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Traveler's checks

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by mted58, Aug 23, 2012.

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  1. mted58

    mted58 Tourist

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    I recently found out that traveler's checks are no longer being issued. Does anyone have any input, suggestions, etc in regard to not being able to get traveler's checks and what to use in place of?
     
  2. luvstp

    luvstp High-Roller

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    How much money are you talking about? Anything less than $5K, I would just bring cash with me or send it ahead as front money (whole thread about this on the board). Alternatively, set up a line of credit at the hotel you are staying/playing at and draw from that. Lines of credit are very easy (lots of info on this board on athat as well) if you've kept a sufficient balance in your checking account.

    There is always the ATM and the associated fees. Really depends on the dollars you are talking about.
     
  3. mted58

    mted58 Tourist

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    thanks, I'll read up on that. Just really uncomfortable carrying large amounts of cash. Just call me paranoid!!!!
     
  4. JosieCat

    JosieCat VIP Whale

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    I can still get them at my bank, US bank. If you can find them, you will have no trouble using them in Vegas.
     
  5. earth-3

    earth-3 VIP Whale

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    My bank can get them with for a fee, you just have to order them ahead of time. They no longer carry them for a walk-in purchase and there is a minimum order quantity besides.
     
  6. Slotchick

    Slotchick High-Roller

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    I had not heard about this definately something to look into.. wonder if it's bank specific? We are in Canada and can still get them and I've not heard they are no longer being issued here.
     
  7. jgates8

    jgates8 VIP Whale

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    Fewer & fewer banks in US carry them - the companies that issue them are trying to get people to go with a 'travel card' (DO NOT USE THIS AS ATM SURCHARGE FEES, CASH OUT FEES, ETC ARE RIDICULOUS on these travel cards). Even my AAA offices (2 within an hour) no longer carry them.

    For me the fees that one bank still had that I could get to go pick up were actually even higher than doing the ATM fees for the amount I wanted (XX per $100 worth of checks).

    I used to write checks at the hotel but the new check cashing company limited me to $400 EVERY TWELVE DAYS on an account with a 4 figure average balance that had been open since February 1980. Well after two trips of that I called the check cashing company & blew a gasket & they upped it to $2400. But they had made me so mad I opened a credit line with Paris. A CL at a CET prop is dedicated to THAT property but you can get one at another property with a lot more ease once you are established (per my host). I figured I could easily walk to Paris even when I was staying at Flamingo & if I was in a desperate hurry I would just write a regular check at Flamingo cage.
     
  8. DReynolds86

    DReynolds86 Let's Go Pens!

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    No travelers' checks? President McKinley will be outraged! Outraged I tells ya!

    But seriously, step into the 21st century. Get a credit card with fraud protection, and pay it off when you get home. For cash, get a locking canvas bag from your bank.
     
  9. mted58

    mted58 Tourist

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    Our bank doesn't have them anymore. And our local AAA office only carries the "card" now. We only use them for our cash, otherwise we use debit/credit card. Maybe look into LOC. Not sure about that.
     
  10. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Local AAA offices are all independent. Our local office still has them w/o a fee.
     
  11. Bazzito52

    Bazzito52 Low-Roller

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    Well, I'm a fan of casino "credit," which is, in fact, misnamed. Luvstp is correct, in that casino credit is actually check cashing privileges allowed by the casino.

    After you submit a credit application to the casino, (it may be downloadable off of their web site, or they'll email you one if you call) they call your bank and verify the average balance of your checking account. They do not check your credit rating or credit score. It only concerns your checking account balance and history.

    Upon approval, you can both draw markers to play at the tables or you can cash personal checks at the casino cage. The markers are actrually negotiable bank checks that the casino can present to your bank for payment, should you not redeem them at the conclusion of your stay.

    I use my line of credit at three different casinos to cash checks to use for both gambling and expense money. No ATM fees, no charges for travelers checks, etc. It's worked out very well for my visits, and I used to always use travelers checks.
     
  12. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    you still haven't mentioned how much money you're talking about here. there's lots of different possibilities, but the best one greatly depends on the amount of money. $2k vs $20k makes a big difference in the best strategy.
     
  13. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    that's not really true. it has been reported by many people that they do check your credit score sometimes. especially if it's your first credit line that you've ever setup and have no history with Central Credit.
     
  14. Bazzito52

    Bazzito52 Low-Roller

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    Well, I can always stand corrected.

    They didn't check my credit, but that's been a few years ago.

    And now they even check your credit score when you by auto insurance and the like. So, you're probably right.

    They also have "Not to be used for identification" on you Social Security card, and who believes that anymore.....
     
  15. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    I still pick up traveler's checks. I can get them from my credit union for free. They are still cashable at the casinos (unless I hear otherwise).

    If I travel to other US locations I still pick up tc's. I usually charge all the big ticket items but I still need some cash for the small stuff.

    As others have done, I take out markers for most of my vegas expenses (gambling, food, shopping) and use my cc to charge the other stuff but I still take some tc's along just in case.

    And as others have said, it all depends on your $ amount, some people easily carry around $2k or 3k in cash but for amounts larger than $5k I would recommend tc's or markers, or debit or cc's (wire $ to the casino), etc.

    For me, tc's still are one of the easier ways to handle money but guess they are the dinosaurs with most people doing plastic nowadays.
     
  16. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    What good would a "locking canvas bag" do? My thinking is that would be more apt to be stolen, etc.

    This topic comes up often and many folks here say they regularly take 5-10,000 in cash. Some in pockets. Some in carry on bag. We do it all the time and we travel ALOT.

    ATMs are another option, but you have to pay $5 every time you want a $1,000.
     
  17. mted58

    mted58 Tourist

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    our cash is usually only about $2500 to $3000 so I guess we'll just carry the cash. everything else is on the cc or debit card. The cash is mainly for tips, cabs, gambling, etc
     
  18. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    that much will fold up and fit in your pocket like it's not even there. wrap a couple of rubber bands around it and you're good to go.
     
  19. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    My normal (at home) walking around money is often a $1,000. No big deal. I fold it in half and keep it in my pocket. In Vegas, it might be more like $2k. If I expect a long night, I might put another $2-3k in my back pocket.
     
  20. DReynolds86

    DReynolds86 Let's Go Pens!

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    How in the blue hell are they going to get into it if you have the only key?
     
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