Travelers Checks?

GregYohn says on Jul 9, 2008, 10:36:

Hola!

Best to bring your ATM card!

Take out what you need and then give the rest to your relatives, friends, or just keep for your next trip back! Buying Pesos in the USA gives a bad exchange rate! Get your pesos at the ATM machine at the airport after you land, even if you need to go to the departure side!

I loaned a Colombian money and gained $25 since the DOLLAR crashed!

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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Azul says on Jul 9, 2008, 10:39:

Don't bring travelers checks.....basically worthless in Colombia

las cosas caen por su propio peso

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bamacellist says on Jul 9, 2008, 10:41:

I took traveler's checks my first visit and not after and will not bother again. Not all places that change money take them - it can be difficult to find one, and the rate is a little lower than for cash. The common and best advice is to withdraw cash from an ATM, although you may want to shop around and open an account (here) with a bank that offers the lowest fees. You can research that here, and there are travel sites that offer this kind of info. I use Compass Bank, myself. Also, tell them in advance you'll be using the card abroad so they don't stop your account for fears of misuse when they see these transactions! Good luck!

"The future is much like the present, only longer."

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aztec says on Jul 9, 2008, 10:42:

Do not bring travelers checks. Worse problem I had in reference to securing cash. Too easy to use your ATM card.

The only time you might have any trouble is when you first get there and don't have access to peso's. Look around and you will find ATM's. Just be careful and be aware of your surroundings.

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RUV says on Jul 9, 2008, 11:10:

I took TC and it was a pain to cash. I had to go to a bank and wait in those long lines.

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marbelmorales says on Jul 9, 2008, 11:27:

how is the cost of living there? for example, what can I expect to pay for a nice meal at a nice restaurant, a taxi cab etc...

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

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marbelmorales says on Jul 9, 2008, 11:32:

I'm surprised! I would have assumed that banks would be ok exchanging the traveler's cheks....

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

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dwmte7 says on Jul 9, 2008, 11:44:

forget travellers checks...total pain in the ass and useless. use your atm card.

dwmte

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Chriscan says on Jul 9, 2008, 11:49:

If you are stupid and do bring them, some Bancolombias will change them. Usually only one branch in town, sometimes only in the morning.

Traveler's cheques really are a rip off unless you are traveling in North america or Europe then they are only a bit of a rip[ off.

For security, get as many bank and credit cards as you can. Always try to have some seperate so all your eggs aren't in the same basket.

************* WARNING ************* my words often come from my ass

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mcheasley says on Jul 9, 2008, 12:11:

Hi Marble, After reading the above comments i'm afraid to say anything, but here goes!!! I dont carry Capital one ATM cards 0% fee.....( I have BOA ) so there is a 3% fee for international transactions.... I actually get the best rate for AMEX traveler checks when in Medellin at Bancolombia and I use different branches... If you are going to use traveler checks i reccommend large denomination as there is paperwork for each check.. Thats my experience.....

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marbelmorales says on Jul 9, 2008, 12:14:

Thanks for the advice all! really appreciate it

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

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dwmte7 says on Jul 9, 2008, 13:08:

m cheasley....i have no clue what my bank charges for inter. trans. i use wachovia. however, the ease, no matter what it costs is worth it. i've had a bic (bancolombia) account since '89 and no matter, i still hate travellers checks.

dwmte

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ColombianoGringo says on Jul 9, 2008, 13:14:

Marbel,

Since you live in Houston, you are eligible to open a free Capital One Checking or Money Market account. It is well worth it. I opened an account there just to use the debit card in Colombia.

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marbelmorales says on Jul 9, 2008, 14:13:

There is a Capital One down the street from me, I shall visit them tomorrow, thanks! :)

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

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Gator says on Jul 9, 2008, 14:19:

Waste of time, effort and exchange rate.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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sanandressi says on Jul 9, 2008, 14:37:

they are still safe if lost or stolen but are a hassle indeed

Support Plan Colombia, re-elect ilena Ros-Lehtinen

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ColombianoGringo says on Jul 9, 2008, 14:38:

I would hate to try to get traveler's checks replaced in Colombia. That sounds like a hassle best avoided.

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sloopskipper says on Jul 9, 2008, 16:27:

Use your American Express credit card instead of traveler's checks. I used at BanColombia ATMs. It's a slam dunk.

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getting better says on Jul 9, 2008, 17:31:

Actually it is easy to get them replaced. Many years ago I was foolish enough to bring some travellers checks to Colombia. I went round many banks trying to change them, bringing out one to show. Somewhere one got lost along the way. Anyway when I eventually after many hours found a bank to change them I seem to remember that the missing one was suprisingly easily replaced and changed as well.

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Sam Salmon says on Jul 9, 2008, 17:52:

"Don't bring travelers checks.....basically worthless in Colombia"

Not at all true-the poster as quoted has NFI what he is talking about.

I've cashed a couple thousand US at a time no probs as long as you go to the right bank and Yes usually in the AM.

' a la orden!'

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Gator says on Jul 9, 2008, 18:58:

Daugher lost hers in Catragena-other than trying to find the damn AMEX office the replacement was a snap-30 minutes tops. But they were a bitch to cash

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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ColombianoGringo says on Jul 9, 2008, 19:21:

I have used traveler's checks in Colombia a few eons ago, but I wouldn't even consider using them these days. They are about as archaic as the letters of credit that Amex would provide for wealthy travelers way back in the day.

I suppose they could serve as an emergency reserve in case one's credit/debit cards are stolen, but besides that they have very little utility.

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Sam Salmon says on Jul 9, 2008, 21:45:

I've said it more than once here-if a person wants more than a couple hundred dollars worth of Pesos then an ATM is NFG.


Carrying cash isn't all that smart so WTF are you gonna do?

' a la orden!'

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adrimm says on Jul 10, 2008, 21:39:

Agreed that the TC process is definitely painful, but useful for larger quantities. If you do have to take them, then once you are registered with a branch, try to keep going to the same branch, same person if you can, to cash others.

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lpdiver says on Jul 11, 2008, 16:14:

I have taken and used travellers checks on several occaisions. They are not as easily cashed as in the US but I had no problems. Yes, you will have to go to a main branch of a bank and yes you will need a person with a cedula, or at least it make things easier.

Lately my strategy is as follows. I ALWAYS have about two grand in cash for emergencies. I carry ATM cards from two different banks and five grand in travellers checks. I have in the past carried a preloaded ATM card that I got from AAA. Generally speaking I try to not use the travellers checks or cash as they are for emergencies.

The only "problem" I have ever had was in getting the money to pay five weeks rent for a stay in Medellin and the landlord gladly gave me three days to make the withdrawals from the ATM.

ts

"cook some rice!"

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dwmte7 says on Jul 13, 2008, 11:46:

this shit still goin on about travellers checks? CHRIST...i thought the poster woulda been clear about 50 comments back.

gist: travellers checks suck...don't buy em...don't bring em...end of story.

dwmte

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