We're doing Road to Rome Aug29/09. I was planning on taking some cash and some travellers cheques. I've read that most major hotels will cash them at front desk. Is that true, and do they charge a fee for this? We are staying at
Thistle Marble Arch in London
Pullman Paris Tour Effel in Paris
AStoria Hotel in Lucerne
Renaissance Salzburg
Saint Elena in Venice
Grand Hotel Nizza & Suisse Montecatini
Miton Hotel Rome

I guess hotels will still cash Traveelers' Cheques but the rate they give is very much in their favour. Have you thought about a card to use in an ATM which will mean more cash of course but at least you'll know the rate before you leave? If you search under FIND tab at the top I'm sure you'll get some recent posts on the use of TCs - I don't use them any more myself instead use cash and ATMs (and credit cards for large purchases).

I agree with Colleen. Just when you need some money the most, you can't find anywhere to cash your cheques. Best in this computer age to use the ATM's which are all over and give the best exchange rate. One piece of advice, inform your financial institution of your plans so they will not put a hold on your cards when a transaction happens in Italy,,etc...this is true for both credit and debit cards.

I take a variety of options with me whenever I travel.

Cash, Debit Card and Traveller's Cheques.

I have never ever had a problem cashing in traveller's cheques, but I usually get them in the denomitation I am using, ie. Pounds Sterling for UK and Euro's for Europe. I have only ever been charged commission when cashing in a beaureau de change, never when using in a hotel (generally your bigger hotels like Sheraton's or Hilton's) or using to pay for optionals.

I do however find that the debit cards are great. I particularly like the Travelex card as it has no detail on it, no signature etc, so if you lose it, it is pretty useless unless someone is INCREDIBLY lucky and can guess your pin number. You can easily obtain another card if you lose it. You can also arrange to transfer more funds onto the Travelex card need be by using BPAY.

You do get charged for each transaction, but most cards incur a charge and if it is no more than the price of a cup of coffee, well that is not that bad in the whole scheme of things.

I'm not too far off leaving for my next trip and I already have my traveller's cheques, Travelex card loaded and my cash organised. Been busy loading up the travelex cards with the Euro and the pound being such good buying in Australia. Much better rates than last year!!

You may not get charged commission in hotels but have a look at the exchange rate being offered.

Colleen, I got Euro for Euro in the hotels, so there was no exchange rate.

I'm impressed but have you never run into any problems cashing the cheques? I know that the last time I was in Paris (the last year of French francs) the hotel refused to cash the FF TCs claiming they had not enough change - as it was a Sofitel I didn't actually believe them but this led to lots of problems and I won't use them anymore.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Colleen,

Traveller's cheques are pretty much a "thing of the past" in Europe. I would strongly urge you to simply use ATMs; they are everywhere and will give you an excellent exchange rate.

thanks everyone, I think I'll go with ATM's, I'd better raise my daily limit I guess

Have a great trip and look forward to hearing about it when you come back.