwerden, bestehen noch in den USA, in einigen Ländern Asiens, in Südamerika und in Teilen von Afrika.

Wichtig : Informiere dich vor Abreise unbedingt genau, wie es um die Akzeptanz in deinem Urlaubsort bestellt ist und wo sich Annahmestellen befinden.

An einigen Orten kannst du damit noch in Geschäften, Restaurants oder Hotels bar bezahlen. Wechselgeld gibt es in Landeswährung. Oder du tauschst die Travellers Cheques in einer Wechselstuben gegen Bargeld um.

Einlösen kannst du den Reisescheck nur dann, wenn er deine Unterschrift trägt. Denn während des Vorgangs unterschreibst du noch einmal und die Unterschriften werden mit der in deinem Ausweis abgeglichen.

Im Inland konntest du deine Reiseschecks bei verschiedenen Banken eintauschen, aber auch diese Möglichkeit ist seit 2018 weggefallen. Bessere Chancen hast du in einer Filiale der Reisebank . Dort werden die Reiseschecks gegen eine Gebühr von 2 % des Nennwertes, mindestens aber 10 €, angenommen.

Ein Verfalldatum für die Schecks gibt es nicht. Im Ausland musst du dich an Verkaufsstellen oder Akzeptanzstellen erkundigen, ob und zu welchen Konditionen die Rücknahme möglich ist. Rechne mit Gebühren.

Alte Reiseschecks von Thomas Cook löst du via den britischen Anbieter Travelex ein. Pro Scheck musst du mit 5 % des Scheckwertes an Kosten, mindestens jedoch 7 britischen Pfund, rechnen. Nach Antragstellung wird der Betrag auf dein Konto überwiesen.

Traveller Checks zurückgeben: So funktioniert's

Die Travellerchecks zurückgeben kannst du in Deutschland am besten in den Filialen der Reisebank gegen eine Gebühr von 2 % des Nennwertes oder mindestens 10 €.

Für American Express Traveler Cheques wendest du dich an den Kundenservice, es ist auch ein postalischer Umtausch möglich, der allerdings mindestens 30 Tage dauert. Thomas Cook Reiseschecks werden von dem britischen Unternehmen Travelex ebenfalls auf dem Postweg umgetauscht. Rechne bei den beiden Anbietern mit Gebühren.

Ansonsten kannst du die Travel Checks auch auf Auslandsreisen an Akzeptanzstellen einlösen oder zur Bezahlung im Geschäft nutzen. Dabei werden ebenfalls Servicegebühren erhoben.

Traveller Schecks einlösen: So gehst du vor

Traveller Schecks einlösen in Deutschland kann zur Glückssache werden. Denn weltweit nehmen die Akzeptanzstellen ab.

Diese Möglichkeiten hast du:

Einlösen in einer Akzeptanzstelle : In dem jeweiligen Reiseland suchst du dir einen Anbieter aus, an dem du die Traveller Checks gegen Bargeld eintauschen kannst. Das sind meist Wechselstuben, Banken, die Post oder auch Reiseagenturen. Du musst die Traveller Cheques dort vor den Augen des Angestellten noch einmal unterschreiben und deinen Reisepass vorlegen.

Bezahlen : In einigen Ländern ist es möglich, die Reiseschecks als Bargeldalternative zu nutzen. Früher war das häufig in Hotels oder Restaurants eine gern gesehene Bargeldmethode. Sofern es Rückgeld gibt, bekommst du das in Landeswährung.

Am richtigen Ort sein : Es gibt immer weniger Akzeptanzstellen für Traveller Schecks. Je nachdem, wo du gerade unterwegs bist, kann es schwierig sein, den Travelers Check einzulösen. Unseren Recherchen nach hast du in den USA, in vielen Teilen Asiens, Afrikas und in Südamerika aktuell die besten Chancen. Nicht unbedingt zum Bezahlen, aber zum Eintauschen gegen Bargeld.

Tipp : Nutze die Einlösestellen-Suche von American Express , um Akzeptanzstellen zu finden. Einlösen kannst du AMEX Traveller Checks auch bei der Reisebank .

Dein Onkel hat dir seine alten Traveler Checks geschenkt? Leider keine gute Idee. Denn die Reiseschecks sind personengebunden und somit nicht übertragbar . Es gibt zwar Modelle, auf denen zwei Unterschriften vorgesehen sind, aber beim Einlösen muss mindestens einer der Unterzeichner sich vor Ort noch einmal mit Unterschrift und Ausweis verifizieren.

Achtung : Reiseschecks als Geschenk oder als Schnäppchen im Internet bringen dir gar nichts – denn das Einlösen ist nur vom Unterzeichner möglich!

Traveller Checks kaufen: Lohnt es sich, die Reisechecks noch zu bestellen?

Reiseschecks kaufen – je nachdem, wohin dich deine Reise führt, könnte das noch eine Option sein.

In Deutschland kannst du heute keine Traveller Cheques mehr bestellen . Das müsstest du dann vor Ort in deinem Zielland – beispielsweise in einer Agentur.

Der Traveler Check ist ein Zahlungsinstrument für alle, die Wert auf maximale Sicherheit legen. Denn mit Traveller Schecks in der Tasche kommst du weder in Gefahr, dass dir Bargeld gestohlen wird noch musst du Angst vor Datenklau wie beim Zahlen mit der Kreditkarte haben. Du kaufst den Scheck gegen eine Gebühr zu deinem Wunschbetrag. Danach bekommst du eine Quittung und die Seriennummer.

Auch beim Einlösen geht Sicherheit vor. Schließlich ist auf den Travellerschecks deine Unterschrift vorhanden und diese wird an der Annahmestelle von dem Angestellten abgeglichen. Gehen Traveler Checks doch einmal verloren, ist der Ersatz schneller als bei einer Kreditkarte – allerdings musst du dir die Seriennummer im Notfall parat haben.

Beachten solltest du auch, dass Travellers Cheques jede Menge Gebühren verursachen können – wie hoch die sind, hängt von verschiedenen Faktoren ab. Im Vergleich dazu ist eine Kreditkarte deutlich praktischer.

Viele Direktbanken bieten dir Prepaid-Kreditkarten mit einem weltweit kostenlosen Bargeldbezug an und eventuelle Fremdwährungsgebühren sind ebenfalls günstiger als die Kosten rund um die Traveler Checks. Vom Aufwand einmal ganz abgesehen, den du hast, wenn du Reiseschecks kaufen möchtest.

Reisechecks Anbieter: Wer gibt die Travel Checks heraus?

Während jede Bank ihre Euroschecks herausgeben konnte, sah das bei den Reiseschecks anders aus. Hier erfährst du, welche Unternehmen die Travelers Cheques einst ausgestellt hat und wer noch heute in diesem Bereich tätig ist.

1. American Express Reiseschecks

American Express (AMEX) unterstützt immer noch die Reiseschecks.

Den Verkauf hat das Unternehmen in Deutschland zwar 2015 schon eingestellt, doch du kannst immer noch die Travelers Cheques einlösen oder die Reisechecks zurücktauschen.

Traveller Cheques von American Express verlieren nie ihre Gültigkeit. Hast du noch alte Travellerchecks zu Hause, kannst du die zukünftig auch im Urlaub oder auf der Geschäftsreise verwenden.

Möchtest du die American Express Traveller Cheques zurückgeben, hast du die folgenden Möglichkeiten:

AMEX Travelers Cheques bei der Bank einzahlen : Einige Banken im Ausland bieten die Möglichkeit, diese Reiseschecks einem Konto gutzuschreiben. Das geht auch, wenn der Reisescheck in einer Fremdwährung ausgestellt ist. Es können Gebühren für die Transaktion sowie Wechselgebühren anfallen.

AMEX Travel Checks gegen Bargeld wechseln : Die Checks werden weltweit an zahlreichen Standorten (zur AMEX-Standortsuche ) akzeptiert und in Bargeld umgetauscht. Beachte, dass dabei Wechselgebühren anfallen können. AMEX empfiehlt, dass du dich vorher mit dem jeweiligen Anbieter in Verbindung setzt, um genaue Informationen über Gebühren und Verfügbarkeiten zu erhalten.

Reisechecks direkt bei AMEX einlösen : Du kannst telefonisch eine Einlösung bei American Express anmelden. Im Inland ist das die Nummer 0800-101-2362.

Wichtig : Willst du die Travelers Cheques von AMEX telefonisch direkt einlösen lassen, kann der Vorgang bis zu 30 Tagen dauern.

Hinweis : Bis November 2009 wurden die Swiss Bankers Travelers Cheques ausgestellt – unter der Lizenz von American Express . Aufgrund der Beliebtheit von Kreditkarten und der Travel-Cash-Karte der Swiss Bankers werden heute keine Reiseschecks mehr ausgestellt. Du kannst alte Schweizer Reisechecks an bestimmten Akzeptanzstellen noch einlösen oder in Bares umtauschen. Allerdings fallen im Verhältnis sehr hohe Gebühren an.

2. Reiseschecks Sparkasse

Früher war es möglich, einfach am Schalter der Sparkasse Reiseschecks vor dem Urlaub zu erhalten.

Ausgestellt werden konnten die Traveller Checks in allen möglichen Währungen – vom US-Dollar über japanische Yen bis hin zum saudischen Rial.

Anbieter sind seit einigen Jahren auf dem deutschen Markt nicht mehr präsent, weshalb auch die Sparkasse keine Travellerschecks mehr ausstellt.

Fragt sich, was Kunden tun sollen, die Traveller Checks zurückgeben möchten. 2018 gab es von American Express , dem Lizenzgeber, neue regulatorische Anforderungen. Seitdem ist eine Rücknahme und Kontogutschrift der Reiseschecks bei den Sparkassen nicht mehr möglich.

3. Traveller Checks Postbank

Schon 2009 gab es mit dem Umtausch von Traveller Checks bei der Postbank Ärger. Denn die hatte damals damit geworben, die nicht mehr benötigten Reiseschecks dem Konto gutzuschreiben.

Die Kunden staunten nicht schlecht, als sie für diesen Service rund 10 % Gebühren bezahlen mussten. Daraufhin riet die Postbank den Kunden, die Schecks doch lieber für das nächste Reiseziel aufzubewahren.

Heute hat sich die Postbank aus dem Umtausch der Reise-Schecks komplett zurückgezogen.

4. Thomas Cook Reiseschecks

Thomas Cook hat die Ausgabe von Reiseschecks 2008 beendet . Das Unternehmen ging 2019 in Insolvenz.

Hast du noch Thomas Cook Traveller Cheques , können die immer noch umgetauscht werden. Das übernimmt das britische Unternehmen Travelex .

So gehst du vor, wenn du einen Thomas Cook Reisescheck umtauschen willst:

Lade dir das Umtauschformular herunter: https://www.travelex.co.uk/media/6043/encashment-form-newv6.pdf

Bei Fragen, oder wenn du das Formular auf Deutsch möchtest, kontaktierst du Travelex unter der E-Mail-Adresse [email protected]

Das Formular sendest du unterschrieben an das Büro in Peterborough.

Wenn du in England bist, kannst du in jeder Filiale von Travelex die alten Schecks umtauschen. In den USA ist das ebenfalls in ausgewählten Niederlassungen noch möglich. Nutze diesen Finder für eine Filiale in deiner Nähe.

Hast du den Thomas Cook Travel Check verloren oder wurde er dir gestohlen, setze dich bitte mit der E-Mail-Adresse [email protected] in Verbindung. Schildere in dem Schreiben die genauen Umstände des Verlustes.

Wichtig : Beim Umtausch wird der tagesaktuelle Wechselkurs angewendet.

5. Traveller Checks Volksbank

Volksbanken und Raiffeisenbanken waren grundsätzlich bereit, alte Traveller Checks umzutauschen und deinem Konto gutzuschreiben.

Ob das in deiner Filiale noch möglich ist? Unserer Recherche nach seit 2018 nicht mehr.

Die Volksbanken bieten aber an, Fremdwährung bequem im Online-Banking vorzubestellen.

Exkurs: Die Geschichte der Reiseschecks

Im Jahr 1874 wurden das erste Mal Umlaufnoten ausgegeben. Diese auf Englisch auch als Circular Notes bezeichneten Schriftstücke des Reiseunternehmens Thomas Cook gelten als die Vorläufer der Reiseschecks. Die eigentlichen Travellerchecks wurden 1891 von American Express patentiert.

Vorausgegangen war die Europareise eines Angestellten, der im ländlichen Raum keinerlei Möglichkeiten hatte, Bargeld eintauschen zu können. Somit war ein Modell geboren, das über Jahrzehnte Menschen ein flexibles Reisezahlungsmittel garantierte, das gleichzeitig sicher war. Denn so war es immer möglich, im Urlaubsland an die jeweilige Landeswährung zu kommen.

Seit 1957 konnten die Traveller Cheques auch in der Bundesrepublik erworben werden. Gerade, wer in als unsicher geltende Länder reiste, machte gerne Gebrauch von den Travellerchecks. Denn integriert ist eine Versicherung gegen Diebstahl und Verlust. Je nach Anbieter erhalten Urlauber innerhalb von 24 bis 48 Stunden Ersatz. Traveler Cheques wurden in verschiedenen Währungen ausgestellt.

Als 1969 in Europa der Euroscheck eingeführt wurde, kam ein starkes Konkurrenzprodukt auf den Markt. Denn während die Travellerschecks in einer bestimmten Summe vorab beantragt werden mussten, gestaltete sich die Handhabung der Euroschecks deutlich komfortabler für die Kunden.

EC-Karten und später die Kreditkarten führten zu einem kontinuierlichen Umsatzrückgang bei den Reiseschecks. Wer sich für eine Direktbank und somit ausschließlich Online-Banking entscheidet, erhält häufig zum Privatkonto oder zum Geschäftskonto eine gratis Kreditkarte zum Aufladen. Viele Anbieter ermöglichen damit weltweit kostenlosen Bargeldbezug.

Immer mehr Anbieter stellten daher die Ausgabe von Traveller’s Cheques ein – der letzte war American Express , der seit 2015 keine Traveler Cheques mehr in der BRD ausgibt. In der Vergangenheit ausgestellte Traveller’s Cheques bleiben jedoch weiter gültig.

Gut zu wissen : Auch die DDR hatte ihre eigenen Reiseschecks. Diese wurden von 1978 bis 1990 von der Staatsbank der DDR ausgegeben. Diese Schecks konnten allerdings nur in den sozialistischen RGW-Staaten für den Währungsumtausch genutzt werden. Heute sind die DDR-Reiseschecks beliebte Sammlerobjekte.

Travellers Cheques – viele erinnern sich noch daran und rund acht Millionen Deutsche haben noch welche zu Hause in der Schublade. Das zeigt, wie beliebt das Zahlungsmittel einst war.

Seit 2015 kannst du keine Reiseschecks in Deutschland mehr kaufen, aber die alten verlieren nicht ihre Gültigkeit. Du kannst sie einlösen im Ausland oder auch bei den Anbietern eine Gutschrift veranlassen. Somit hast du im Urlaubsland ein sicheres Zweitzahlungsmittel neben deiner Kreditkarte zur Verfügung.

Langfristig umsteigen solltest du jedoch auf ein Girokonto mit Kreditkarte und weiteren digitalen Bezahlmethoden – damit bist du rund um den Globus immer gut mit Bargeld versorgt und kannst überall bezahlen.

Traveller Checks sind ein bargeldloses Zahlungsmittel, das bis 2015 auch in Deutschland verkauft wurde. Eingelöst und erworben werden können die Reiseschecks jedoch noch in einigen Ländern auf der Welt.

Travellerschecks werden zu einem vorab bestimmten Gegenwert an der Ausgabestelle erworben und vom Besitzer unterschrieben. Dafür fällt eine Gebühr an. An der Akzeptanzstelle muss der Reisescheck erneut unterschrieben werden unter Vorlage des Ausweises. Es wird eine weitere Gebühr berechnet.

Beim Ankauf von Reiseschecks wird eine kleine Gebühr berechnet, die sich nach der Höhe des Betrages richtet. Wenn der Travelers Check eingelöst wird, fällt abermals eine Transaktionsgebühr an. Außerdem sind Fremdwährungsgebühren zu beachten.

In der Bundesrepublik werden seit 2015 keine Reiseschecks mehr verkauft. Eine Möglichkeit besteht jedoch noch im Ausland. So können Reisende in den USA noch an einigen Verkaufsstellen von  American Express  Travellerschecks beziehen. Durch den Siegeszug der Kreditkarte bietet aber längst nicht mehr jede Agentur die Reisechecks an.

Reiseschecks verlieren niemals ihre Gültigkeit. Hast du noch alte Reisechecks zu Hause, kannst du die noch einlösen oder umtauschen lassen.

Einige Hotels, Händler oder Restaurants im Ausland akzeptieren die Reiseschecks noch als Zahlungsmittel. Meist werden die Travelers Cheques jedoch in Banken oder Wechselstuben in Bargeld in der jeweiligen Landeswährung umgetauscht.

Durch Unterschriften, Seriennummern und Identifikation mit Ausweis plus Versicherung gegen Verlust und Diebstahl gelten die Travel Checks als eines der sichersten Zahlungsmittel überhaupt.

Reiseschecks sind an den Käufer gebunden. Der muss beim Ankauf unterschreiben und später wieder, wenn der Traveller Scheck eingelöst wird. Außerdem ist eine Identifikation mit dem Personalausweis erforderlich. Manche Schecks zeigen zwei Unterschriften. Doch auch diese Exemplare können nur von den Personen, die signiert haben, eingelöst werden. Die Schecks können daher nicht von Dritten genutzt werden.

Bis 2015 haben viele Banken die Reiseschecks nicht nur verkauft, sondern auch umgetauscht. Das ist nicht mehr möglich. Kunden in in der BRD können bei der  Reisebank  einen Umtausch erhalten. Daneben können die Travellerschecks bei  American Express  postalisch umgetauscht werden. Schecks von  Thomas Cook  können via das britische Unternehmen  Travelex  zurückgetauscht werden.

Reiseschecks gelten zwar als sehr sicher, doch aufgrund der abnehmenden Akzeptanz sollte sich auf dieses Zahlungsmittel alleine nicht mehr verlassen werden. Wir empfehlen auf Reisen einen Mix aus Bargeld und Kreditkarte – am besten eine, mit der weltweit kostenlos Bargeld abgehoben werden kann. Noch vorhandene Travellerchecks können parallel dazu am Urlaubsort eingelöst werden.

Traveller Checks  – welche Erfahrungen hast du damit gemacht? Hast du noch welche Zuhause? Vermisst du dieses Zahlungsmittel? Wann und wo hast du Reiseschecks das letzte Mal benutzt? Teile deine Erfahrungen mit uns im Kommentarbereich! Wir freuen uns!

Als ich selbst ein neues Girokonto gesucht habe, wurde mir bewusst, wie unübersichtlich der Markt ist. Mit KontoGuru.de biete ich jedem eine Anlaufstelle, der sich über Bankprodukte informieren möchte. Reviews, Vergleiche und Ratgeber erstelle ich gemeinsam mit meinem Team. Unsere aktuellen Artikel geben einen Überblick über die Produkte von Filialbanken, Direktbanken und Fintechs. Eine Leidenschaft für Banking-Themen hatte ich schon immer und konnte im Wirtschaftsstudium tief in die Finanzwelt eintauchen.

1. Februar 2024

26. Februar 2024

Was passiert nach einer Namensänderung durch Heirat, wenn die Reiseschecks noch mit dem Geburtsnamen unterschrieben sind?

danke für deinen Kommentar.

Für jede Transaktion, die mit den Reiseschecks erfolgt, muss der Personalausweis oder Reisepass bereitgehalten werden.

Die Reiseschecks werden nach einer Namensänderung in der Regel nicht mehr akzeptiert. In den AGB sollte ein Absatz mit dem Hinweis zu lesen sein, dass die Unterschrift im Reisescheck mit dem des Ausweises übereinstimmen muss.

Wir empfehlen dir, dich an eine Wechselstube oder an den Händler zu wenden, bei dem die Reiseschecks erworben wurden. Dort wirst du genauere Informationen bekommen.

Um sicherzugehen, dass die Traveller Checks nach einer Namensänderung nicht ungültig werden, empfiehlt es sich, diese vor der Hochzeit zurückzugeben. Alte Schecks können nämlich in Bargeld umgetauscht werden.

Das ist so oder so von Vorteil, weil immer weniger Hotels, Restaurants und Co die Traveller Checks akzeptieren. Zudem kennen einige Mitarbeiter in Hotels und Banken die Bezahlmethode in Form von Reiseschecks nicht und weigern sich aus Unwissenheit, sie einzulösen.

Die Traveller Checks lassen sich in jeder Wechselstube und Verkaufsstelle zurückgeben. Manche Ausgabestellen verlangen dafür eine kleine Kommissionsgebühr.

Herzliche Grüße, Alessia von KontoGuru

Ich glaube auch, dass noch Millionen in Euros von solchen Schecks noch rumliegen. Ich hatte die auch und war zu bequem, die umzutauschen, weil sich keien dt. Bank für Thomas Cook Traveller Cheques zuständig fühlt. 1/2020 das Projekt Umtausch endlich gestartet. Bis ich erst mal alle Infos zusamnen hatte. 🙁 Ihr habt das hier super zusammengefasst.  Zuerst war ich bei der Deutsche Bank, die die mir verkauft hatten, die wollten gar nix davon wissen udn gaben mir den Rat die nutzlosen Schecks im wert von 450$ wegzuschmeißen (O-Ton) 😠. zu Thomas Cook Traveller Cheques : Die Schecks werden zum Tageskurs in Euro ausgezahlt, abzüglich einer Gebühr in Höhe von damals 7,5 %. Werden erst von US$ zu Pfund dann zu Euro ausgezahlt, da entstehen zusätzliche Verluste + eigene Portokosten. Im Flughafen von Frankfurt und Hannover hat die Bank Traveellex eine Geschäftsstelle, ist aber auch nicht günstiger, als der Postweg. Erstmal eine Email mit den schecknumemrn schicken, damit dort geprüft werden kann ob das deren Schecks überhaupt sind.

Hallo Astrid,

vielen Dank für deinen ausführlichen Erfahrungsbericht, der sicher für viele Kunden, die noch Traveller Cheques von Thomas Cook bei sich zu Hause in der Schublade liegen haben, interessant ist.

Wir können bei der Aussage der Deutschen Bank nur mit dem Kopf schütteln. 450 $ sind viel Geld. Vermutlich hat der dortige Bankmitarbeiter noch nie mit Traveller Cheques zu tun gehabt und meinte aus Unwissenheit, dass sie keinen Wert hätten.

Leider passiert es auch immer wieder, dass Inhaber und Mitarbeiter von Geschäften, Restaurants und Hotels die Traveller Cheques nicht kennen. Zudem werden sie im Gegensatz zu früher kaum noch akzeptiert.

Gott sei Dank hast du nicht auf den Bankmitarbeiter gehört, sondern dich anderweitig darum bemüht, die Traveller Cheques in Bargeld umzutauschen.

Die Umtauschgebühr von 7,5 % ist zusammen mit den Wechselkursgebühren und Portokosten ganz schön happig. Dennoch lohnt es sich noch immer, die Reiseschecks umzutauschen, als sie wegzuschmeißen oder sie weitere Jahre unbenutzt zu Hause liegenzulassen.

Wir vermuten, dass die Gebühren in den kommenden Jahren weiter steigen werden, weil die Reiseschecks immer mehr an Akzeptanz verlieren. Darum empfehlen wir sie besser jetzt einzutauschen und nicht allzu viel Zeit vergehen zu lassen.

Unter diesem Link können Kunden mehr Informationen zu Travelex und den Umtausch der Traveller Cheques von Thomas Cook zu erhalten: https://www.travelex.co.uk/services/travellers-cheques

Auf der Website findet sich auch ein Einlöseformular, welches ausgefüllt und zusammen mit den Traveller Cheques an Travelex gesendet werden kann. Es empfiehlt sich, den versicherten Postversand zu wählen, um sicherzugehen, dass der Brief auch ankommt.

Hallo, was ist die richtige Vorgehensweise, wenn derjenige, der die checks unterschrieben hat verstorben ist.

Hallo Thomas,

vielen Dank für deinen Kommentar. Aber zuerst: Handelt es sich bei dem Verstorbenen um eine dir nahestehende Person, möchte ich dir mein ausdrückliches Beileid aussprechen.

Doch, zu deiner interessanten Frage:

Traveller Checks können nur von der Person eingelöst werden, die sie auch unterschrieben hat. Sie werden für ihren eigentlichen Einsatz somit wertlos. Ihren tatsächlichen Gegenwert verlieren Checks allerdings nicht. Hinterbliebenen bleibt nur die Möglichkeit, sich an den Telefonsupport von AMEX oder Travelex zu wenden und eine Rückerstattung zu beantragen:

• AMEX Hotline: 0800-101-2362
• Travelex Hotline: 069-348-73870

Welche Möglichkeiten bestehen und welche Unterlagen Angehörige zusätzlich benötigen (etwa die Quittung mit den vermerkten Seriennummern, Sterbeurkunde oder Erbschein), kann dann mit dem Support-Mitarbeiter geklärt werden.

Ich hoffe, ich konnte dir damit etwas weiterhelfen und wünsche dir alles Gute. Für weitere Fragen stehen mein Redaktionsteam und ich dir jederzeit zur Verfügung.

Herzliche Grüße Dein Team von KontoGuru.de

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What Is a Traveler’s Check?

• How It Works
• Where to Get Traveler's Checks
• Where to Cash Traveler's Checks
• Pros and Cons
• Alternatives to Traveler's Checks

The Bottom Line

• Personal Finance

Traveler's Check: What It Is, How It's Used, Where to Buy

Julia Kagan is a financial/consumer journalist and former senior editor, personal finance, of Investopedia.

Investopedia / Eliana Rodgers

A traveler’s check (sometimes spelled "cheque") is a once-popular but now largely outmoded medium of exchange utilized as an alternative to hard currency and intended to aid tourists. The product is typically used by people on vacation in foreign countries. It offers a safe way to travel overseas without the risks associated with losing cash. The issuing party, usually a bank, provides security against lost or stolen checks.

Beginning in the late 1980s, traveler’s checks have increasingly been supplanted by credit cards and prepaid debit cards.

Key Takeaways

• Traveler’s checks are a form of payment issued by financial institutions such as American Express.
• These paper cheques are generally used by people when traveling to foreign countries.
• They are purchased for set amounts and can be used to buy goods or services or be exchanged for cash.
• If your traveler's check is lost or stolen it can readily be replaced.
• Once widely used, traveler’s checks have largely been supplanted today by prepaid debit cards and credit cards.

How Traveler’s Checks Work

A traveler’s check is for a prepaid fixed amount and operates like cash, so a purchaser can use it to buy goods or services when traveling. A customer can also exchange a traveler’s check for cash. Major financial service institutions issue traveler’s checks, and banks and credit unions sell them, though their ranks have significantly dwindled today.

A traveler’s check is similar to a regular check because it has a unique check number or serial number. When a customer reports a check stolen or lost, the issuing company cancels that check and provides a new one. 

They come in several fixed denominations in a variety of currencies, making them a safeguard in countries with fluctuating exchange rates , and they do not have an expiration date. They are not linked to a customer’s bank account or line of credit and do not contain personally identifiable information, therefore eliminating the risk of identity theft. They operate via a dual signature system. You sign them when you purchase them, and then you sign them again when you cash them, which is designed to prevent anyone other than the purchaser from using them.

Many banks, hotels, and retailers used to accept them as cash, although some banks charged fees to cash them. However, with the rising worldwide use of credit cards and prepaid debit cards—such as the Visa TravelMoney card, which offers zero liability for its unauthorized use—it is getting much harder to find institutions that will cash traveler’s checks.

History of Traveler’s Checks

James C. Fargo, the president of the American Express Company, was a wealthy, well-known American who was unable to get checks cashed during a trip to Europe. In 1891, a company employee, Marcellus F. Berry, believed that the solution for taking money overseas required a check with the signature of the bearer and devised a product for it. American Express and Visa still use the British spelling on their products.

Where to Get Traveler's Checks

Companies that still issue traveler's checks today include American Express , Visa , and AAA . They often come with a 1% to 2% purchase fee. AAA now offers members pre-paid international Visa cards instead of paper checks.

In the U.S., they are available primarily from American Express locations. You can also buy traveler's checks online from the American Express website, but you need to be registered with an account. Visa offers traveler's checks at Citibank locations nationwide, as well as at several other banks.

American Express, Visa, and AAA are among the companies that still issue traveler’s checks.

Where to Cash Traveler's Checks

If you want to convert your traveler's checks into cash (instead of spending them directly), you can often deposit them normally at your bank. Many hotel or resort lobbies will also provide this service to guests at no charge. American Express also provides a service to redeem traveler's checks that they issue online to be deposited into your bank account. The redemption application online should take less than 15 minutes to complete.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Traveler's Checks

Traveler's checks are handy for tourists who do not want to risk losing their cash or having it stolen while abroad. Because traveler's checks can be reported lost or stolen and the funds replaced, they provide peace of mind. This was particularly a concern before credit cards and ATMs were widespread and affordable worldwide for most travelers. At the same time, these paper checks are now a bit outdated and come with a fee to purchase, making them potentially more expensive and cumbersome than using plastic or electronic payments.

Replaced if lost or stolen

Widely accepted around the world

Convenient to use

They don't expire

Must have the physical check to use it

Incurs a fee to purchase

Limited number of issuers today

Alternatives to Traveler's Checks

The most obvious alternative is to use a credit or debit card issued by a bank that works worldwide and charges low or no foreign exchange fees on purchases or ATM withdrawals. If your bank doesn't allow for this or charges high fees, then prepaid travel cards are the modern version of traveler’s checks. They allow you to get local currency from ATMs and make purchases with merchants—effectively eliminating the need for traveler’s checks.

Prepaid cards are not linked to your bank account, which prevents anybody from draining your checking account if the card gets lost or stolen—and you can’t go into debt. Credit cards offer similar (or better) protection, but you might not want to use your everyday card abroad. By using a dedicated travel card, you avoid spreading your card numbers around, which means you can be less vigilant about monitoring your accounts when you get back home. Visa and MasterCard both offer prepaid cards designed for use abroad. Those cards are available online, through travel agents, and at banks or credit unions. 

Travel cards should feature low ATM fees, technology that lets you operate like a local in foreign countries, emergency cash when you lose the card, and “zero liability” fraud protection. That said, prepaid cards can be expensive, so you need to compare fees against your other cards to decide whether or not a travel card makes sense.

For U.S. citizens living abroad for extended periods, maintaining checking and other bank accounts in the United States provides several advantages, and many checking accounts are friendly for foreign transactions .

Where Do You Buy Traveler's Checks?

You can buy still buy traveler's checks from American Express, Visa, and a handful of other financial institutions. To buy them, visit a location or check the website of an issuing institution. You may need a photo ID in order to set up an account.

How Do You Cash Traveler's Checks?

Many hotels, resorts, and currency traders will cash traveler's checks in exchange for local currency. However, with the rising prevalence of credit and debit cards fewer locations cash traveler's checks.

What Do You Do With Traveler's Checks?

Traveler's checks are a secure way of carrying money while abroad. Many businesses in the tourism industry will cash traveler's checks, and they can also be deposited into a bank account. Because the checks can be easily replaced, they have a lower risk of theft or loss. However, traveler's checks have fallen out of favor due to the increased convenience of credit cards and prepaid debit cards.

Traveler's checks were once a popular way to carry money while vacationing abroad. They are sold in fixed denominations, and can be used for purchases or cashed like an ordinary check. Traveler's checks can be easily replaced, making them less risky than carrying large amounts of cash. However, they have fallen out of favor due to the convenience of using credit or debit cards.

Sparks, Evan. “ Nine Young Bankers Who Changed America: Marcellus Flemming Berry .” ABA Banking Journal, June 26, 2017.

Time Magazine. " Travel (April, 1956): The Host with the Most ."

American Express. " Travelers Cheques ."

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How Traveler's Checks Work in the Modern World

Can You Still Buy Traveler's Checks?

• What Are Traveler’s Checks?

Best Ways to Use Traveler’s Checks

Evolution of traveler’s checks, how to use traveler’s checks, frequently asked questions (faqs).

Traveler’s checks, once a necessity for traveling abroad, can keep your money safe. While modern alternatives accomplish most of what traveler’s checks do, those checks are far from useless. Traveler’s checks probably don’t need to be your primary resource in areas with an ATM in every town (or on every corner), but they make for an excellent backup plan.

What Are Traveler’s Checks, Anyway?

That’s a fair question in the modern world. Traveler’s checks are paper documents that can be used like standard paper checks and cash. Traditionally, travelers carried these checks to get cash in local currency and pay merchants. Issuers print checks in varying denominations, and checks can be replaced quickly if lost or stolen. With the spread of digital payment options and ATMs, traveler’s checks have become less popular and more difficult to use.

Here are situations when you might want to use traveler's checks.

Low-Tech Access to Cash

In many places, you can get cash in local currency at an ATM , but they're rare in some areas of the world. What’s more, ATMs can malfunction , communication networks might be down, and machines occasionally run out of cash. Traveler’s checks allow you to get local currency at banks, hotels, and foreign exchange offices with a familiar piece of paper. That said, converting a traveler’s check to cash can be challenging and time-consuming.

Added Security

Traveler’s checks keep your money secure. Recipients are supposed to watch you countersign and compare signatures carefully when you use a traveler’s check, making them lose value when lost or stolen. Credit and debit cards provide similar protection, but they are more attractive to thieves who often use them successfully before you disable the stolen cards. You can replace lost or stolen traveler’s checks or get a refund from the issuer. On extended trips, you can keep traveler’s checks on hand for emergencies without risking large financial losses.

Currency Control

Buying traveler’s checks in your destination country’s currency helps you avoid surprises when it comes to exchange rates. You might not get the best conversion rates at home, but you can at least secure a portion of what you need at current rates.

Traveler’s checks aren’t what they used to be. Banks, hotels, and even merchants were once accustomed to taking traveler’s checks from foreigners. Nowadays, you may not be able to find anybody willing to accept a traveler’s check (or the process will be harder than in days past).

Prepaid travel cards are the modern version of traveler’s checks. They allow you to get local currency from ATMs and make purchases with merchants—effectively eliminating the need for traveler’s checks.

Prepaid cards are not linked to your bank account , which prevents anybody from draining your checking account if the card gets lost or stolen—and you can’t go into debt. Credit cards offer similar (or better) protection , but you might not want to use your everyday card abroad. By using a dedicated travel card, you avoid spreading your card numbers around, which means you can be less vigilant about monitoring your accounts when you get back home.

Visa and MasterCard both offer prepaid cards designed for use abroad. Those cards are available online, through travel agents, and at banks or credit unions. 

Travel cards should feature low ATM fees, technology that lets you operate like a local in foreign countries, emergency cash when you lose the card, and “zero liability” fraud protection. That said, prepaid cards can be expensive , so you need to compare fees against your other cards to decide whether or not a travel card makes sense.

As an alternative, if you already have credit or debit cards that you rarely use, reserve those cards for foreign travel. Be sure to test the card if it’s been dormant, check with the card issuer before you leave home, and monitor your accounts after you return.

Contact your card issuer before you travel. Otherwise, your purchases may be flagged as fraudulent, which could cause your account to be frozen.

You can still buy traveler’s checks in the U.S. and other countries. In the U.S., checks are available primarily from American Express , but you may need to do some legwork to get your hands on new checks.

Here are a few tips for using traveler's checks.

• Keep purchase records separate from the checks: If checks get lost or stolen, you’ll need to provide proof of purchase and check numbers to get a refund. Leave those details with a friend or online for remote access.
• Sign the checks immediately after you get them: Follow the issuer’s instructions to find out where to sign (and only sign once). You’ll sign the checks again when you use them to make a purchase or get cash.
• Fill in the payee and date when you’re ready to use a check: Be sure that the payee actually accepts traveler’s checks before you do so.
• Sign the check again when you complete your payment: The person or business you’re paying must be present to watch you sign. This ensures that the signatures are valid as both signatures must match.
• Traveler’s checks don’t expire: You can either keep them for future use or deposit them into your bank account once you’re home.
• If checks get lost or stolen, contact the issuer immediately: You may be able to get replacement checks locally, and the issuer needs to know which checks are potential fraud risks.

Where can I buy traveler's checks?

Most traveler's checks in the U.S. are issued by American Express, but you can also buy them through various small banks and credit unions throughout the country. Call your bank, or check online to see whether it offers this service.

What do traveler's checks cost?

You'll usually have to pay a service charge of between 1% and 4% for traveler's checks. Fees typically will be higher if you purchase from an institution where you don't already have an account.

What are the differences among a traveler's check, a cashier's check, and a money order?

Traveler's checks, cashier's checks , and money orders are all issued by banks and can be used as cash or personal-check substitutes for purchases in the U.S. However, traveler's checks are the best choice if you're traveling outside the country. They're designed to be accepted anywhere in the world, come in small denominations, and can be easily replaced if lost. They're also fairly secure, because you don't sign them a second time until you're in the presence of the recipient. However, they are becoming less common and are not as widely accepted as they once were.

American Express. " Online Travelers Cheques Redemption: Frequently Asked Questions ."

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. " What Is the Difference Between a Prepaid Card, a Credit Card, and a Debit Card? "

Visa. " Visa TravelMoney Prepaid ."

Mastercard. " Prepaid Travel Card by Mastercard ."

Federal Trade Commission. " When a Company Declines Your Credit or Debit Card ."

American Express. " Acceptance of American Express Travelers Cheques ," Page 2.

American Express. " American Express Travelers Cheques ."

Frommer's. " Traveler's Checks ."

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All about traveler’s checks, plus modern alternatives

January 18, 2024 | 1 min video

Getting ready to travel? One thing to think about is how you’ll make purchases while you’re away. Traveler’s checks aren’t as common as they used to be. So you might want to consider modern alternatives that may offer the advantages of traveler’s checks and more.

Read on to learn more about the ins and outs of traveler’s checks. And find out about other options—for example, credit cards, prepaid cards and mobile wallets—that could help make the most of your trip.

Key takeaways

• Traveler’s checks are paper documents that can be exchanged for local currency or used to buy goods and services abroad.
• Traveler’s checks feature unique serial numbers, making them replaceable if they’re lost or stolen.
• Fees may apply when purchasing and exchanging traveler’s checks.
• There are modern alternatives to traveler’s checks that you may find more convenient.

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What is a traveler’s check?

A traveler’s check is a paper document you can use for making purchases when you’re traveling, typically in other countries. It can be used as cash or a regular check.

Traveler’s checks—you may also see them referred to as “cheques”—are generally printed with a unique serial number. This means you may be able to get a refund if your checks are lost or stolen. The checks are usually available in set denominations—$20 and $50, for example. 

How do traveler’s checks work?

Traveler’s checks may be accepted at participating merchants like hotels, restaurants and stores. Just keep in mind that there could be fewer participating merchants than there used to be.

When you purchase your checks, you may notice that they have a space for two signatures:

• First signature: You might be asked to sign each of your traveler’s checks when you buy them. If not, you may want to sign them as soon as possible. 
• Second signature: You’ll usually sign your traveler’s checks again when you’re making purchases.

This dual signature method is meant to provide extra security and ensure that only the purchaser is able to use them. The merchant can verify that the second signature matches the first.

How to cash in traveler’s checks

You can use traveler’s checks like cash to pay for goods and services at participating merchants. You’ll typically sign the check in front of the merchant at the time of the purchase.

While traveling, you may also be able to redeem your traveler’s checks for local currency at financial institutions or your hotel.

Potential fees associated with traveler’s checks

It’s possible that certain fees may apply to traveler’s checks. For example, you may need to pay a fee when you purchase them or when you exchange them for currency once you get to your destination. There might also be a fee for depositing unused checks into your bank account.

Where to get traveler’s checks

While traveler’s checks might be harder to find than they used to be, they’re still available. You may be able to purchase them at some banks, credit unions and travel-related service organizations.

Pros and cons of traveler’s checks

Take a look at some of the potential pros and cons of traveler’s checks:

When to use a traveler’s check

You might consider using traveler’s checks in certain situations, including: 

• When you don’t have a credit or debit card. Some people may prefer to travel using modern payment options like credit and debit cards. But if you don’t have either, you may find traveler’s checks to be an acceptable alternative.
• When you can’t access an ATM. If you find yourself in a place that doesn’t have an ATM on every corner, you can instead use your checks at merchants that accept them.
• When you want to exchange them for local currency. When you get to where you’re going, you might want to have some local currency on hand. You may be able to exchange your traveler’s checks for currency at certain banks or other financial institutions.

Modern alternatives to traveler’s checks

There are a number of alternatives to traveler’s checks—options you may find faster, easier and more convenient. Here are a few to consider when you’re comparing your choices:

Credit cards

Carrying a credit card may be easier than carrying traveler’s checks. Plus, credit cards can be helpful for making large and online travel purchases like plane tickets and hotel reservations. That’s especially true with travel credit cards , which you could use to earn rewards on travel-related purchases.

Some credit cards may also come with benefits that could be useful while traveling. They might include things like protection from unauthorized charges and the ability to use a mobile app to track your purchases .

Keep in mind that foreign transaction fees may come into play when you use your credit card overseas. While this fee might vary between credit card companies, it could generally be in the range of 1%-3% of your purchase. You may also be charged a currency conversion fee. This fee is often part of a foreign transaction fee.

Some companies don’t charge foreign transaction fees. For example, none of Capital One’s U.S.-issued credit cards charge this fee. View important rates and disclosures .

If you’re traveling with your credit card, your credit card issuer may want to be alerted before you go. That’s because it might flag your purchases as fraudulent if it notices purchases made in an unfamiliar location. Thanks to the added security of its chip cards, Capital One doesn’t require this notification.

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Debit cards

When you’re traveling, a debit card can be just as easy to carry around as a credit card. And like a credit card, it can help protect against fraud. 

The big difference: A credit card lets you “borrow” money for purchases, while a debit card uses the money in your checking account to make purchases.

It may be helpful to carry a debit card when you’re visiting a country that generally favors cash transactions. In that case, you could use your debit card at an ATM to get cash once you’ve reached your destination. And that may be safer than bringing cash with you and exchanging it for local currency once you’ve arrived. 

Keep in mind that you could be charged ATM fees when you use a debit card abroad. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), some banks and credit unions don’t charge customers a fee for using their ATMs. But they might charge you if you’re not a customer—and that could be in addition to a fee charged by the operator of the ATM.

Also, be mindful that some banks may charge a foreign transaction fee when you make purchases abroad with a debit card. You may also be charged a currency conversion fee—often, this fee is folded into the foreign transaction fee.

Some banks, though, don’t charge foreign transaction fees. For example, Capital One doesn’t charge this fee for its 360 Checking account . 

If you take a debit card on your travels, your bank may ask you to notify it beforehand. That’s because it could notice transactions made in an unfamiliar location and potentially freeze your account. Capital One doesn’t require this notification , thanks to the added security of your chip card.

Prepaid cards

Like credit cards and debit cards, prepaid cards may be easier to carry around than cash. They may also offer some protection against loss, theft or fraud once you register them.

But with a prepaid card, you don’t “borrow” money like you do with a credit card—or use money from your checking account, like with a debit card. Instead, you typically add money to a prepaid card before using it.

According to the CFPB, there are a few ways you can add funds to a prepaid card. For example, you can transfer money from your checking account or load funds at some retailers or financial institutions.

You might be charged one or more fees for using a prepaid card. The CFPB notes that if you get your prepaid card from a retailer, you should find a summary of fees on the card’s packaging. If you get your card from a different provider—online or over the phone, for example—the provider needs to share this information on paper or electronically.

Mobile wallet

You’ll probably have your phone with you when you’re traveling, right? Using a mobile wallet to make purchases is another modern alternative to traveler’s checks.

A mobile wallet is essentially a digital version of your real wallet. Depending on the wallet, you may be able to store things like credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, boarding passes, hotel reservations, event tickets and other types of personal data. 

Mobile wallets can be convenient, allowing you to make quick and easy payments using your phone or other mobile device when you’re on the go. And they typically use advanced technology that prevents your actual account numbers from being stored in the wallet.

There are lots of mobile wallets to choose from. Researching your options could help you see which will work best while you’re traveling. Keep in mind, some merchants might not take mobile wallet payments.

Traveler’s checks in a nutshell

Traveler’s checks can be a helpful way to pay for things abroad, but there are also more modern options available today, like credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards and mobile wallets. And with a travel credit card, you could earn rewards on your travel-related purchases.

Ready to upgrade the way you pay before your next trip? Compare Capital One travel credit cards today to find the best option for you, no matter where you’re headed. 

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Are Traveler's Checks Obsolete? Here's What To Use Instead

Traveler's checks were once a really popular and useful tool when going abroad—but with the widespread use of credit cards and debit cards, they are no longer as common. A traveler's check is verified by a bank and is used when traveling internationally to exchange for local currency.

"You might pay American Express $100 for a travelers check, and that check is worth $100 based on the amount you've given Amex," says Alex Miller, founder and CEO of travel site UpgradedPoints . "You then go to another country to cash that check and are given $100 in equivalent local currency."

RgStudio/Getty Images

People used traveler's checks as a way to keep money safe from fraud and theft while traveling, as they could be replaced. "Each check has a unique number, so it can be traced easily," says Phil Dengler, co-owner of The Vacationer , a resource for travel and credit card guides. Also, you have to sign the traveler's check when you buy it and when you go to redeem it to prevent fraud—if the signatures match, you get your money.

While most major banks no longer offer them, you can buy traveler's checks through American Express, VISA, and AAA—however, you could have a tough time finding hotels, banks, and stores that still accept them while traveling. Here are some of the modern alternatives to traveler's checks that are available today that will make your life easier and keep your money safe.

What to Use Instead of Traveler's Checks

Traveler's checks can be useful to avoid foreign transaction fees or if you don't have a credit card—but you run the risk of going somewhere that traveler's checks are not widely accepted. There are ways around foreign transaction fees and safe alternatives to traveler's checks so you don't have to carry a bunch of cash with you.

Credit card

Credit cards are a great option for keeping your money safe while traveling. "While credit cards can be lost or stolen, they offer fraud protection absolving you of any unauthorized charges," says Dengler. He recommends getting a credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees, and sticking to VISA or Mastercard (as opposed to Discover or Amex) as they are more widely accepted.

While it is less than ideal, if you lose your credit card or it gets stolen, "banks and credit card companies have global call centers which can quickly deactivate and replace your cards in short order," says Warren Jaferian , dean of the Office of International Education at Endicott College.

Get a debit card that doesn't charge an ATM fee. ATMs are widely available and you can directly withdraw money in local currency—Miller recommends the Charles Schwab Bank card.

However, the safety of using a debit card internationally can be questionable, with experts advising extra caution when traveling to prevent fraud. Jaferian suggests using an ATM inside a bank to avoid skimmers or other devices that can be used to get your card number.

However, your PIN does provide an added layer of protection against fraud—"The modern institution of the Debit Card + PIN is just as, if not more secure, than the traveler's check," says business attorney Ryan Reiffert .

Bottom line: You don't really need them.

For the most part, traveler's checks seem to be a thing of the past. "Personally, I stopped buying travelers checks in the 1990s as secure alternatives became ubiquitous," says Warren.

While they provide safety and can help you avoid high transaction fees, it might be difficult to find places that accept them. If you're able to get a credit card or debit card with no fees, that's your best bet. "Traveler's checks are not as useful as they once were," says Dengler. "They are safer than carrying cash, however." Research your destination to see if traveler's checks are accepted there—if your bank or card charges high international fees, or you don't have a credit card, traveler's checks might still be a worthwhile option to consider.

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How to Obtain Traveler's Checks

Last Updated: July 26, 2018

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 16,546 times.

It is a good idea to give some thought to currency exchange prior to traveling outside of your home country. Most international destinations accept cash, credit or debit cards, but traveler's checks offer the highest level of security, as they are refundable if lost or stolen. Traveler's checks come in a wide variety of denominations and currencies and are available for purchase through most financial institutions, currency-exchange offices and some travel-service organizations. Read the following article to learn how to obtain traveler's checks.

• 4 Inspect your traveler's checks for accuracy.

Expert Q&A

• Pay attention to the currency-exchange rate when traveling. Sometimes cash may receive a better rate than traveler's checks. Sometimes the opposite will be true. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Large-denomination checks may be difficult to cash outside of major cities. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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If You Have Old Traveler's Checks Lying Around, Here's Why You Should Cash Them ASAP

By Jason Cochran

03/07/2023, 6:15 PM

For a long time, the standard advice about traveler's checks has been conditional: You can still buy them, but be prepared for them to be refused at many places.

Traveler's checks hail from an era before ATMs, credit cards, prepaid debit cards, and digital wallets, when travelers had to bring large sums of money with them to pay for their adventures. The traveler's check enabled people to remain well-funded without the risk of carrying actual cash.

But we no longer need to carry ready funds wherever we go. We have digital payments. And as that global technology has grown, the systems that handle archaic proxy forms of payment such as traveler's checks have vanished.

Many former issuers of traveler's checks, such as Thomas Cook, Bank of America, Chase, and AAA, have either discontinued their traveler's check programs or gone out of business altogether. 

Yet there are still some consumers out there who seek out this form of payment out of familiarity. 

American Express acts like they're still worthwhile. ("Travelers Cheques mean peace of mind," the  Amex website promises .) So does  Visa , which issues them through its banking partners. 

Don't succumb. You could end up stuck with the checks after you get back home.  

Previously, if you still had some traveler's checks in your possession after a trip, you could redeposit them in your bank account. After all, they never expire.

But now big financial institutions have changed the rules. 

Last December, Charles Schwab, a major player in consumer investing, announced that it would no longer accept traveler's checks as deposits. (The company also announced it would no longer accept mobile deposits of money orders.) The warning was quietly slipped into a tiny box in the Charles Schwab app.

Financial institutions, like airlines, tend to imitate one another's consumer products. Your bank may follow suit, if it hasn't already.

In Chase's case, sales of traveler's checks were halted in 2015, but Chase still accepts them on deposit for now.

Many banks, though, will simply refer you back to the company that originally underwrote the transaction, so getting your cash might involve detective work and mailing the old checks to Europe  to petition for a refund.

Yet a lot of online travel tips still present traveler's checks as an uncommon-but-viable option.

A 2022 post by First Republic Bank sold them as "still a worthy option to consider," and a 2022 post from Capital One warned there may be a fee to deposit unused traveler's checks, but didn't mention that many banks aren't even capable of doing that anymore.

I tested ChatGPT with a question about how to obtain traveler's checks for a vacation. Because the A.I. software is fed by all the bad information online, the chatbot told me traveler's checks "have become less common in recent years," but then nonetheless proceeded to instruct me how and where to buy some.

ChatGPT never warned me that I could potentially have trouble cashing the leftovers after my trip ends.

If you research more carefully, you can find stories of people who run across old traveler's checks but have a hard time locating anyone to redeem them—even at the buyer's own bank or the institution named on the check. 

If you can't use traveler's checks easily and you can't easily get your money back afterward, they're not what I'd call a viable option anymore.

One statistic that's frequently cited online states that more than $1 billion in unredeemed traveler's checks are still circulating. Many of those checks are leftovers from long-ago vacations that came in under budget or vestiges of well-meaning grandparents who assumed buying traveler's checks as gifts was as safe as buying a bond.

Although that $1 billion figure may not be accurate, there's still no doubt that heaps of old traveler's checks are out there, forgotten in the backs of closets, sock drawers, and safe deposit boxes. The avenues for getting the value back out of the checks are swiftly closing.

So it's time to call it. Traveler's checks should never be used. 

More to the point, if you have any old traveler's checks somewhere, get the value back out of them as soon as possible.

And don't buy any more ever again. Not unless you want to run the risk of locking your hard-earned money into pieces of paper.

When it comes to travel, any company that is still issuing traveler's checks probably shouldn't be. Consider them dead.

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Reisezahlungsmittel: kreditkarte.

Zahlungen mit der Kreditkarte ermöglichen enorme Flexibilität – besonders im Ausland. Sie haben nicht nur die Möglichkeit, sich weltweit Bargeld am Automaten auszahlen zu lassen. Sie können auch ohne Probleme sicher mit Ihrer Kreditkarte bezahlen. Achten Sie hierfür einfach auf das Visa- oder Mastercard-Logo an der Kasse oder Eingangstür. Dort wird Ihnen signalisiert, ob Ihre Kreditkarte vor Ort akzeptiert wird. Außerdem sind die Kreditkarteneinsätze in Euro-Ländern grundsätzlich kostenfrei.

Da die Zahlungen mit der Kreditkarte in der Regel erst am Monatsende abgebucht werden, haben Sie einen größeren Verfügungsrahmen für die Zeit Ihrer Reise. Außerdem gibt es attraktive Zusatzleistungen je nach Karte oder Paket. Nähere Informationen finden Sie dazu bei Ihrer Sparkasse. Zusätzlich erhalten Sie einen Notfalldienst im In- und Ausland sowie Unterstützung bei Verlust oder Diebstahl. Eine begrenzte Haftung ist ebenfalls inbegriffen.

Das sollten Sie beachten:

Nicht mit allen Kreditkartentypen sind weltweit kostenlose Bargeldabhebungen am Geldautomaten möglich. Außerdem gibt es im Nicht-Euro-Ausland ein sogenanntes Auslandseinsatzentgelt, das Sie bei bargeldlosen Zahlungen oder bei der Bargeldauszahlung am Automaten entrichten müssen. Zudem besteht durch die monatliche Abrechnung die Gefahr, den Überblick zu verlieren und mehr Geld auszugeben, als eigentlich zur Verfügung steht.

Unser Tipp:

Wenn es um Gebühren bei der Bargeldauszahlung geht, beachten Sie immer die Informationen an den Geldautomaten. Dort finden Sie in der Regel eine Preisauskunft. Die Bargeldauszahlung mit der Kreditkarte kann nämlich teurer sein als mit der Sparkassen-Card (Debitkarte). Weitere hilfreiche Informationen zur Nutzung Ihrer Sparkassen-Kreditkarte im Ausland finden Sie hier.

Reisezahlungsmittel: Sparkassen-Card (Debitkarte)

Mit der Sparkassen-Card (Debitkarte) , oft auch als girocard bezeichnet, können Sie sich an rund 700.000 Geldautomaten Bargeld auszahlen lassen. Außerdem zahlen Sie weltweit sicher dank der Sparkassen-Card Co-Badges. Dazu zählen Maestro, V Pay und die Debit Mastercard. Bei Diebstahl lässt sich die Karte schnell sperren und Ihr Geld sich somit sichern.

Sollten Sie mit der Sparkassen-Card (Debitkarte) im Ausland Geld vom Automaten abheben, müssen Sie mit Gebühren rechnen. Diese können variieren. Außerdem werden nicht überall auf der Welt girocards akzeptiert.

Informieren Sie sich im Vorfeld über die Zahlungsmöglichkeiten mit Ihrer Sparkassen-Card (Debitkarte) im Ausland. Sollten Sie zusätzlich Bargeld abheben wollen, empfiehlt es sich, lieber wenige Male größere Summen, statt öfter kleinere abzuheben, um Gebühren zu sparen.

Reisezahlungsmittel: Bargeld

Auch heutzutage wird Bargeld noch (fast) überall akzeptiert – egal ob beim Restaurantbesuch, im Taxi oder am Einlass im Museum. Ausfallende Technik kann dem Bargeld nichts anhaben. Selbst wenn das Kartenlesegerät mal Funktionsschwierigkeiten hat, können Sie Ihre Rechnung problemlos begleichen. Zudem fallen beim Bargeld keine Gebühren an – höchstens das Trinkgeld für den freundlichen Kellner oder die Kellnerin.

Dennoch hat auch Bargeld seine Tücken. Aus Sicherheits- und Bequemlichkeitsgründen greifen viele lieber zur Karte. Schließlich ist es weitaus entspannter, nur die Karte zu zücken, anstatt im Portemonnaie zu kramen und schwere Münzen im dicken Geldbeutel herumzuschleppen. Außerdem gehen Sie das Risiko ein, gefälschte Banknoten untergejubelt zu bekommen. Zudem ist gestohlenes Bargeld in der Regel unwiederbringlich verloren. Bei Kartennutzung haben Sie zumindest die Möglichkeit, die Karte schnellstmöglich sperren zu lassen und Ihr Geld so zu sichern.

Gerade für kleinere Beträge lohnen sich Barzahlungen. Beispielsweise im Café. Oder wenn die entstehenden Gebühren nicht im Verhältnis zum gezahlten Preis der Ware stehen. Verlassen Sie sich möglichst nie auf ein einziges Zahlungsmittel. Reisende sollten sicherheitshalber ein Backup in petto haben.

Was darüber hinaus wichtig ist

Auf Nummer sicher gehen Sie, wenn Sie vor Reisebeginn mit Ihrem Sparkassen-Berater sprechen. Besonders, wenn ein Urlaub außerhalb der EU geplant ist. Lassen Sie das sogenannte Geoblocking Ihrer Sparkassen-Card (Debitkarte) für das Urlaubsland freischalten. In bestimmten Ländern können Sie ohne Freischaltung nur geringe Summen abheben. Das Geoblocking beugt Betrugsfällen vor und grenzt den abzuhebenden Betrag stark ein. Welches Zahlungsmittel für welches Reiseland am besten geeignet ist, erfahren Sie auch bei S-CARD, dem Reiseservice Ihrer Sparkasse.

Auch mobiles Bezahlen ist selbstverständlich möglich und bietet noch mehr Flexibilität. Fügen Sie einfach Ihre Karte in die Wallet App Ihres Apple-Geräts hinzu, um Apple Pay zu nutzen. Oder laden Sie für Ihr Android-Smartphone die App „Mobiles Bezahlen“ herunter.

Sie sollten jedoch beachten, dass diese Art der Bezahlung bis jetzt nur in wenigen Ländern in den Alltag integriert ist und ein Verlust Ihres Handy Sie zahlungsunfähig macht. Schützen Sie daher Ihre Daten, in dem Sie Ihr Gerät mit einer PIN sichern.

Machen Sie mehr aus Ihrem Geld

Häufige fragen zu reisezahlungsmittel, wie zahle ich im ausland am besten.

Ganz generell gilt: Verlassen Sie sich niemals nur auf ein einziges Zahlungsmittel. Im besten Fall haben Sie immer einen Notgroschen in der Tasche, um beispielsweise bei technischen Ausfällen gewappnet zu sein.

Welche Reisezahlungsmittel gibt es?

Die Sparkassen-Card (Debitkarte), die Sparkassen-Kreditkarte und das klassische Bargeld. Auch Reisechecks stellen eine Möglichkeit dar. Diese sind allerdings immer seltener in Verwendung.

Kann man mit der Sparkassen-Card (Debitkarte) im Ausland bezahlen?

In der Regel stellt dies dank der Co-Badges Maestro oder V Pay kein Problem mehr dar. Mittlerweile sind nur noch wenige Karten auf dem Markt, die lediglich giropay unterstützen. Damit wäre eine Zahlung im Ausland nämlich nicht möglich.

Was kostet Bezahlen mit der Sparkassen-Card (Debitkarte) im Ausland?

In Euro-Ländern ist der Einsatz der Sparkassen-Card (Debitkarte) kostenfrei. In Nicht-Euro-Ländern fällt hingegen ein zusätzliches Währungsumrechnungsentgelt an.

Wie teuer ist Geldabheben im Ausland?

Sollten Sie im Ausland an einem Automaten Bargeld abheben wollen, müssen Sie mit zusätzlichen Kosten rechnen. Die Gebühren sind allerdings von Bank zu Bank unterschiedlich. Informieren Sie sich am besten zu konkreten Preisen bei Ihrer Bankberaterin oder ihrem Bankberater. Zudem sollten Sie beachten, dass auch die Geldautomatenbetreiber Gebühren für die Abhebung verlangen können.

In welcher Währung im Ausland Geld abheben?

Wenn Sie sich in einem Nicht-Euro-Land befinden und Geld abheben möchten, sollten Sie auf die landeseigene Währung zurückgreifen. Andernfalls könnten Ihnen nicht selten hohe Aufschläge für die Umrechnung begegnen.

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Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow: The Best of Moscow!

I just got back from one week in Moscow. And, as you might have already guessed, it was a mind-boggling experience. It was not my first trip to the Russian capital. But I hardly ever got enough time to explore this sprawling city. Visiting places for business rarely leaves enough time for sightseeing. I think that if you’ve got one week in Russia, you can also consider splitting your time between its largest cities (i.e. Saint Petersburg ) to get the most out of your trip. Seven days will let you see the majority of the main sights and go beyond just scratching the surface. In this post, I’m going to share with you my idea of the perfect travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

Moscow is perhaps both the business and cultural hub of Russia. There is a lot more to see here than just the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries-old churches with onion-shaped domes dotted around the city are in stark contrast with newly completed impressive skyscrapers of Moscow City dominating the skyline. I spent a lot of time thinking about my Moscow itinerary before I left. And this city lived up to all of my expectations.

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

Day 1 – red square and the kremlin.

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad on Red Line.

No trip to Moscow would be complete without seeing its main attraction. The Red Square is just a stone’s throw away from several metro stations. It is home to some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the city. The first thing you’ll probably notice after entering it and passing vendors selling weird fur hats is the fairytale-like looking Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was built to commemorate one of the major victories of Ivan the Terrible. I once spent 20 minutes gazing at it, trying to find the perfect angle to snap it. It was easier said than done because of the hordes of locals and tourists.

As you continue strolling around Red Square, there’s no way you can miss Gum. It was widely known as the main department store during the Soviet Era. Now this large (yet historic) shopping mall is filled with expensive boutiques, pricey eateries, etc. During my trip to Moscow, I was on a tight budget. So I only took a retro-style stroll in Gum to get a rare glimpse of a place where Soviet leaders used to grocery shop and buy their stuff. In case you want some modern shopping experience, head to the Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center with stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Adidas.

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To continue this Moscow itinerary, next you may want to go inside the Kremlin walls. This is the center of Russian political power and the president’s official residence. If you’re planning to pay Kremlin a visit do your best to visit Ivan the Great Bell Tower as well. Go there as early as possible to avoid crowds and get an incredible bird’s-eye view. There are a couple of museums that are available during designated visiting hours. Make sure to book your ticket online and avoid lines.

Day 2 – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Arbat Street

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya on Red Line

As soon as you start creating a Moscow itinerary for your second day, you’ll discover that there are plenty of metro stations that are much closer to certain sites. Depending on your route, take a closer look at the metro map to pick the closest.

The white marble walls of Christ the Saviour Cathedral are awe-inspiring. As you approach this tallest Orthodox Christian church, you may notice the bronze sculptures, magnificent arches, and cupolas that were created to commemorate Russia’s victory against Napoleon.

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Unfortunately, the current Cathedral is a replica, since original was blown to bits in 1931 by the Soviet government. The new cathedral basically follows the original design, but they have added some new elements such as marble high reliefs.

Home to some precious collection of artworks, in Tretyakov Gallery you can find more than 150,000 of works spanning centuries of artistic endeavor. Originally a privately owned gallery, it now has become one of the largest museums in Russia. The Gallery is often considered essential to visit. But I have encountered a lot of locals who have never been there.

Famous for its souvenirs, musicians, and theaters, Arbat street is among the few in Moscow that were turned into pedestrian zones. Arbat street is usually very busy with tourists and locals alike. My local friend once called it the oldest street in Moscow dating back to 1493. It is a kilometer long walking street filled with fancy gift shops, small cozy restaurants, lots of cute cafes, and street artists. It is closed to any vehicular traffic, so you can easily stroll it with kids.

Day 3 – Moscow River Boat Ride, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park, the Moscow City

Metro Station: Kievskaya and Park Pobedy on Dark Blue Line / Vystavochnaya on Light Blue Line

Voyaging along the Moscow River is definitely one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the city and see the attractions from a bit different perspective. Depending on your Moscow itinerary, travel budget and the time of the year, there are various types of boats available. In the summer there is no shortage of boats, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

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If you find yourself in Moscow during the winter months, I’d recommend going with Radisson boat cruise. These are often more expensive (yet comfy). They offer refreshments like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. Prices may vary but mostly depend on your food and drink selection. Find their main pier near the opulent Ukraine hotel . The hotel is one of the “Seven Sisters”, so if you’re into the charm of Stalinist architecture don’t miss a chance to stay there.

The area near Poklonnaya Hill has the closest relation to the country’s recent past. The memorial complex was completed in the mid-1990s to commemorate the Victory and WW2 casualties. Also known as the Great Patriotic War Museum, activities here include indoor attractions while the grounds around host an open-air museum with old tanks and other vehicles used on the battlefield.

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The hallmark of the memorial complex and the first thing you see as you exit metro is the statue of Nike mounted to its column. This is a very impressive Obelisk with a statue of Saint George slaying the dragon at its base.

Maybe not as impressive as Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower , the skyscrapers of the Moscow City (otherwise known as Moscow International Business Center) are so drastically different from dull Soviet architecture. With 239 meters and 60 floors, the Empire Tower is the seventh highest building in the business district.

The observation deck occupies 56 floor from where you have some panoramic views of the city. I loved the view in the direction of Moscow State University and Luzhniki stadium as well to the other side with residential quarters. The entrance fee is pricey, but if you’re want to get a bird’s eye view, the skyscraper is one of the best places for doing just that.

Day 4 – VDNKh, Worker and Collective Farm Woman Monument, The Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh on Orange Line

VDNKh is one of my favorite attractions in Moscow. The weird abbreviation actually stands for Russian vystavka dostizheniy narodnogo khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum. You can easily spend a full day here since the park occupies a very large area.

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First, there are pavilions that used to showcase different cultures the USSR was made of. Additionally, there is a number of shopping pavilions, as well as Moskvarium (an Oceanarium) that features a variety of marine species. VDNKh is a popular venue for events and fairs. There is always something going on, so I’d recommend checking their website if you want to see some particular exhibition.

A stone’s throw away from VDNKh there is a very distinctive 25-meters high monument. Originally built in 1937 for the world fair in Paris, the hulking figures of men and women holding a hammer and a sickle represent the Soviet idea of united workers and farmers. It doesn’t take much time to see the monument, but visiting it gives some idea of the Soviet Union’s grandiose aspirations.

I have a thing for tall buildings. So to continue my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow I decided to climb the fourth highest TV tower in the world. This iconic 540m tower is a fixture of the skyline. You can see it virtually from everywhere in Moscow, and this is where you can get the best panoramic views (yep, even better than Empire skyscraper).

Parts of the floor are made of tempered glass, so it can be quite scary to exit the elevator. But trust me, as you start observing buildings and cars below, you won’t want to leave. There is only a limited number of tickets per day, so you may want to book online. Insider tip: the first tour is cheaper, you can save up to $10 if go there early.

Day 5 – A Tour To Moscow Manor Houses

Metro Station: Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno on Dark Green Line / Kuskovo on Purple Line

I love visiting the manor houses and palaces in Moscow. These opulent buildings were generally built to house Russian aristocratic families and monarchs. Houses tend to be rather grand affairs with impressive architecture. And, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of a landscaped garden.

During the early part of the 20th century though, many of Russia’s aristocratic families (including the family of the last emperor) ended up being killed or moving abroad . Their manor houses were nationalized. Some time later (after the fall of the USSR) these were open to the public. It means that today a great many of Moscow’s finest manor houses and palaces are open for touring.

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There are 20 manor houses scattered throughout the city and more than 25 in the area around. But not all of them easily accessible and exploring them often takes a lot of time. I’d recommend focusing on three most popular estates in Moscow that are some 30-minute metro ride away from Kremlin.

Sandwiched between the Moscow River and the Andropov Avenue, Kolomenskoye is a UNESCO site that became a public park in the 1920’s. Once a former royal estate, now it is one of the most tranquil parks in the city with gorgeous views. The Ascension Church, The White Column, and the grounds are a truly grand place to visit.

You could easily spend a full day here, exploring a traditional Russian village (that is, in fact, a market), picnicking by the river, enjoying the Eastern Orthodox church architecture, hiking the grounds as well as and wandering the park and gardens with wildflower meadows, apple orchards, and birch and maple groves. The estate museum showcases Russian nature at its finest year-round.

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If my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow was a family tree, Tsaritsyno Park would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a large park in the south of the city of mind-boggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most travelers have never heard of it.

The palace was supposed to be a summer home for Empress Catherine the Great. But since the construction didn’t meet with her approval the palace was abandoned. Since the early 1990’s the palace, the pond, and the grounds have been undergoing renovations. The entire complex is now looking brighter and more elaborately decorated than at possibly any other time during its history. Like most parks in Moscow, you can visit Tsaritsyno free of charge, but there is a small fee if you want to visit the palace.

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Last, but by no means least on my Moscow itinerary is Kuskovo Park . This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path place. While it is not easily accessible, you will be rewarded with a lack of crowds. This 18th-century summer country house of the Sheremetev family was one of the first summer country estates of the Russian nobility. And when you visit you’ll quickly realize why locals love this park.

Like many other estates, Kuskovo has just been renovated. So there are lovely French formal garden, a grotto, and the Dutch house to explore. Make sure to plan your itinerary well because the estate is some way from a metro station.

Day 6 – Explore the Golden Ring

Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a “theme route” devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

Having started in Moscow the route will take you through a number of historical cities. It now includes Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. All these awe-inspiring towns have their own smaller kremlins and feature dramatic churches with onion-shaped domes, tranquil residential areas, and other architectural landmarks.

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I only visited two out of eight cities included on the route. It is a no-brainer that Sergiev Posad is the nearest and the easiest city to see on a day trip from Moscow. That being said, you can explore its main attractions in just one day. Located some 70 km north-east of the Russian capital, this tiny and overlooked town is home to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, UNESCO Site.

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Sergiev Posad is often described as being at the heart of Russian spiritual life. So it is uncommon to see the crowds of Russian pilgrims showing a deep reverence for their religion. If you’re traveling independently and using public transport, you can reach Sergiev Posad by bus (departs from VDNKh) or by suburban commuter train from Yaroslavskaya Railway Station (Bahnhof). It takes about one and a half hours to reach the town.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a great place to get a glimpse of filling and warming Russian lunch, specifically at the “ Gostevaya Izba ” restaurant. Try the duck breast, hearty potato and vegetables, and the awesome Napoleon cake.

Day 7 – Gorky Park, Izmailovo Kremlin, Patriarch’s Ponds

Metro Station: Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya on Circle Line / Partizanskaya on Dark Blue Line / Pushkinskaya on Dark Green Line

Gorky Park is in the heart of Moscow. It offers many different types of outdoor activities, such as dancing, cycling, skateboarding, walking, jogging, and anything else you can do in a park. Named after Maxim Gorky, this sprawling and lovely park is where locals go on a picnic, relax and enjoy free yoga classes. It’s a popular place to bike around, and there is a Muzeon Art Park not far from here. A dynamic location with a younger vibe. There is also a pier, so you can take a cruise along the river too.

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The Kremlin in Izmailovo is by no means like the one you can find near the Red Square. Originally built for decorative purposes, it now features the Vernissage flea market and a number of frequent fairs, exhibitions, and conferences. Every weekend, there’s a giant flea market in Izmailovo, where dozens of stalls sell Soviet propaganda crap, Russian nesting dolls, vinyl records, jewelry and just about any object you can imagine. Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

All the Bulgakov’s fans should pay a visit to Patriarch’s Ponds (yup, that is plural). With a lovely small city park and the only one (!) pond in the middle, the location is where the opening scene of Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita was set. The novel is centered around a visit by Devil to the atheistic Soviet Union is considered by many critics to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. I spent great two hours strolling the nearby streets and having lunch in the hipster cafe.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To conclude, Moscow is a safe city to visit. I have never had a problem with getting around and most locals are really friendly once they know you’re a foreigner. Moscow has undergone some serious reconstruction over the last few years. So you can expect some places to be completely different. I hope my one week Moscow itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 4 days or 5 days, I would cut out day 6 and day 7. You could save the Golden Ring for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

What are your thoughts on this one week Moscow itinerary? Are you excited about your first time in the city? Let me know in the comments below!

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24 comments.

Ann Snook-Moreau

Moscow looks so beautiful and historic! Thanks for including public transit information for those of us who don’t like to rent cars.

MindTheTravel

Yup, that is me 🙂 Rarely rent + stick to the metro = Full wallet!

Mariella Blago

Looks like you had loads of fun! Well done. Also great value post for travel lovers.

Thanks, Mariella!

I have always wanted to go to Russia, especially Moscow. These sights look absolutely beautiful to see and there is so much history there!

Agree! Moscow is a thousand-year-old city and there is definitely something for everyone.

Tara Pittman

Those are amazing buildings. Looks like a place that would be amazing to visit.

Adriana Lopez

Never been to Moscow or Russia but my family has. Many great spots and a lot of culture. Your itinerary sounds fantastic and covers a lot despite it is only a short period of time.

What was their favourite thing about Russia?

Gladys Parker

I know very little about Moscow or Russia for the\at matter. I do know I would have to see the Red Square and all of its exquisite architectural masterpieces. Also the CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR. Thanks for shedding some light on visiting Moscow.

Thanks for swinging by! The Red Square is a great starting point, but there way too many places and things to discover aside from it!

Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen

You are making me so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to see Russia.

Moscow is in my bucket list, I don’t know when I can visit there, your post is really useful. As a culture rich place we need to spend at least week.

DANA GUTKOWSKI

Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for all the great info! I’ve never been in to Russia, but this post makes me wanna go now!

Wow this is amazing! Moscow is on my bucket list – such an amazing place to visit I can imagine! I can’t wait to go there one day!

The building on the second picture looks familiar. I keep seeing that on TV.

Reesa Lewandowski

What beautiful moments! I always wish I had the personality to travel more like this!

Perfect itinerary for spending a week in Moscow! So many places to visit and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I would love to climb that tower. The views I am sure must have been amazing!

I was lucky enough to see the skyline of Moscow from this TV Tower and it is definitely mind-blowing.

Chelsea Pearl

Moscow is definitely up there on my travel bucket list. So much history and iconic architecture!

Thumbs up! 🙂

Blair Villanueva

OMG I dream to visit Moscow someday! Hope the visa processing would be okay (and become more affordable) so I could pursue my dream trip!

Yup, visa processing is the major downside! Agree! Time and the money consuming process…

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