Credit-Card and Cash vs Traveler Cheques in NZ

On Fri, 08 Aug 2003 01:40:44 GMT, Geoff McCaughan
wrote:


  >> Is it necessary to take Traveler Cheques with you for a trip to NZ? I
  >> will always have enough cash, a credit card and my Maestro-(bank)card
  >> with me, but besides all this are TC still usefull?
 >
 >The only reason I can think of to use TC's would be if you want to have an
 >emergency stash that is more theft-proof than cash should you lose your
 >card[s].
 >
 >Your CC and ATM card will be far more useful than TC's.

TC's are much more useful when the ATM machines go down [and it has
happened to me!].


Cath
 >> Stay informed about: Credit-Card and Cash vs Traveler Cheques in NZ 

"Dumping" wrote in message

 > Is it necessary to take Traveler Cheques with you for a trip to NZ? I
 > will always have enough cash, a credit card and my Maestro-(bank)card
 > with me, but besides all this are TC still usefull?
 >
 > Regards,
 >
 > Dum

NO!

Geoff Lillico
 >> Stay informed about: Credit-Card and Cash vs Traveler Cheques in NZ 

Dumping wrote:
 > Is it necessary to take Traveler Cheques with you for a trip to NZ? I
 > will always have enough cash, a credit card and my Maestro-(bank)card
 > with me, but besides all this are TC still usefull?

Can't speak for NZ, but last year we had some difficulties in Oz
because where we 'happened' to be at the time, mainly in the outback,
there *were* no ATMs and the only one was closed because it was in a pub
which did not open till late in the morning. We did not have those
problems on our previous two trips, so we were somewhat taken by suprise
(read: taken by our own 'stupidity').

So make sure that beside the credit cardS (yes, multiple in case one
fails, is not accepted, etc.) you have sufficient cash to get you
through the next few days (including accomodation, fuel, etc.).

Frank "Can't wait to go where there are no ATMs!" Slootweg
 >> Stay informed about: Credit-Card and Cash vs Traveler Cheques in NZ 

TCs would be of little use in NZ as you cannot get NZD and shops will not
cash foreign TCs. If ATMs have gone done (it almost never happens) the banks
will have also gone down and last time they also closed!

NZ has the highest number of EFTPOS terminal per person in the world. Every
shop has one, so the country is very dependent of a robust ATM network.
 >

   > >> Is it necessary to take Traveler Cheques with you for a trip to NZ? I
   > >> will always have enough cash, a credit card and my Maestro-(bank)card
   > >> with me, but besides all this are TC still usefull?
  > >
  > >The only reason I can think of to use TC's would be if you want to have
an
  > >emergency stash that is more theft-proof than cash should you lose your
  > >card[s].
  > >
  > >Your CC and ATM card will be far more useful than TC's.
 >
 > TC's are much more useful when the ATM machines go down [and it has
 > happened to me!].
 >
 > Cath
 >> Stay informed about: Credit-Card and Cash vs Traveler Cheques in NZ 

On Fri, 8 Aug 2003 22:40:46 +1200, "Neil Raines"
wrote:

 >TCs would be of little use in NZ as you cannot get NZD

I never had any problem cashing TC's totally in excess of US$10,000 at
any bank - NO FEES.
The only time I was required to fill out a form with my name &
address was if the tc's totalled more than IIRC NZ$500.
Sure if a weekend is coming up, you plan ahead and cash what you need.
If your near a tourist spot, there are places that will gladly cash
them ie: airport, hotel lobby etc.

 > and shops will not cash foreign TCs.

I would expect not UNLESS they are made out in the currency of the
land ie: in NZ$ if in NZ.
Travellers today rely so much on the convenience of credit cards
[which I don't have] - wonder how many used to travel in the days
before credit cards!

Sure I use my ATM card when travelling in the US.


Cath
 >> Stay informed about: Credit-Card and Cash vs Traveler Cheques in NZ 

Frank Slootweg wrote:

 > So make sure that beside the credit cardS (yes, multiple in case one
 > fails, is not accepted, etc.) you have sufficient cash to get you
 > through the next few days (including accomodation, fuel, etc.).

This is good advice no matter where you're going. My list of tips is:

Make sure each person has their own card.

If possible carry more than one type of card [i.e. not all from the same
bank]. ATM cards work pretty much everywhere, but CC's can be zip-zapped if
the network is down.

Make photocopies of both sides of all cards you carry [do this for the photo
page of passports, tickets etc too]. Each person should carry the copies for
another person. Keep these safe [i.e. on your person at all times].

Carry an emergency stash of TC's or cash. If your stash is TC's, carry some
cash too.

Make sure you know the number[s] to call in the case of lost/stolen cards.
 >> Stay informed about: Credit-Card and Cash vs Traveler Cheques in NZ 

Geoff McCaughan wrote:

 > If possible carry more than one type of card [i.e. not all from the same
 > bank]. ATM cards work pretty much everywhere, but CC's can be zip-zapped if
 > the network is down.

One more thing: If any of your cards are a bit tired, get them replaced
before you leave, and don't forget to ensure the replacement works.
 >> Stay informed about: Credit-Card and Cash vs Traveler Cheques in NZ