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Travel Essentials

The Convenience of Cash Alternatives

 

Losing your money is upsetting at any time, but losing it when you're away from home can be devastating. You should carry some local currency for tipping, taxis and small purchases, but you shouldn't need to carry a lot of cash with you: there are alternatives that we think are safer and more convenient.

American Express®2 Travellers Cheques

You should consider having the bulk of your funds in the form of American Express Travellers Cheques. American Express is the #1 issuer of travellers cheques all over the globe, and here are just a few reasons why:

  1. Easy To Manage, And Safer Than Cash
    If cash is lost or stolen, it's gone forever. If American Express Travellers Cheques are lost or stolen, they can be replaced with a single phone call – usually within 24 hours. They are the safe way to protect yourself against an early end to vacation or business travel.
  2. A Variety of Currencies and Denominations
    American Express Travellers Cheques are available in a wide variety of currencies and denominations
  3. How To Use Your Travellers Cheques
    Immediately sign each cheque in the top left corner to help protect yourself in case of loss or theft.
    Keep separate. Keep your cheques' serial numbers with you when you travel, but keep them separate from your cheques.
    Safeguard your travellers cheques as you would a like amount of cash.
    Countersign. When you are ready to use your cheques, countersign each cheque in front of the teller or cashier.
  4. Where To Use Your Travellers Cheques
    You can either:
    Exchange your travellers cheques for local currency in your destination, or
    Use your travellers cheques to pay directly for goods and services at accepting retailers, restaurants, and hotels.
  5. Exchanging Your Travellers Cheques For Local Currency
    There are thousands of banks and foreign exchange locations in countries around the world where you can exchange your travellers cheques for local currency.
    • Photo identification may be required.
    • We strongly recommend you retain and carry your original purchase receipt with you when you travel.
    • Commission charges may apply and can vary by country or exchange partner.
    • Exchange limits may apply due to local regulations and exchange policies.
  6. Using Your Travellers Cheques To Pay For Goods And Services
    You can use your travellers cheques like cash to pay directly for products and services at accepting retailers, restaurants, and hotels.
    • Photo identification may be required.
    • We cannot guarantee that all places accept travellers cheques as a form of payment.
  7. For Refunds And Customer Service
    Help is available 24 hours a day, wherever you travel. Call immediately for assistance with any of the following:
    • You encounter an issue while trying to use your cheques
    • A service provider is unfamiliar with how to accept your cheques
    • To obtain a refund for lost or stolen cheques

    WHEN IN: CALL:
    USA 1 800 221 7282
    Spain 900 810 029
    Italy 800 914 912
    France 0800 832 820
    Canada 1 866 296 5198

    For other locations not listed, visit americanexpress.com/useTC

    Note: There have been changes in the way travellers cheques are used in some markets such as the UK and mainland Europe. You should plan to exchange your travellers cheques into local currency at one of the numerous banks and postal outlets, rather than use as a form of payment directly at merchants.

Traveller's Tip

To locate merchants around the world who cash American Express Travellers Cheques without charging an encashment fee, please visit americanexpress.com/useTC.

Record the serial numbers of your cheques as you use them, and keep this list separate from the numbers of your unused cheques. This makes replacement easier if they are lost or stolen.

American Express Travellers Cheques are available to you COMMISSION-FREE1 as part of your RBC® account or RBC credit card. To order American Express Travellers Cheques, visit your nearest RBC Royal Bank branch.

RBC Royal Bank Credit Cards

As a traveller, you'll definitely be interested in our U.S. Dollar Visa Gold Card or our RBC Royal Bank Visa Platinum Avion. These cards offer the flexibility and security of higher credit limits and extensive insurance coverage, plus other great benefits. RBC Royal Bank offers a wide variety of credit cards, with one that's sure to be suited to your needs. You can find the Visa/PLUS System ATM nearest you on Visa's ATM locator.

RBC Royal Bank Client Card

RBC Royal Bank Client Cards are widely accepted around the world at Automated Teller Machines that display the PLUS System and Interac* symbols. ATMs are a fast and easy way to access your Canadian dollar accounts and receive local currency. Find out more about using ATMs outside Canada.

Cross-border shopping just got easier

1 American Express Travellers Cheques are offered commission free to the following RBC Royal Bank credit cardholders: Visa Infinite Avion® , Visa Platinum Avion®, RBC® Rewards Visa Preferred, RBC® Rewards Visa Preferred, U.S. Dollar Visa Gold and RBC Rewards® Visa Gold cardholders.
* Royal Bank of Canada, licensee of trade-mark.
® Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada.
®2 Used by Amex Canada Inc., under license by American Express.

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Related Links
  U.S. Banking Services
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  Travel HealthProtector
  Cross-border Debit
 
06/01/2011 09:26:44