Why paper is back - for Travellers Cheques at least

American Express Travellers Cheques are one of the safest and smartest ways of taking foreign currency abroad and can save travellers a significant amount of money by providing commission and charge free foreign currency which is easily accessible.

With the summer holidays fast approaching, American Express is encouraging travellers to think carefully about how they take money abroad.

Sarah Harrison, Director of American Express Travellers Cheques says, "The best option for travellers is to take a sensible mix of cash, credit or debit cards and prepaid forms of currency with them whilst abroad. Whilst prepaid cards are becoming more popular, the charges travellers incur by using them can be a sting in the tail. American Express Travellers Cheques offer additional benefits to prepaid cards and are available completely free of charge. Travellers Cheques are just like cash, but completely insured against loss and theft."

The Benefits of Taking Travellers Cheques

No hidden charges: Many travellers will have to pay application charges, monthly subscriptions and ATM fees if they choose to take a foreign currency prepaid cards on their holidays. However, American Express Travellers Cheques can be exchanged for cash free of charge from over 120,000 fee-free exchange partners worldwide.

Complete peace of mind: If your wallet is lost or stolen, American Express Travellers Cheques can be replaced virtually anywhere in the world, usually within 24 hours. American Express will also assist Travellers Cheque customers with passport replacement, helping to get a passport re-issued by providing advice and the necessary forms, and where possible arranging an interview at the consulate. They will also help with lost or stolen credit or debit cards.

Cash when you need it: American Express Travellers Cheques are welcomed around the world. They are available in numerous currencies and denominations and, unlike prepaid cards that require access to an ATM or acceptance of credit cards as payment, they can be exchanged at banks, foreign exchange bureaus and American Express Travel Services locations..

Budgeting bonus: For budget conscious travellers, using Travellers Cheques can help people to manage their spending. Travellers Cheques allow you to see exactly how much of your holiday spending money you have remaining so that you can manage your spending accordingly.

Never Expire: If you find that you have Travellers Cheques left over when you return from holiday you can hold onto them until the next trip taking advantage of any fluctuations in exchange rates during that period

Sarah Harrison, Director, American Express Travellers Cheques concludes: "The last thing people want to worry about when on holiday is money. Travellers Cheques are a vital part of a mixed wallet approach to travel money and give travellers peace of mind and security when abroad. American Express has been a trusted source of travel money for over 100 years and continues to be committed to bringing the benefits of Travellers Cheques to its customers."