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About Travelers Cheques and Foreign Currency
Purchasing and Using Travelers Cheques
Passport and Credit Card Replacement Assistance
Why are Travelers Cheques considered the World’s
Safest Currency?
Travelers Cheques are considered the World’s Safest Currency because
if they are ever lost or stolen, they can be replaced quickly and
easily, almost anywhere in the world, usually within 24 hours.
Travelers Cheques are simply safer than cash, and provide peace of
mind while you travel. They also allow you to budget, track and
control your travel expenses easily. In addition, American Express
Travelers Cheques are the most widely used and recognized travel
currency in the world.
What types of Travelers Cheques are available?
In addition to Travelers Cheques issued in U.S. dollars, American
Express offers Cheques for Two and
Foreign Currency Travelers Cheques.
When should I travel with Cheques for Two?
Cheques for Two are perfect for traveling couples and families.
They offer all the convenience of Travelers Cheques, but with a unique
dual signature feature that allows either of you to purchase them and
either of you to use them.
What types of Foreign Currency Travelers Cheques are
available?
Foreign Currency Travelers Cheques are available in the following
currencies and can be used wherever these currencies are accepted:
Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Euro, Japanese Yen and Pound
Sterling. You can also purchase
Foreign
Currency through American Express. By purchasing Foreign Currency
Travelers Cheques and foreign currency before your trip, you can take
advantage of competitive exchange rates.
Where and when can I use the Euro notes and Euro
Travelers Cheques?
The Euro is currently in use in the following 12 European countries:
Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain.
Where are Travelers Cheques accepted?
American Express Travelers Cheques are recognized worldwide. In the
U.S. they can be used like cash at retail locations, hotels and
restaurants. Outside the U.S. they can be used like cash at many
locations, or exchanged for local currency at banks, currency
exchanges, and American Express Travel Service locations.
Can I accept Travelers Cheques from another person?
Yes, you can accept Travelers Cheques from another person. However,
you must watch the person countersign the Cheque in the lower left
corner and make sure it matches the signature in the upper left
corner. If the Cheque has already been signed in both the upper and
lower left, please call American Express at the number below before
accepting the Cheque. After accepting a valid Cheque, you can only
deposit it into your own bank account. If you have questions about
accepting a Cheque, just call American Express at 1-800-525-7641 (from
inside the U.S). Outside the U.S., call an American Express Travelers
Cheque Customer Service Center. For details, click the first letter of
the country in which you need assistance:
A-C
D-K
L-R
S-Z
Do Travelers Cheques ever expire?
No. Cheques do not expire. Unused Travelers Cheques can be used for a
future trip, or like cash at locations in your area.
What should be done with a deceased person's unused
Travelers Cheques?
The estate beneficiary or executor should take the Travelers Cheques
along with the death certificate and any other estate papers
designating the beneficiary, to their (or the estate's) bank, and
instruct the bank to contact American Express at 1-800-525-7641 (from
inside the U.S). Outside the U.S., they can contact an American
Express Travelers Cheque Customer Service Center. For details, click
the first letter of the country in which you need assistance:
A-C
D-K
L-R
S-Z.
Where do I sign my Travelers Cheques?
Travelers Cheques must be signed in the upper left-hand corner
in order to be reimbursable if they're lost or stolen. Cheques for
Two are designed for two travelers and must be signed by both of
them in the upper left-hand corner. All Travelers Cheques
should be signed as soon as possible after purchase.
How do I cash Travelers Cheques?
To cash a Travelers Cheque, date it in the upper right-hand corner
(just like a personal check), and fill out the "pay to the order" line
(or have the cashier do it). Then countersign the Cheque in the
lower left-hand corner. Make sure the cashier watches as you sign
so your signature can be verified. If you encounter difficulties in
cashing a Cheque in the U.S., encourage the cashier or merchant to
call American Express for instructions at 1-800-525-7641. Outside the
U.S., the merchant can call an American Express Travelers Cheque
Customer Service Center. For details, click the first letter of the
country in which you need assistance:
A-C
D-K
L-R
S-Z.
What happens if I sign my Travelers Cheques in the
wrong place, or if my signatures don't match?
Before accepting your Travelers Cheque, a cashier must watch you
countersign it in the lower left-hand corner, and compare that
signature with the original signature in the upper left-hand
corner. If the signatures are a reasonable match, the Cheque should be
accepted. If the merchant is unsure, he or she should call American
Express with any concerns or questions at 1-800-525-7641 (inside the
U.S.). Merchants outside the U.S. can call an American Express
Travelers Cheque Customer Service Center. For details, click on the
first letter of the country in which you need assistance:
A-C
D-K
L-R
S-Z.
Do I get change back if I do not use the full face
value of a Cheque?
Yes, Cheques work just like cash and you will receive change back.
Is there a fee to cash Travelers Cheques?
Normally there are no fees to cash Travelers Cheques at merchants.
However, some banks and business, primarily outside the U.S., may
charge a fee.
Where can I purchase Travelers Cheques and foreign
currency?
You can purchase Foreign Currency Travelers Cheques and foreign
currency
online
. You can also purchase them, as well as US dollar Travelers Cheques and Cheques for Two®,
at participating banks, credit unions and
American Express Travel Service locations* . American Express
Cardmembers can also purchase them through our Travel Funds DirectSM
service at 1-800-721-9768.
In what denominations are Euro Travelers Cheques
available?
Euro Travelers Cheques are available in denominations of €50, €100,
and €200.
Is there a fee to purchase Foreign Currency Travelers
Cheques or foreign currency?
When purchasing Foreign Currency Travelers Cheques or foreign currency
online, there is a $15 fee per order, plus shipping and handling. When
purchasing by phone, the fee is waived for American Express Gold Card
and Platinum Card members. However, the shipping and handling charges
still apply. When purchasing in person, the fee will vary, depending
on the establishment. Some establishments offer Travelers Cheques
products fee-free to their customers. Platinum Card members can
purchase them fee-free at any American Express Travel Service
location.
How are Foreign Currency Travelers Cheques and
foreign currency delivered when ordered online?
Foreign Currency Travelers Cheques and foreign currency ordered online
or by phone are delivered to your home or office via insured
First-Class mail. Or you can specify Next-Day or Saturday delivery for
a nominal fee.
Is there a limit to the amount of Foreign Currency
Travelers Cheques and foreign currency I can purchase online at one
time?
You cannot purchase more than $1,000 in Foreign Currency Travelers
Cheques and foreign currency online within a 14-day period. American
Express chooses to limit purchase amounts to protect our customers and ourselves against any
unauthorized transactions.
How do I pay for Foreign Currency Travelers Cheques
and foreign currency online?
You can purchase all Foreign Currency Travelers Cheques and foreign
currency online using the American Express Card® , Visa®
or MasterCard®. When purchasing by phone, you can use the
American Express Card to pay with a cash advance, or an Express Cash
transaction, or a checking account debit. Some institutions that sell
Travelers Cheques may allow them to be charged to credit cards.
Can I earn Membership Rewards®
points when I purchase Travelers Cheques or foreign currency?
No. Membership Rewards enrollees cannot earn Membership Rewards
program points for purchasing Travelers Cheques or foreign currency.
What happens if my Cheques are lost or stolen?
Lost or
stolen Travelers Cheques can be replaced quickly and easily,
almost anywhere in the world, usually within 24 hours. Instructions
for replacing lost or stolen Travelers Cheques are provided when you
purchase your Cheques. Foreign currency purchased through American
Express is not refundable if lost or stolen.
What is Passport Replacement Assistance?
Passport Replacement Assistance is available to you when carrying
American Express Travelers Cheques, whether or not you've lost a
Cheque. In the event that you lose your passport, you should phone an
American Express Travelers Cheque Service Center as soon as possible.
Our representatives will provide you with the phone numbers for the
nearest consulate or embassy and transfer your call. They can also
provide assistance with obtaining the procedures, documents and
passport requirements needed to have your passport replaced and
re-issued. In certain countries, you may have access to a
passport-expediting agency to speed the re-issue process along. Terms
and conditions apply.
What is Credit Card Replacement Assistance?
Credit Card Replacement Assistance is available to you when carrying
American Express Travelers Cheques, whether or not you've lost a
Cheque. In the event that you lose your major credit cards, you should
phone an American Express Travelers Cheque Service Center as soon as
possible. Our representatives will provide you with the phone numbers
for most financial institutions that issue major credit cards. If the
issuing bank phone number is not available, the appropriate issuing
card association can be contacted for further assistance. If needed, a
Customer Service Representative can transfer your call to one or more
financial institutions to start the cancellation/replacement process.
Terms and conditions apply.
What happens if I lose my passport and/or major
credit cards, but not my Travelers Cheques?
Passport and Credit Card Replacement Assistance is available to you
when carrying American Express Travelers Cheques whether or not you've
lost a Cheque. In the event that you lose your passport or credit
cards, you should phone an American Express Travelers Cheque Service
Center as soon as possible. You will be asked to provide the serial
numbers of your Cheques. Keep a record of the serial numbers separate
from your Cheques, passport and major credit cards.
How much do Passport and Credit Card Replacement
Assistance cost?
As a valued American Express Travelers Cheques customer, there is no
additional charge for Passport and Credit Card Replacement Assistance
provided by American Express. However, any fees associated with
passport or major credit card replacement (i.e., passport replacement
fees, government fees, expediting agency fees, etc) are your
responsibility.
Passport and Credit Card Replacement Assistance Services are available
to American Express Travelers Cheque purchasers and holders. Proof of
Travelers Cheque purchase may be required before assistance services
are provided. Credit Card Replacement Assistance applies only to major
bank issued credit cards. Store, gasoline, calling cards and frequent
flier cards are not available for assistance service. Services involve
obtaining necessary telephone contact numbers for passport and/or
credit card replacement, transferring a customer's call to such
contact numbers, and providing other information to assist customers
in the replacement process. Any fees associated with passport or
credit card replacement, i.e. passport replacement fees, government
fees, expediting agency fees, etc. are the sole responsibility of the
customer.
* Not all services are available at all locations, and are subject to
local laws and cash availability.
For other questions regarding Travelers Cheques and foreign
currency available from American Express, please contact a customer
service representative at 1-800-221-7282.
Terms
& Conditions.
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