Travelers checks in Scotland

[Alan H]

Should we get them?

We have upgraded our credit cards to "chip and pin" and Joan has acquired a Schwab card/account which should allow us to use ATM machines more or less anywhere we can find one. Has anybody used Travelers Checks in Scotland in the past few years?

[Jock Scot]

I dont know about Travellers Cheques Alan, but I suppose it would not hurt to have a few handy.

I was a visitor within my own country last week, when we went to the Western Isles and you may find this helpful. We stayed in a couple of hotels and the credit card was perfectly acceptable. We stayed mainly in B&B's(very good they were too) and they all dealt solely in cash. We met with a charming American couple who had been travelling in Scotland for six weeks(with another four to go!!!!) and we were talking about B&B's and apparently it is not unusual for them not to accept cheques, or credit cards---cash only. The trick is, it seems, when booking your accomodation, you ask whether they take credit cards, cheques, or cash.

I think particularly in the Highlands and Islands where towns, with banks and supermarkets with "money machines", are quite some way apart and this might catch you out if you are not prepared for it. Post offices, some garages, have "money machines" too, but that does require local knowledge that a visitor may not have.

Have fun!

[Carlo]

I don't think that Travellers Cheques will be a great help.
My bank in Switzerland does not offer Travellers Cheques anymore (noone uses them anymore), so it might actually be even harder to find a place where you can cash them in than it is to find a "money machines".

I'd rather have some cash on me, and as long as you don't wave it around, nobody will know. Oh, and I travelled by bus, train... stayed in Youth Hostels and worse, and I never had a problem.

[Grizzled Ian]

Last used travellers cheques in Thailand early '90's. Took plastic 2002 to UK and Europe (Czech Rep, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and France), and again 2012, but add Ethiopia and Turkey. No problems anywhere. If you take AMEX, take an alternate as well (eg Visa or MasterCard) - not every outlet accepts AMEX. You'll be grand!

[Chas]

I don't think that there would be an advantage at all.

All the major banks announced that they were going to phase out cheques with an end date of two years ago. It was only a massive protest by the charities and the senior customers that prevented it happening. Grudgingly the banks continued to issue cheques, but only if requested. The downside is that the recipient has to pay a charge to get it cashed. Most charities have moved over to plastic (credit/debit cards) for that reason.

The only places that accept Traveller's Checks (apart from large and expensive hotels), are banks or Bureau de Change offices, but as you are there, you might as well use plastic.

As an aside, don't forget that you will be exempt from VAT (20%) on goods (the kilt you buy), but not on services (the breakfast you ate before hand).

[Father Bill]

One word of caution on your bank card - in Canada we can have four or five digits on our security code, but when we were travelling in Europe, most of the machines would only accept a four-digit code. If it's a "fiver," change it before you travel.

[cessna152towser]

I can't think Travellers Cheques would be much use here. If you can find a bank to change them they will probably charge a hefty fee. Cash and a Credit Card will be your best friends.

[Dundonian.on.Islay]

Should we get them?

We have upgraded our credit cards to "chip and pin" and Joan has acquired a Schwab card/account which should allow us to use ATM machines more or less anywhere we can find one. Has anybody used Travelers Checks in Scotland in the past few years?

I work in a bank of Scotland branch and in honesty we see very few travellers cheques these days, you should be ok with your credit and debit cards, near enough all places with a chip and pin machine accept visa and mastercard whereas Amex is widely accepted too, just not to the same extent, you'll be ok with your chip and pin cards and actual currency

Also if you have a smartphone most uk banks have an atm finder either through an app or their websites.

Hope this helps

[Dundonian.on.Islay]

Aso this may sound really dumb, but make sure to notify your bank that you'll be travelling as your card may be declined / swallowed at an atm and they wont be able to give you your card back, we've had a few people caught out by this.

Cheers xD

[Carlo]

Aso this may sound really dumb, but make sure to notify your bank that you'll be travelling as your card may be declined / swallowed at an atm and they wont be able to give you your card back, we've had a few people caught out by this.

Cheers xD

Not dumb at all.
My mum had her credit card blocked when she tried to buy tickets online what a hassle.